Tailoring fund selection to diverse investors: integrating financial and sustainability performance

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3846/jbem.2025.24811

Abstract

This study explores the integration of financial and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria in the evaluation of investment funds within the energy equity sector, considering both short and long-term investor perspectives. Based on the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), a multi-criteria decision model, this analysis includes scenarios tailored to investors prioritizing financial returns and those focused on sustainability. The findings reveal that investors’ subjective preferences influence fund rankings, highlighting the need for adaptive classification systems. Finally, a customizable investment tool aligned with diverse investor priorities is proposed.

Keywords:

investment funds, ESG criteria, financial performance, TOPSIS, energy equity sector, investor preferences

How to Cite

Sorrosal-Forradellas, M.-T., Fabregat-Aibar, L., Barberà-Mariné, M.-G., & Terceño, A. (2025). Tailoring fund selection to diverse investors: integrating financial and sustainability performance. Journal of Business Economics and Management, 26(5), 1027–1049. https://doi.org/10.3846/jbem.2025.24811

Share

Published in Issue
October 10, 2025
Abstract Views
0

References

Aasheim, L. K., Miguel, A. F., & Ramos, S. B. (2022). Star rating, fund flows and performance predictability: Evidence from Norway. Financial Markets and Portfolio Management, 36(1), 29–56. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11408-021-00390-8

Ammann, M., Bauer, C., Fischer, S., & Müller, P. (2019). The impact of the Morningstar Sustainability Rating on mutual fund flows. European Financial Management, 25(3), 520–553. https://doi.org/10.1111/eufm.12181

Armstrong, W. J., Genc, E., & Verbeek, M. (2019). Going for gold: An analysis of Morningstar analyst ratings. Management Science, 65(5), 2310–2327. https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2017.2884

Barberà-Mariné, M. G., Fabregat-Aibar, L., & Terceño, A. (2020). Investment objectives and factors that influence the disappearance of spanish mutual funds. Journal of Business Economics and Management, 21(1), 255–276. https://doi.org/10.3846/jbem.2020.12016

Behzadian, M., Khanmohammadi Otaghsara, S., Yazdani, M., & Ignatius, J. (2012). A state-of the-art survey of TOPSIS applications. Expert Systems with Applications, 39(17), 13051–13069. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eswa.2012.05.056

Ben-David, I., Li, J., Rossi, A., & Song, Y. (2022). Ratings-driven demand and systematic price fluctuations. Review of Financial Studies, 35(6), 2790–2838. https://doi.org/10.1093/rfs/hhab104

Berg, F., Kölbel, J. F., & Rigobon, R. (2022). Aggregate confusion: The divergence of ESG ratings. Review of Finance, 26(6), 1315–1344. https://doi.org/10.1093/rof/rfac033

Bilbao-Terol, A., Arenas-Parra, M., Cañal-Fernández, V., & Antomil-Ibias, J. (2014). Using TOPSIS for assessing the sustainability of government bond funds. Omega, 49, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.omega.2014.04.005

Billio, M., Costola, M., Hristova, I., Latino, C., & Pelizzon, L. (2021). Inside the ESG ratings: (Dis)agreement and performance. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 28(5), 1426–1445. https://doi.org/10.1002/csr.2177

Blake, C. R., & Morey, M. R. (2000). Morningstar ratings and mutual fund performance. The Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis, 35(3), 451–483. https://doi.org/10.2307/2676213

Cabello, J. M., Ruiz, F., Pérez-Gladish, B., & Méndez-Rodríguez, P. (2014). Synthetic indicators of mutual funds’ environmental responsibility: An application of the Reference Point Method. European Journal of Operational Research, 236(1), 313–325. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejor.2013.11.031

Carluccio, E. M., Cucurachi, P. A., & Pomante, U. (2023). Absolute or relative: The dark side of fund rating systems. Journal of Financial Management, Markets and Institutions, 11(1), Article 2350001. https://doi.org/10.1142/s2282717x23500019

Chang, E. C., Krueger, T. M., & Doug-Witte, H. (2024). Comparison of ESG-mandated and non-mandated funds using Morningstar measures of sustainability and performance. Journal of Investing, 33(2), 48–63. https://doi.org/10.3905/joi.2023.1.298

Das, N., Chatterje, S., Ruf, S., & Sunder, A. (2018). ESG ratings and the performance of socially responsible mutual funds: A panel study. Journal of Finance Issues, 17(1), 49–57. https://doi.org/10.58886/jfi.v17i1.2334

