Anecdotal evidence suggests that the term “impact investing” was coined at a gathering organized by the Rockefeller Foundation, an institution in the hands of one of the most prominent business families in the world. This case is not isolated, and many key players in the impact investing ecosystem stem from business-owning families. In this research program, we try to understand why and in which different ways individual family members and families engage in impact investing, ESG investing, and venture philanthropy.

 

PUBLISHED: Cruz, C., Justo, R., & Roche, J. (2021). Engaging in a new field: business-owning families’ differential approach to impact investing. European Journal of Family Business11(1), 21-32.

 

WORKING PAPER: Roche, J., Justo, R., Cruz, C., & Pareja, B. Welcome to my house: a social identity perspective on family impact investors’ approaches to impact investing

  • This multiple case study of 12 impact investors born to business families look at why and in which ways the investors approach impact investing
  • Conference presentations: this paper has been presented in international academic conferences including the International Family Enterprise Research Academy Conference, the Strategic Management Society conference, and various publishing workshops (Academy of Management Journal, Journal of Management Studies, etc.).
  • Awards: It got nominated for best research proposal at the IFERA conference in 2022.