ESG factors as tool for forming business reputation

The article focuses on the ESG factors determining the activities of most companies in recent years. The relationship between ESG principles and the business reputation of a modern company has been indicated. Business reputation is found to be formed under the influence of a number of factors, among which a responsible attitude to the environment, social responsibility and the quality of corporate governance have come out in the first place in recent years. The analysis proved that the ESG principles are firmly entrenched abroad, the number of companies with an ESG rating is growing exponentially, and their profitability is increasing. It has been stated that the Russian business has not yet included ESG principles as mandatory parameters of active investment strategies. The emphasis is put on the relationship with stakeholders, since it is the stakeholders who evaluate the company's activities from the standpoint of the degree of satisfaction of their needs. The conducted analysis has proved that an assessment includes not only profit maximization and dividend growth, but also the results of social and environmentally responsible practices of companies. It has been inferred that there is a relationship between the sustainable development of the company, its business reputation, the creation of ethical values and taking into account the interests of stakeholders in the company's strategy. It is emphasized that ESGs become an instrument of active investment strategies and a tool that determines the business reputation of the company. The practice of responsible ESG investment has been illustrated, the role of institutional investors in the dissemination of this practice has been highlighted.