The heterogeneity of socially responsible investment

Sandberg, Joakim,1979Gothenburg University,Göteborgs universitet,Institutionen för filosofi, lingvistik och vetenskapsteori,Department of Philosophy, Linguistics and Theory of Science,Department of Philosophy, University of Gothenburg (författare)

Many writers have commented on the heterogeneity of the socially responsible investment (SRI) movement. However, few have actually tried to understand and explain it, and even fewer have discussed whether the opposite – standardisation – is possible and desirable. In this article, we take a broader perspective on the issue of the heterogeneity of SRI. We distinguish between four levels on which heterogeneity can be found: the terminological, definitional, strategic and practical. Whilst there is much talk about the definitional ambiguities of SRI, we suggest that there is actually some agreement on the definitional level. There are at least three explanations which we suggest can account for the heterogeneity on the other levels: cultural and ideological differences between different regions, differences in values, norms and ideology between various SRI stakeholders, and the market setting of SRI. Discussing the implications of the three explanations for the SRI market, we suggest that there is reason to be sceptical about the possibilities of standardisation if not standardisation is imposed top-down. Whether this kind of standardisation is desirable or not, we argue, depends on what the motives for it would be. To the extent that standardisation may facilitate the mainstreaming of SRI, it could be a good thing – but we entertain doubts about whether mainstreaming really requires standardisation.

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP Ekonomi och näringsliv Företagsekonomi hsv//swe
SOCIAL SCIENCES Economics and Business Business Administration hsv//eng
SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP Psykologi hsv//swe
SOCIAL SCIENCES Psychology hsv//eng
HUMANIORA Filosofi, etik och religion Filosofi hsv//swe
HUMANITIES Philosophy, Ethics and Religion Philosophy hsv//eng
ambiguity
business ethics
definitions
ethical investment
heterogeneity
mainstreaming
responsible investment
socially responsible investment
standardisation
sustainable investment
Business studies
Företagsekonomi
företagsekonomi
Business Studies
ambiguity - business ethics - definitions - ethical investment - heterogeneity - mainstreaming - responsible investment - socially responsible investment - standardisation - sustainable investment

Juravle, CarmenDepartment of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, BA2 7AY, U.K. (författare)
Hedesström, Martin,1969Gothenburg University,Göteborgs universitet,Psykologiska institutionen,Department of Psychology,Department of Psychology, University of Gothenburg(Swepub:gu)xhedte (författare)
Hamilton, Ian,1965-Umeå universitet,Handelshögskolan vid Umeå universitet (USBE)(Swepub:umu)iaha0001 (författare)
Göteborgs universitetInstitutionen för filosofi, lingvistik och vetenskapsteori (creator_code:org_t)

Ingår i:Journal of Business EthicsDordrecht : D. Reidel87:4, s. 519-5330167-45441573-0697

Av författaren/redakt...: Sandberg, Joakim ...; Juravle, Carmen; Hedesström, Mart ...; Hamilton, Ian, 1 ...

Om ämnet

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP: SAMHÄLLSVETENSKA ...; och Ekonomi och näri ...; och Företagsekonomi

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