Institutional investors' information needs in the context of the sustainable finance disclosure regulation (EU/2019/2088): the implications for companies' sustainability reporting
Journal of Applied Accounting Research
ISSN: 0967-5426
Article publication date: 23 October 2023
Issue publication date: 30 October 2024
Abstract
Purpose
The paper aims to provide companies with a better understanding of the needs of institutional investors to improve the disclosure of sustainability information by companies. The study investigates the changed information needs of institutional investors resulting from the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR).
Design/methodology/approach
This study uses an internet-based survey instrument amongst institutional investors to gain insights into their needs regarding sustainability information. The authors received 155 responses in total and use descriptive statistics and t-tests to analyse the survey data.
Findings
The results demonstrate that the implementation of the SFDR challenges institutional investors, as it affects their decision process. Additionally, the findings still indicate a lack of available corporate sustainability information, making it even more challenging for institutional investors to make appropriate investment decisions. Respondents suggest that information on climate-related risks is more important than the European Union (EU) Taxonomy metrics for meeting the SFDR requirements.
Research limitations/implications
The findings are mainly restricted to the opinion of European investors. However, the evidence contributes to the existing literature by investigating institutional investors' information needs in the new regulatory landscape.
Practical implications
As the study provides insights into institutional investors' needs, reporting companies recognise the relevance of transparently providing sustainability information to be further considered in the investment process of institutional investors despite the regulation. The findings can help regulators develop uniform and global sustainability reporting standards.
Originality/value
This paper is the first to provide evidence on sustainability information requested on the institutional investors' side. The survey gathers primary data from professional investment members unavailable in databases or reports.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors thank two anonymous reviewers, Axel Hesse (HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management), Christian Hoffmann (University of Leipzig), Philipp Ottenstein (HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management), the participants of the RIC Conference 2021 at HHL and the participants of the EAA Conference 2022 in Bergen for helpful comments and suggestions that led to improvements. Further, the authors thank the participants of the testing, all the associations that forwarded the survey to their members and all participants of the survey who made this study possible.
Citation
Gebhardt, M., Schneider, A., Seefloth, M. and Zülch, H. (2024), "Institutional investors' information needs in the context of the sustainable finance disclosure regulation (EU/2019/2088): the implications for companies' sustainability reporting", Journal of Applied Accounting Research, Vol. 25 No. 5, pp. 913-942. https://doi.org/10.1108/JAAR-11-2022-0303
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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