Overview
This theme examines how investors use ownership to address environmental, social and governance issues, and how these actions affect financial outcomes. Projects on coordinated engagements study large‑scale investor coalitions seeking to influence corporate behaviour on sustainability topics. Research on active ownership analyses how targeted engagement shapes corporate policies, performance and valuation. Work on materiality investigates which non‑financial disclosures matter most for long‑term investors and how information flows between companies, asset managers and asset owners.
Across these projects, the research uses detailed engagement records, survey evidence and market data to study when and how responsible ownership is effective. The findings inform debates on stewardship codes, ESG integration, and the design of engagement strategies, offering practical guidance to investors seeking to align long‑term value creation with broader environmental and social objectives.
Projects
News and insights
Research centre news
Honour for research on investor engagement
Paper by academics at the Centre for Endowment Asset Management at Cambridge Judge Business School is awarded Honourable Mention in the prestigious Moskowitz Prize for outstanding research on sustainable and responsible investing.
ESG and sustainability
Can business reset for climate goals, 10 years on?
A decade on from the Paris Agreement, the deepening climate crisis makes business action more critical than ever. Drawing on insights from Cambridge Judge Business School academics, this article highlights practical solutions and systemic changes needed to align business practices with sustainability and drive meaningful progress.
Research paper co-authored at Cambridge Judge Business School on how investors can influence companies on environmental and social issues is named best paper in the annual Brandes Institute Prize.
Business School announcements
Engaging award
Dr Oğuzhan Karakaş of Cambridge Judge wins Young Researcher award from Sabancı University School of Management in Istanbul for research on 'Coordinated Engagements'.
Insight
Effective engagement
Investor engagement on environmental, social and governance issues were examined at a conference organised by the Centre for Endowment Asset Management at Cambridge Judge and Principles for Responsible Investing.
Environmental and social engagement by investors helps firms improve both financial performance and governance, finds study co-authored by Elroy Dimson of Cambridge Judge Business School.