Style-changing behaviour in the socially responsible mutual fund industry: consequences on financial and sustainable performance
Sustainability Accounting, Management and Policy Journal
ISSN: 2040-8021
Article publication date: 1 February 2021
Issue publication date: 26 August 2021
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine style-deviation practices in the socially responsible mutual funds (SMRF) industry i.e. how mutual funds game their stated financial objectives to earn a higher relative performance ranking. In addition, the consequences of such practices on sustainable scores and money flows are studied.
Design/methodology/approach
A sample of 454 US equity SRMFs is studied. This paper uses panel regressions controlling for time and style fixed-effects.
Findings
This study finds that 17.60% of SRMF managers in the sample are engaged in style deviation practices. These practices positively impact the sustainable performance of SRMFs and negatively impact their financial performance. One effect offsets the other and they consequently do not affect money flows. Another finding is that only investors with lower portfolio sustainability scores do show return-chaser behaviour.
Practical implications
This paper reveals that SRMF managers deviating from their stated financial style face a dilemma that is non-existent for their conventional peers that is style deviation practices affect financial and sustainable performance in opposing ways, whereas SRMF investor utility depends positively on both dimensions. The findings are not conclusive about the effectiveness of style deviation practices in attracting SRMF money flows.
Social implications
SRMF industry has experienced tremendous growth in the past decade. The increased competition in this industry has led managers to strive to attract investors, sometimes by relying on irregular practices that enhance their portfolio results. Regulators should consider how to avoid such perverse behaviour with a view to improving mutual funds transparency.
Originality/value
This is the first research that analyses style deviation practices and their consequences for the SRMF industry.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to express their thanks to the Aragon government for funding received as part of the Public and Official Research Group (S38_20R CIBER Análisis Económico-Financiero de la Empresa y los Mercados), to Universidad de Zaragoza and Fundación Ibercaja for the financial support provided for the research project JIUZ-2018-SOC-13 (268-249), and to Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades for the project grant RTI2018-093483-B-I00 (MCIU/AEI/FEDER).
Citation
Muñoz, F., Vargas, M. and Vicente, R. (2021), "Style-changing behaviour in the socially responsible mutual fund industry: consequences on financial and sustainable performance", Sustainability Accounting, Management and Policy Journal, Vol. 12 No. 5, pp. 1027-1051. https://doi.org/10.1108/SAMPJ-03-2020-0084
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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