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Religious organisations as investors: a Christian perspective on shareholder engagement

Author

Listed:
  • Katinka C. van Cranenburgh

    (ESADE - École supérieure d'administration et de direction d'entreprises = Escola Superior d'Administració i Direcció d'Empreses [Ramon Llull University])

  • Daniel Arenas

    (ESADE - École supérieure d'administration et de direction d'entreprises = Escola Superior d'Administració i Direcció d'Empreses [Ramon Llull University])

  • Jennifer Goodman

    (ESADE - École supérieure d'administration et de direction d'entreprises = Escola Superior d'Administració i Direcció d'Empreses [Ramon Llull University])

  • Céline Louche

    (Audencia Recherche - Audencia Business School)

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to deepen the discussion about religious organisations' (ROs) potential to practise their faith by means of their investments, rather than keeping both issues separate. The authors adopted a qualitative exploratory approach using seven cases of social shareholder engagement (SSE) by Christian organisations. It focused on creating knowledge from best practices. Within the three Christian organisations studied, the authors identified three significant features that relate to their religious nature and affect their SSE: having a structured belief system, a grassroots network and a long-term perspective. These features can be instrumental in impacting company behaviour and society at large. The authors chose three ROs for their relevance and comparative features, but this limited sample size makes it hard to generalise the research findings. This paper invites ROs to review their potential for actively owning their shares to be consistent with their faith and create change in business and society at large. Besides, ROs, with their unwavering belief system, extensive grassroots networks and long-term approach, are a force in the shareholder engagement field to be reckoned with by business. The paper presents multi cases of ROs active in using their investments to create change in companies and society at large.

Suggested Citation

  • Katinka C. van Cranenburgh & Daniel Arenas & Jennifer Goodman & Céline Louche, 2014. "Religious organisations as investors: a Christian perspective on shareholder engagement," Post-Print hal-01067933, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-01067933
    DOI: 10.1108/SBR-11-2013-0078
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://audencia.hal.science/hal-01067933
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Eric Cornuel & André Habisch & Pierre Kletz, 2010. "The practical wisdom of the Catholic social teachings," Post-Print hal-00537072, HAL.
    2. Kirsten Anderson & Ian Ramsay & Shelley Marshall & Richard Mitchell, 2007. "Union Shareholder Activism in the Context of Declining Labour Law Protection: four Australian case studies," Corporate Governance: An International Review, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 15(1), pages 45-56, January.
    3. Céline Louche & Daniel Arenas & Katinka Cranenburgh, 2012. "From Preaching to Investing: Attitudes of Religious Organisations Towards Responsible Investment," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 110(3), pages 301-320, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Auzepy, Alix & Bannier, Christina E. & Martin, Fabio, 2023. "Walk the talk: Shareholders' soft engagement at annual general meetings," CFS Working Paper Series 689, Center for Financial Studies (CFS).
    2. Krystin Zigan & Alan Le Grys, 2018. "Towards an Understanding of Social Responsibility Within the Church of England," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 149(3), pages 535-560, May.

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