Socially Responsible Investment in a Rising Populism Environment

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study is to examine a framework of ESG elements and constituents to investigate socially responsible investment in a rising populist environment through a literature review.   Theoretical framework: Socially responsible investment aims for long-term sustainability by combining financial return with positive change in the environment. The transformation of India’s populism towards environmental sustainability drives enterprises to incorporate ESG (environment, social, and governance) practices for the long term and craves to be an efficient tool for socially responsible investment.   Design/methodology/approach: This paper offers an overview of many reviews that are connected to the study's main terms while also discussing literature reviews as a research methodologyand all data in the study comes from these secondary sources.   Findings: As a result, this study finds out responsible investors' appetite for the identification of sustainability indicators and constituents and hunts for enterprise disclosures regarding their accomplishments towards ESG factors. The study focuses on developing an ESG constituent framework by integrating ESG compliances determined by a systematic review of literature, Global Reporting Initiative Standards, and other reporting standards.    Research, Practical & Social Implications:Although this study was carried with the intention of providing socially responsible investors with a useful tool, more extensive study is warranted before an empirical analysis of SRI firms' performance can be conducted, and the study could also benefit from being extended into an international context in order to better assess the performance of ESG firms.   Originality/Value:This study uses a five-year thematic analysis of S&P BSE 500 firms to determine which are most committed to corporate social responsibility.The study also helps investors by providing useful information about corporate ESG compliance.