Mediating ESG: Mapping individual responses to a changing field

Millar, John; Mueller, Frank; Carter, Chris

Abstract

Previous studies have called for more research into the human dimension of environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing. Drawing on formal interviews and informal conversations with 57 fund managers and investment analysts working in the city of Edinburgh, UK, this study explores how traditional investors have responded to the growth of ESG investing. We derive abductively six different positions which investors adopt: the Idealist, the Jaded Idealist, the Enthusiastic Mediator, the Tempered Mediator, the Moderniser and the Traditionalist. The paper contributes to the ESG investing literature by identifying and discussing these different positions; the main theoretical contribution is a new conceptualisation of the position and role of the mediator.

Citation

Millar, J., Mueller, F., & Carter, C. (2024). Mediating ESG: Mapping individual responses to a changing field. Critical Perspectives On Accounting, 100, Article 102766. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpa.2024.102766

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 23, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Sep 29, 2024
• Publication Date: 2024-12
• Deposit Date: Sep 25, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 10, 2024
• Journal: Critical Perspectives On Accounting
• Print ISSN: 1045-2354
• Electronic ISSN: 1095-9955
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 100
• Article Number: 102766
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpa.2024.102766
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/2866701
• Publisher URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/critical-perspectives-on-accounting