Programme: programme_VF.pdf
Call for papers
Workshop
Sustainability in the Financial System
Keynote speaker
Hisham Farag
Professor of Finance
Director, SFiC Research Centre
University of Birmingham
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015 and gave birth to the formation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These goals include ending poverty, addressing climate change, eliminating gender inequality, global cooperation, and ensuring inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
All countries, sectors, and businesses play a significant role in achieving these goals (Rendtorff, 2019). The financial industry is no exception, as highlighted by Dr. Theodor Weimer, CEO of the Deutsche Börse “Our path also includes our commitment to sustainability. The financial industry can – and must – become an “enabler”. Our industry has the opportunity to proactively support and drive forward the necessary transformation of economic value creation.” (Deutsche Börse Group Annual Report 2019, p. 4).
The financial sector has a significant role in transitioning to a sustainable world. Financial institutions can contribute to sustainability in two main ways: Externally, for example, by offering financial instruments (bonds, loans, options, etc.) for green or social projects, or internally, for example, by incorporating sustainable practices in their operations, asset management, and human resources. Financial institutions have also launched inclusive initiatives to address the problems of poverty and exclusion (Ben Slimane, 2023) by improving access to finance for specific groups such as females, young entrepreneurs, or more vulnerable groups, including the less well-off.
As we converge to deliberate on the intersections of sustainability, finance, social, and environmental performance, it is imperative to recognize the profound impact the financial sector wields in steering global efforts towards sustainability (Shuwaikh et al., 2022). The evolving landscape of sustainable finance, characterized by a surge in environmentally and socially conscious investments, presents a dynamic avenue for financial institutions to actively contribute to achieving SDGs (Avrampou et al., 2019). These institutions become architects of positive change by offering financial instruments tailored to support green and social initiatives.
In dissecting the complex relationship between finance, social, and environmental performance, we aim to explore the external role of financial institutions in funding sustainable projects and their internal commitment to incorporating eco-friendly practices within their operations. The innovative strides in financial products, including those led by Fintechs, are becoming instrumental in driving sustainable business practices, emphasizing the need for continuous financial innovation for sustainability (Huang & Ma, 2024; Li et al., 2023).
The role of investors is a key factor in properly implementing these new practices within companies and investment decisions. Investors provide the financial support to develop these initiatives. Their choice to invest in companies aligned with sustainable goals depends heavily on their confidence level and sentiment. Moreover, demand in stocks impacts asset performance from a short- and long-term perspective (Baker & Wurgler, 2006). Investor sentiment also impacts bonds, especially the green ones (Pham & Huynh, 2020; Piñeiro-Chousa et al., 2021). If investor sentiment is generally measured through proxies using financial market data, another stream of the literature focuses directly on studying behavior (Lewis & Juravle, 2010).
The aim of this workshop, organized by the Institut de Recherche en Gestion (IRG) and supported by the Fondation Université Gustave Eiffel, is to discuss recent academic contributions to a better understanding of sustainability in the financial system and its contribution to SDGs with a focus on the environment and societal dimensions, including diversity and inclusion. The workshop’s theme also considers the sentiment analysis of sustainable finance initiatives.
Topics of interest include (but are not limited to):
✔Green finance and investment policies
✔Impact of Green finance on financial performance and risk management
✔Diversity (gender, ethnic, cultural, etc.) and inclusion in the financial system
✔Impact of diversity and inclusion on financial performance and risk management
✔The engagement of financial institutions in a sustainable world
✔The role of regulation and policymaking in promoting sustainability in the financial sector
✔Financial innovation for sustainability (new financial products, new actors such as Fintechs, etc.)
✔Financial literacy
✔Investors sentiment in sustainable investment (quantitative or qualitative study, behavioral finance)
This meeting aims to bring together academics and practitioners to share their research findings and discuss current and challenging issues in sustainable finance research. The meeting is also an occasion for all scholars to present their research, exchange research ideas and experiences, and develop research projects.
call for papers
