From self-perception to investment decisions: the impact of core self-evaluation and social values on sustainable investments

Purpose Socially responsible investment (SRI) has become a prominent strategy aimed at tackling social issues. In the rapidly expanding landscape of SRI, understanding investors’ perspectives is crucial. This study seeks to bridge this gap by examining the impact of investors’ core self-evaluation traits and social value orientation on their investment decisions. Design/methodology/approach The convenient sampling technique was employed to gather data from 378 Indian retail investors through a structured questionnaire. The collected data was then investigated and interpreted using multinomial logistic regression facilitated by the SPSS 26 software. Findings The results of our study reveal a significant relation between investors’ core self-evaluation traits and their choice of SRI funds. Specifically, investors with higher levels of self-esteem, general self-efficacy, lower neurotic tendencies and stronger ethical and social image concerns are more likely to select SRI funds. Practical implications Gaining insight into the intrinsic motivations of investors can assist fund managers in customising portfolios to align with their preferences while also enabling policymakers to devise strategies that promote good corporate governance and the fulfilment of SDGs. Originality/value This research stands out for its unique exploration of the impact of CSE traits and SVO on investment decisions. It distinguishes itself by providing a pioneering analysis of the influence that inherent characteristics, values and risk tolerance have on investors’ investment decisions.