Emerging Trends and Innovations in Corporate Finance and Governance
A special issue of Journal of Risk and Financial Management (ISSN 1911-8074). This special issue belongs to the section "Business and Entrepreneurship".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2025 | Viewed by 786
Special Issue Editor
Interests: corporate finance; corporate governance; quantitative finance; sustainable development
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The field of corporate finance and governance is continuously evolving, with emerging trends and innovations reshaping how companies operate and interact with stakeholders. One key trend is the growing importance of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors in decision making. Investors and consumers are increasingly prioritizing companies that demonstrate a commitment to sustainability, ethical practices, and social responsibility, leading firms to integrate ESG criteria into their financial strategies and corporate governance frameworks. Another significant development is the rise of digital transformation, particularly through the adoption of advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and blockchain. These innovations are revolutionizing financial reporting, risk management, and transaction processes, providing more efficiency, transparency, and real-time decision making. Blockchain, in particular, is enhancing security in financial transactions and enabling decentralized finance (DeFi), which is challenging traditional banking systems. In the realm of corporate governance, there is a push towards greater transparency and accountability. Shareholder activism is on the rise, with investors pushing for more influence over company decisions, particularly related to executive compensation, diversity, and long-term strategic direction. This shift is driving companies to adopt more inclusive and responsive governance structures, with an emphasis on board diversity and stakeholder engagement. Furthermore, the rise of remote work and the changing nature of global business have prompted companies to rethink their financial strategies. Digital tools for virtual collaboration and management, coupled with the globalization of markets, are pushing businesses to develop more agile financial models that can adapt to rapidly changing environments. Therefore, the convergence of technological advancements, sustainability concerns, and evolving governance practices is redefining corporate finance, leading to a more transparent, efficient, and socially responsible business landscape. These changes are likely to continue influencing how companies operate and interact with stakeholders in the future.
The topics could cover a broad range of contemporary issues that blend theoretical perspectives and empirical research, not limited to the role of corporate governance in promoting sustainability, FinTech and the disruption of traditional corporate finance, blockchain technology in corporate governance, AI and machine learning in financial decision making, governance structures and CEO pay–performance sensitivity, corporate governance in the wake of financial crises, and behavioral biases in corporate decision making.
Prof. Dr. Ştefan Cristian Gherghina
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- corporate finance
- financial innovation
- sustainable finance
- ESG (environmental, social, and governance)
- shareholder value
- corporate social responsibility (CSR)
- FinTech
- blockchain in finance
- digital transformation in governance
- risk management
- corporate restructuring
- investor behavior
- executive compensation
- financial regulations
- debt and equity markets
- mergers and acquisitions (M&A)
- corporate transparency
- ownership structures
- financial reporting
- corporate ethics
- alternative investments
- behavioral finance
- innovative financial models
- impact investing
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