Investment Ethics

The recent economic crisis further underscores the importance of ethics, which is why finance professionals will turn to this authoritative text. It provides them with an applied and practical understanding. Critical thinking questions offer more thought provoking exercises to get them to learn the material. Related cases in the chapters help spark more thoughtful analysis of the issues that are raised. Numerous projects show how to apply investment theory and analysis as well as integrate ethical considerations. Appendices are also included in relevant chapters that review basics in investments and accounting. This material will help finance professionals examine the ethical practices of the companies and organisations they recommend.

Ethical investment has made great strides in recent years, but many professional investors and most IFAs (from whom the majority of the public still get their investment advice) remain unsure about this fast growing sector. This book helps professionals to: Understand the ethical dimension in investment and, in particular, the economic and investment value considerations that underpin investments with an ethical and socially responsible focus Include consideration of the ethical dimension in their 'know your client' process Analyse and summarise their client's ethical concerns and priorities and how these translate to investment considerations Select ethical and socially responsible funds whose profiles best match their clients' concerns and priorities

International Investment Management: Theory, Practice, and Ethics synthesizes investment principles, Asian financial practice, and ethics reflecting the realities of modern international finance. These topics are studied within the Asian context, first through the medium of case studies and then via the particular conditions common in those markets including issues of religion and philosophy. This book has a three part structure beginning with the core principles behind the business of investments including securities analysis, asset allocation and a comprehensive analysis of modern finance theory. This gives students a comprehensive understanding of investment management by going through the theories, ethics and practice of investment management. This text provides a detailed overview of International Banking Law and International Securities Regulation, alongside legal and ethics case studies which are located in the practice section of the book. This book is an essential text for business and law school students who wish to have a thorough understanding of investment management. It is also perfect as a core text for undergraduate finance majors and graduate business students pursuing a finance, and/or business ethics concentration, with particular focus on Asia.

This volume breaks new ground by approaching Socially Responsible Investment (SRI) as an explicitly ethical practice in financial markets. The work explains the philosophical and practical shortcomings of ’long term shareholder value’ and the origins and conceptual structure of SRI, and links its pursuit to both its deeper philosophical foundations and the broader, multi-dimensional global movement towards greater social responsibility in global markets. Interviews with fund managers in the Australian SRI sector generate recommendations for better integrating ethics into SRI practice via ethically informed engagement with invested companies, and an in-depth discussion of the central practical SRI issue of fiduciary responsibility strengthens the case in favour of SRI. The practical and ethical theoretical perspectives are then brought together to sketch out an achievable ideal for SRI worldwide, in which those who are involved in investment and business decisions become part of an ’ethical chain’ of decision makers linking the ultimate owners of capital with the business executives who frame, advocate and implement business strategies. In between there are investment advisors, fund managers, business analysts and boards. The problem lies in the fact that the ultimate owners are discouraged from considering their own values, or even their own long term interests, whilst the others often look only to short term interests. The solution lies in the latter recognising themselves as links in the ethical chain.

Seminar paper from the year 2010 in the subject Business economics - Business Ethics, Corporate Ethics, grade: A, University of Leeds, language: English, abstract: The contemporary world of today functions on investment. There are many types of investment such as investment in property, shares, mutual funds, sugar, gold, oil, rice etcetera (Theodore , 1992). The list goes on and on with some forms of investment so inanely mundane like investment in over priced paintings by unknown artists that one is forced to shake their heads at the inanes of how far the concept of investment has come since its inception. Investment is described in dictionary as: “In finance, investment is the purchase of a financial product or other item of value with an expectation of favorable future returns. In general terms, investment means the use money in the hope of making more money. In business it is the purchase by a producer of a physical good, such as durable equipment or inventory, in the hope of improving future business.” Gambling on the other hand is almost as old as investment itself and its exact origins are unknown. Scientists believe that the ancient Romans would bet on the outcomes of chariot races and gladiator fights. It could be defined as: “...the wagering of money or something of material value on an event with an uncertain outcome with the primary intent of winning additional money and/or material goods. Typically, the outcome of the wager is evident within a short period (Linda , 2006).”