Socially Responsible Investment Funds: a review of research priorities and strategic options

摘要

This is the first literature review on Socially Responsible Investment (SRI) funds. Although SRI funds flourish, we know very little about these investment vehicles. This article reviews academic literature on SRI funds published during the past 25 years. It discusses the current state of theoretical research on SRI funds and identifies future research opportunities by analysing the characteristics, contents and methodological aspects of the literature and identifying research priorities and strategic options. Current research on SRI funds, it is shown, typically departs from a financial perspective and focuses predominantly on financial performance. In addition, most research is produced at European and North American universities, and there is little attention for social performance or discussion about the principles underlying SRI funds. We therefore argue that important future research opportunities exist with regard to the promise of SRI funds to attain both their financial and social goals.