Is ESG commitment linked to investment performance in the real estate sector?

The linkage between corporate commitment to environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues and investment performance has generated a substantial body of research outside the real estate sector. Nevertheless, the relationship between the environmental performance and financial performance of companies is still not well understood as studies have found mixed and contradicting results. Drawing upon the KLD database which contains ratings on seven ESG dimensions from 2003-2009, this paper investigates the relationship between the ESG rating and the financial performance of a sample of US real estate firms. Since the primary transmission channel from ESG activities to financial performance may be better reflected by a firm's intangible assets, we model both Tobin's q and the total annual return in a panel framework with time and sector specific fixed effects. Our results are largely consistent with the existing literature finding a positive relationship between CFP and CSP. Further, the time scale of the lagged effects seems plausible.

The ebbing hegemon? An evolutionary perspective on the emergence of holistic governance and the efficient role of Institutional Investors in Environmental, Social and Governance issues (ESG)

This paper seeks to chronicle the roots of corporate governance form its narrow shareholder perspective to the current bourgeoning stakeholder approach while giving cognizance to institutional investors and their effective role in ESG in light of the King Report III of South Africa. It is aimed at a critical review of the extant literature from the shareholder Cadbury epoch to the present day King Report novelty. We aim to: (i) offer an analytical state of corporate governance in the Anglo-Saxon world, Middle East and North Africa (MENA), Far East Asia and Africa; and (ii) illuminate the lead role the king Report of South Africa is playing as the bellwether of the stakeholder approach to corporate governance as well as guiding the role of institutional investors in ESG.

Realisable climate change narratives in public discourse: an East/West comparative analysis of environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) as a response to global climate change

This thesis looks at how non-experts develop an opinion on climate change, and how those opinions could be changed by public discourse. I use Hubert Dreyfus’ account of skill acquisition to distinguish between experts and non-experts. I then use a combination of Walter Fisher’s narrative paradigm and the hermeneutics of Paul Ricœur to explore how non-experts form opinions, and how public narratives can provide a point of critique. In order to develop robust narratives, they must be financially realistic. I therefore consider the burgeoning field of environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) analysis as a way of informing realistic public narratives. I identify a potential problem with this approach: the Western assumptions of ESG analysis might make for public narratives that are not convincing to a non-Western audience. I then demonstrate how elements of the Chinese tradition, the Confucian, Neo-Confucian, and Daoist schools, as presented by David Hall and Roger Ames, can provide alternative assumptions to ESG analysis so that the public narratives will be more culturally adaptable. This research contributes to the discipline by bringing disparate traditions together in a unique way, into a practical project with a view towards applications. I conclude by considering avenues for further research.

O olhar da população vimaranense através da imprensa local da Capital Europeia da Cultura

A nomeação de Guimarães como Capital Europeia da Cultura (CEC) em 2012, para além de suscitar o natural orgulho e reforçar a auto-estima dos residentes, veio colocar na ordem do dia a necessidade de medir os efeitos que a concretização deste mega-evento pode provocar na cidade e no resto do município. A discussão dos benefícios e dos custos e um alargado envolvimento da comunidade tende a permitir encontrar formas de reduzir os impactos negativos e aumentar os impactos positivos. Para isto, importa realizar debates e promover a participação e envolvimento da comunidade. Esta comunicação analisa o envolvimento da população e das associações locais na Capital Europeia da Cultura 2012 através da cobertura feita pela imprensa local à preparação do evento. A análise de conteúdo às notícias publicadas abrangeu o período que medeia entre Janeiro e Agosto de 2011 e respeitou a dois semanários locais. Com base na análise efectuada, pode concluir-se que tem existido uma forte reacção negativa por parte da população e das associações locais à entidade organizadora da CEC 2012, que colocam em questão o envolvimento e participação prevista dos vimaranenses no evento. Resta saber se a nova gestão, nomeada em Agosto de 2011, será capaz de recuperar o entusiasmo e apoio da população vimaranense ao projecto a tempo de se constituir como um factor de sucesso deste mega-evento.

Lições de Direito e Processo Penal, Solicitadoria, 3º Ano, Escola Superior de Gestão do Instituto Politécnico do Cávado e do Ave, Ano Lectivo de 2014/2015

Lições de Direito e Processo Penal, Solicitadoria, 3º Ano, Escola Superior de Gestão do Instituto Politécnico do Cávado e do Ave, Ano Lectivo de 2014/2015 § Lessons of Law and Criminal Procedure, Solicitors, 3rd Year, School of Management of the Polytechnic Institute of Cávado and Ave, Academic Year 2014/2015

Lições de Direito Económico e Financeiro, Gestão Bancária e Seguros, 1º Ano, Escola Superior de Gestão do Instituto Politécnico do Cávado e do Ave, Ano Lectivo de 2014/2015

Lições de Direito Económico e Financeiro, Gestão Bancária e Seguros, 1º Ano, Escola Superior de Gestão do Instituto Politécnico do Cávado e do Ave, Ano Lectivo de 2014/2015 § Lessons from the Economic and Financial Law, Banking and Insurance Management, 1st Year, School of Management of the Polytechnic Institute of Cávado and Ave, Academic Year 2014/2015.