Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

Sustainability focus within businesses has gained increased attention in recent decades, not least in the financial market in recent years. Even though sustainability has received increasing consideration and attention, research still shows that the concept is difficult to define as many definitions exist and at least as many approaches to achieving it. This means that the concept also becomes difficult to measure in practice.
In step with the increased attention to sustainability in the financial market, demand has also followed. To meet demand, many of today's financial institutions today offer sustainable funds. Sustainable funds are put together and managed by fund managers who work for the fund companies. Due to this, this study aimed to explore how sustainability is understood and integrated with the help of Environmental, Social and Governance factors and how these are assessed by fund managers in Sweden.
The study was conducted through a qualitative content analysis of three semi-structured interviews with three fund managers in Sweden. The study found that the understanding and definition of sustainability distinguish fund managers from each other and there is no clear consensus on the concept. It is through their understanding of the concept that sustainability is integrated into the investment processes using sustainable investment strategies and compliance with corporate policies. However, it is difficult to give a clear answer on how Environmental, Social and Governance factors are assessed as the fund managers rather assess an assessment already made and subsequently use different types of sustainable investment strategies to create an appropriate investment.