Electronic Theses and Dissertations (Masters)

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    An initial study of disclosures related to responsible investing implementation
    (2021) Jacobson, Lori Tasmin
    Financial institutions (FIs) such as banks, insurance companies and pension funds have a significant impact on the environment through the financing they provide. Companies such as mining and oil and gas companies receive funding and use this for different projects, some of which have severe environmental and social consequences. This study examined the extent to which both the grantor of finance and the receiver of finance identify and apply responsible investment (RI) practices when making investment decisions. RI disclosure in the integrated reports of companies was examined to assist with the research. The study also examines if there is a relationship between companies listed on the FTSE/JSE RI index and the FTSE/JSE RI Top 30 index and the extent of their RI disclosure. The results of this research indicate that the extent of RI disclosure in FIs in South Africa is limited. The research further found that the extent of RI disclosure for the mining and oil and gas companies was stronger than for FI’s. Finally, the research found that there appears to be a correlation between companies listed on the indices and their RI disclosure. This was noted as companies on the indices have stronger RI disclosures than companies not on the index
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    ESG reporting and the institutional shareholder base: a quantitative study of listed companies on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange
    (2019) Moikwatlhai, Kagisho Benjamin
    Previous research findings suggest that companies within developed markets which report on environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues attract a long term oriented institutional investor base. Against this background, the purpose of this study was to assess whether this relationship holds true within an emerging market context. Using cross-sectional time series data for 114 Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) listed companies over the period 2012 to 2016, this study investigated whether the integration of ESG factors in investor decision making has resulted in investments being held into the long term by institutional investors and whether this relationship varies between different sectors of the JSE. The results were based on a regression analysis which was performed employing data from the Thomson Reuters ASSET4 platform as a proxy for ESG reporting scores against institutional investor shareholdings. The results did not indicate a statistically meaningful relationship between ESG reporting and the long term oriented institutional investor base even at the industry level. The results did not appear to be consistent with similar studies in developed markets, partly as a consequence of the JSE comprising greater quasi institutional investors as compared to dedicated investors. The results suggest that institutional investor’s commitment to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment (UN PRI) and Code for Responsible Investing in South Africa (CRISA) is yet to translate into investments in JSE companies being held long term. These findings motivate for further academic analysis of ESG-long term investor relationship, to policy setters the results call for greater consideration to be given to policy changes or industry guidance in order to ensure that the objectives as set out by the UN PRI and CRISA are achieved.