The Economics of Corporate Social Responsibility and Financial Innovation

Dear Colleagues,

I am pleased to announce a Special Issue of the Journal of Risk and Financial Management entitled “The Economics of Corporate Social Responsibility and Financial Innovation.” In an era of rapid technological advancement and growing sustainability demands, it is essential to examine the economic foundations and impacts of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and financial innovation. For this Special Issue, I am seeking submissions that explores how these two forces interact to shape firm behavior, economic performance, market outcomes, long-term value creation, and ultimately the global economy.

I am particularly interested in contributions that investigate the economic mechanisms through which CSR initiatives affect firm value, investment strategies, risk management, and stakeholder relations—especially in the context of emerging financial technologies such as AI, blockchain, and digital finance. Submissions examining cost–benefit trade-offs, economic incentives, and market inefficiencies tied to CSR and innovation are highly encouraged.

Both empirical and theoretical research are welcome, though studies that apply innovative methodologies, leverage unconventional data sources, or adopt interdisciplinary approaches integrating economics, business, and technology are preferred. Topics of interest include (but are not limited to) Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) investing, sustainable finance, the behavioral and institutional economics of CSR, and the influence of regulatory or policy frameworks on corporate financial practices.

My goal in publishing this Special Issue is to showcase research that advances our understanding of how CSR and financial innovation converge in today's evolving economic landscape. The collected submissions will provide new insights for academics, practitioners, and policymakers seeking to foster responsible business practices while driving financial and economic innovation.

I look forward to receiving contributions which offer both rigorous analysis and real-world relevance.

Dr. Dina El Mahdy
Prof. Dr. Zabihollah Rezaee
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Risk and Financial Management is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.