Socially responsible investments (SRIs) – mapping the research field

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to perform a mapping of the studies field about socially responsible investments (SRI), showing the different existing lines of research about nowadays theme. Additionally, the study shows considerations and prospects possible future agenda of research related to the SRI thematic.

Design/methodology/approach

It was performed a systematic literature review from a database of 691 articles selected in the ISI Web of Science. The computer software – HistCite is used to define the lines of research.

Findings

Based on the study and analysis of the identified lines of research, future study possibilities in this area were shown. So, it was identified five lines of research, which were named by the construction of SRI portfolio, investors’ behavior, SRI versus corporate social responsibility, institutional investors and comparison between conventional investors and SRI. These lines were evidenced in a citation map.

Originality/value

This paper complements the existing literature reviews, as it uses a broader time horizon (1981 to 2018) and has a different approach, using the HistCite^TM software, which enabled the identification of the different lines of research related to SRI. Additionally, it has been raised ten possible ways to future studies related to the SRI thematic.

Citation

Barroso, J.S.S. and Araújo, E.A. (2021), "Socially responsible investments (SRIs) – mapping the research field", Social Responsibility Journal, Vol. 17 No. 4, pp. 508-523. https://doi.org/10.1108/SRJ-06-2019-0204