Seven Myths of ESG

15 Pages Posted: 5 Nov 2021

See all articles by David F. Larcker

David F. Larcker

Stanford University - Graduate School of Business; European Corporate Governance Institute (ECGI); Stanford University - Hoover Institution

Brian Tayan

Stanford University - Graduate School of Business

Edward M. Watts

Yale School of Management

Date Written: November 4, 2021

Abstract

The trend to incorporate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) matters into corporate boardrooms and capital markets is pervasive. Nevertheless, considerable uncertainty exists over what ESG is, how it should be implemented, and its financial and nonfinancial impacts on corporate outcomes and fund performance. In this Closer Look, we explore seven commonly accepted myths surrounding ESG, many of which are not supported by empirical evidence.

We ask:
• What is ESG expected to solve: short-termism by corporate managers or a deeper problem of corporations profiting at the expense of stakeholders?
• Does ESG increase corporate value, or does it represent an incremental cost incurred for society?
• How much ESG investment is new (incremental) investment, and how much repackaging of existing spending?
• Why is governance included as the G in ESG?
• Is it possible to develop a reliable measure of ESG quality?
• Can standardized ESG reporting be done in an informative and cost-effective manner?

Keywords: Corporate governance, ESG, environmental, social, governance, sustainability, socially responsible investing, corporate responsibility, sustainability, ESG ratings, ESG initiatives, ESG disclosure, board of directors, corporate governance research

Suggested Citation

Larcker, David F. and Tayan, Brian and Watts, Edward, Seven Myths of ESG (November 4, 2021). Rock Center for Corporate Governance at Stanford University Working Paper Forthcoming, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3956044

David F. Larcker (Contact Author)

Stanford University - Graduate School of Business ( email )

Graduate School of Business
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Stanford, CA 94305-5015
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650-725-6159 (Phone)

European Corporate Governance Institute (ECGI) ( email )

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1000 Brussels
Belgium

Stanford University - Hoover Institution ( email )

Stanford, CA 94305
United States

Brian Tayan

Stanford University - Graduate School of Business ( email )

655 Knight Way
Stanford, CA 94305-5015
United States

Edward Watts

Yale School of Management ( email )

165 Whitney Ave
New Haven, CT 06511

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