Driven by a new wave of disruptive growth from innovation, automation, and technology-centred processes, financial markets are undergoing a period of rapid change. While some of these changes increase efficiency and transparency, they also threaten the sustainability of economic growth and may harm stakeholders by incenting short-term focused behaviours. In addition, global capital pools continue growing, exacerbating the disconnect between the demand for high returns and the ability to achieve them.

To address these issues, the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Long-Term Investing, Infrastructure and Development surveyed the asset owner community to study investor practices that support long-term focused business strategies. This white paper summarizes the survey findings and offers case studies which emphasize that by engaging constructively together with corporates and their boards, investors aim to move beyond compliance towards agile organizational cultures, with the capacity to improve risk-adjusted returns and therefore outcomes for all current and future beneficiaries.

Report by the World Economic Forum