Coping with impact investing antagonistic objectives: A multistakeholder approach

Abstract

Impact investing (II) aims to achieve positive social and environmental impact and create blended value through sustainable value propositions. Building and expanding on a diverse and growing research corpus on socially responsible investing (SRI), social impact bonds (SIB) and social enterprises our study investigates the structuring elements of impact investing, its dynamics and trajectory. A particular emphasis is placed on the complex web of interactions among numerous stakeholders (i.e. banks, institutional investors, portfolio managers, public, for-profit and nonprofit organizations and social enterprises) with opposing objectives and antagonistic assets in sourcing and channeling financial resources. This paper highlights the importance of adopting a multistakeholder approach when examining the financial ecosystem within which II intermediaries operate and collaborate achieve maximum social and environmental impact.