Socially responsible investment: differences between Europe and the United States

Abstract

Since the early 1970s, Socially Responsible Investment (SRI) has grown from a curiosity and niche-market phenomenon in the financial world to become a global movement, which is embraced now in most countries around the world. The paper focuses on the development and practices of SRI in the United States and Europe. The aim is to explore the historical, cultural and political embeddedness of SRI. Based on second sources of information, it offers a comparative analysis of the development and current practices of SRI on both sides of the Atlantic and discusses the future trends for SRI. The paper shows that SRI movements in both regions present some differences in terms of definitions, actors involved, vocabulary and motivations, and strategies implemented. However, they also share a common underlying purpose and seeking similar goals of improving corporations' policies and practices on social and environmental issues. Key words: Socially Responsible Investment, Europe, United States