Sustainability initiatives and corporate responsibility in banking, insurance, real estate, and financial services

Sustainabiltiy in the Finance Industry

The objective of this study is to answer the question of what the Global Knights Top 100 list is and to examine sustainability initiatives in the banking industry, the insurance industry, the real estate industry and the financial services industry. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is found in this study to be of primary importance for industry sustainability.

Global Knight Top 100 List

The Global 100 process is reported to start each year on the 1st of October at the time the starting universe for the index is reported to have been established. It is reported that the companies in the starting universe "are put through four screens, and the companies that emerge constitute the Global 100 Shortlist." (Corporate Knights, 2015, p. 1) It is reported that the companies in the Shortlist receive scores on the "priority KPIs for their particular GICS Industry" and that the 'top overall performers from each GIDS Sector are named to the Global 100." (Corporate Knights, 2015, p. 1) The Global 100 index from its beginning is reported to have delivered "a total return of 90.76% compared to 96.98% for its benchmark, the MSCI All Country World Index." (Corporate Knights, 2015, p. 1) According tot he report the Global Index has not fallen until this first year-end behind its benchmark and this is reported to be accredited to the U.S. Dollar rising since 81% of the constituents of the Global 100 trade "in non-U.S. denominated currencies, versus approximately 50% for the MSCI ACWI." (Corporate Knights, 2015, p. 1)

II. Sustainability Issues in the Banking Industry

The work of Zappi (2007) addresses sustainability in the banking industry and reports findings that there is a need for a "modular approach given to CSR and the need for integrating CSR into the 'fundamental strategic orientation' of a bank in order to mainstream CSR into the heart of business theory and practice." (p.1) The work of Curado (2008) reports that knowledge management is of primary importance in the banking industry along with intellectual capital.

II. Sustainability in the Insurance Industry

The work of Herweijer, Ranger and Ward (2009) reports that the insurance industry must necessarily adapt to climate changes in the area of underwriting through use of 'risk quantification approaches that include a forward-looking view of risk that is not purely grounded in historical experience." (p.1) Threatening the insurance industry in the long run are such as "insufficient adaptation in areas of rising risk" which might serve to threaten the "concept of insurability itself." ( Herweijer, Ranger and Ward, 2009, p. 1)

The work of Francalanci and Galal (1998) reports study findings that demonstrate "that increases in It expenses are associated with productivity benefits when accompanied by changes in worker composition." (p.1) Decreases in clerical workers and increases in IT have resulted in more sustainability in the insurance industry.

V. Sustainability in the Financial Services Industry

The work of Ogrizek (2002) addresses CSR in the financial Services Industry and reports mismanagement of CSR can badly harm a firm's reputation and the result is that there is a "direct negative impact on its business and bottom-line." (p.1) Akamavi (2005) reports study findings in a financial services industry sustainability investigation stating "Managers and executives should strategically rethink the stakeholders' roles, and the design and management of a NSD process. They should be aware of beneficial gains, which can be obtained from the process of stakeholder integration and involvement in NSD activities." (p.1)

Summary and Conclusion

Ranking among the top sustainability recommendations for all the industries reviewed in this study is that of corporate social responsibility requirements for ensuring industry sustainability in today's marketplace.