Title: The role of ethical advisors in promoting socially responsible investments

Authors: Fabio Corno, Silvia Fossati, Filippo Simioni

Addresses: Department of Sociology, Milano-Bicocca University, Via Bicocca degli Arcimboldi, 8 Edificio U7, 20126 Milano, Italy. ' Department of Accounting, Cattaneo University, Corso Matteotti n.22, 21053 Castellanza, Italy. ' Sicurglobal Spa, Via Gallarate 207, 20151 Milano, Italy

Abstract: Socially responsible investments include environmental, social or ethical considerations in the set of criteria underlying investment decisions. The public at large is showing an increasing propensity to take them into account when deciding how to invest. This is why the assessment processes of corporate social performance must be formalised according to transparent procedures defining the underlying criteria as objectively as possible. All players in these processes are interested in their correct working. In this paper we analyse the role of ethical advisors, specialised entities or individuals who are expected to define measurement parameters to evaluate social responsible behaviours.

Keywords: ethics; social responsibility; sustainability; socially responsible investments; ethical advisors; social responsibility evaluation; corporate social performance; ethical funds; ethical index; Italy; transparency; independence; verifiability.

DOI: 10.1504/IJAAPE.2005.009592

International Journal of Accounting, Auditing and Performance Evaluation, 2005 Vol.2 No.4, pp.356 - 398

Published online: 02 May 2006 *

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