Portuguese Investor’s Perception of Investing in Companies With ESG Practices

Objective: The objective of this study is to identify the perceptions of Portuguese investors regarding ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) factors. It also aims to identify the criteria that lead investors to consider, or not, ESG criteria in their decisions. Theoretical Framework: The concept of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) has emerged as a fundamental framework for assessing the sustainability and ethical impact of companies. Its three dimensions – environmental, social, and governance – address different aspects of business operations and are increasingly considered in investment decisions and in the integration of their practices in companiesIn this topic, the main concepts and theories that underpin the research are presented. Method: Based on a quantitative approach, 118 questionnaires were collected from Portuguese individuals, with the aim of deepening the understanding of this phenomenon and obtaining empirical data that can contribute to the academic and practical debate on the impact of these criteria in the business context. Results and Discussion: The results obtained revealed [synthesize the main results of the research]. In the discussion section, these results are contextualized in light of the theoretical framework, highlighting the implications and relationships identified. Possible discrepancies and limitations of the study are also considered in this section. Research Implications: The results of this study highlight the complexity of investment decisions in the ESG context and the diversity of factors that influence investor behavior. Familiarity with these factors emerges as a key variable, while other demographic factors such as age, education and location have a less evident influence. Originality/Value: This research contributes to the field of socially responsible investing by identifying the variables that influence the adoption of ESG-aligned investment practices. However, further research is needed to understand how psychological, institutional and cultural factors may interact and influence investors’ perceptions of ESG practices, thus creating a broader field for future research.