Acceptance of sustainability concept by Polish individual investors

Abstract

Purpose: Currently, we can observe legislative pressure for sustainable changes that also includes sustainable finance. As a result, sustainable investment from subsidiary trend, will become dominating one. Therefore, the subject of this study is acceptance of sustainable development concept in Poland, especially among individual investors. Design/Methodology/Approach: In the article, the following research methods were used, analysis of the literature of the subject with the legal acts and desk research as well. The theory was complemented with survey on individual investors sample. Findings: The research has demonstrated that there is social acceptance for activities undertaken in the field of sustainable development. The respondents accepted the transformation toward sustainable society. Nevertheless, its current level is unsatisfactory. Investors considered the information on CSR as having the lowest informative usefulness. As many as 21% of respondents found them completely useless (0% useful) and 43% as very unhelpful (1-10% information usefulness). Practical Implications: The discussion should focus around so improve the usefulness of various parts of the financial statements for external stakeholders, especially investors. Particular attention should be paid to the part presenting non-financial data, which is currently perceived as very useless by individual investors. Originality/value: Analysis of the following issues: Are Polish individual investors taking into consideration corporate social responsibility during investment decision. Research carried out on the individual investors should be considered valuable, because there is a lack of research on the important elements for sustainable development activities within that group of participants on the capital market. Hence, the research made has a unique character.