Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Integration and Organizational Change : A multi-case study of investment companies

Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) data has been seen as a tool to implement Sustainability in investment companies. This non-financial data has brought along new type of information into the investment process, resulting in a profound transformation for companies. In order to adapt to the new realities of climate change and social challenges, companies must understand that changes in organization processes are essential to address the outcomes that ESG data will bring. Organizational changes are often caused by internal and external factors, allowing organizations to develop new processes and results that can influence the adoption of a new organizational culture approach. This study analyzes the essential organizational changes in terms of structure and culture. The authors used a multi-case study of two Asset management companies and an external group of experts to do so. The case analysis was conducted through a qualitative content analysis based on semi-structured interviews with nine employees and two external experts within the Asset Management industry. The study results show that ESG plays a vital role in organizational development, forcing structural changes and a new approach toward organizational culture in Asset Management companies.