Institutional and Social Investors Find Common Ground

Institutional investors, acting in a fiduciary capacity, are increasingly using their leverage as shareholders to influence corporate behavior on social responsibility and governance issues. Most institutional investors tend to focus on shareholder advocacy—selectively engaging portfolio companies to help strengthen social, environmental, and corporate governance performance. Numerous examples of successful engagement have been seen in changes in company practices and policies or increased transparency on issues of concern. Motivated by the belief that long-term shareholder value is enhanced by their actions, more corporate leaders are evincing that fiduciary responsibility and corporate social responsibility are related and compatible goals.