George Serafeim

George Serafeim is a professor at Harvard Business School whose research has focused on how ESG factors relate to financial performance, corporate purpose, and stakeholder engagement. His work on "material" ESG factors — those most likely to be financially significant for specific industries — contributed to the development of the SASB (Sustainability Accounting Standards Board) standards. His impact-weighted accounting research attempts to quantify social and environmental value created or destroyed by firms. Serafeim is among the most cited academics on sustainable finance. His research examining the link between corporate ESG performance and employee satisfaction, customer loyalty, and long-run shareholder returns has provided institutional investors with an empirical basis for incorporating sustainability considerations into their investment frameworks beyond regulatory compliance or reputational risk management.