Del Guercio, D., & Tkac, P. A. (2008). Star power: The effect of Morningstar ratings on mutual fund flow. Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis, 43(4), 907–936. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0022109000014393

Diakoulaki, D., Mavrotas, G., & Papayannakis, L. (1995). Determining objective weights in multiple criteria problems: The critic method. Computers and Operations Research, 22(7), 763–770. https://doi.org/10.1016/0305-0548(94)00059-H

Diaz-Balteiro, L., González-Pachón, J., & Romero, C. (2017). Measuring systems sustainability with multi-criteria methods: A critical review. European Journal of Operational Research, 258(2), 607–616. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejor.2016.08.075

Dolvin, S., Fulkerson, J., & Krukover, A. (2019). Do “Good Guys” finish last? The relationship between Morningstar sustainability ratings and mutual fund performance. The Journal of Investing, 28(2), 77–91. https://doi.org/10.3905/joi.2019.28.2.077

Eccles, R., Kastrapeli, M., & Potter, S. (2017). How to integrate ESG into investment decision-making: Results of a global survey of institutional investors. Journal of Applied Corporate Finance, 29(4), 125–133. https://doi.org/10.1111/jacf.12267

EFAMA. (2023). Asset management in Europe. An overview of the asset management industry.

Escrig-Olmedo, E., Fernández-Izquierdo, M. Á., Ferrero-Ferrero, I., Rivera-Lirio, J. M., & Muñoz-Torres, M. J. (2019). Rating the raters: Evaluating how ESG rating agencies integrate sustainability principles. Sustainability, 11(3), Article 915. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11030915

Escrig-Olmedo, E., Muñoz-Torres, M. J., & Fernández-Izquierdo, M. A. (2010). Socially responsible investing: Sustainability indices, ESG rating and information provider agencies. International Journal of Sustainable Economy, 2(4), Article 442. https://doi.org/10.1504/ijse.2010.035490

Ferriani, F. (2023). The importance of labels for sustainable investments: SFDR versus Morningstar globes. Applied Economics Letters, 31(18), 1813–1819. https://doi.org/10.1080/13504851.2023.2208326

Haleem, A., Khan, S., Luthra, S., Varshney, H., Alam, M., & Khan, M. I. (2021). Supplier evaluation in the context of circular economy: A forward step for resilient business and environment concern. Business Strategy and the Environment, 30(4), 2119–2146. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.2736

Kannan, D., De Sousa Jabbour, A. B. L., & Jabbour, C. J. C. (2014). Selecting green suppliers based on GSCM practices: Using Fuzzy TOPSIS applied to a Brazilian electronics company. European Journal of Operational Research, 233(2), 432–447. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejor.2013.07.023

Lee, M. T., & Suh, I. (2022). Understanding the effects of Environment, Social, and Governance conduct on financial performance: Arguments for a process and integrated modelling approach. Sustainable Technology and Entrepreneurship, 1(1), Article 100004. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.stae.2022.100004

Martín, J. C., Sánchez-Rebull, M. V., & Rudchenko, V. (2018). Hotel guests’ satisfaction: A segmentation analysis based on age and gender using topsis fuzzy methodology. Fuzzy Economic Review, 23(2), 63–85. https://doi.org/10.25102/fer.2018.02.04

Miç, P., & Antmen, Z. F. (2021). A decision-making model based on TOPSIS, WASPAS, and MULTIMOORA methods for university location selection problem. SAGE Open, 11(3). https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440211040115

Modigliani, F., & Sutch, R. (1966). Innovations in interest rate policy. The American Economic Review, 56(1/2), 178–196.

Morey, M. R. (2005). The kiss of death: A 5-star Morningstar mutual fund rating? Journal of Investment Management, 3(2), 41–52.

Muruganandan, S., & Sharma, A. M. (2024). Does the technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) help to find winners in mutual funds? OPSEARCH. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12597-024-00881-y

Oehler, A., Höfer, A., Horn, M., & Wendt, S. (2018). Do mutual fund ratings provide valuable information for retail investors? Studies in Economics and Finance, 35(1), 137–152. https://doi.org/10.1108/SEF-05-2017-0120

Otero-González, L., & Durán-Santomil, P. (2021). Is quantitative and qualitative information relevant for choosing mutual funds? Journal of Business Research, 123, 476–488. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2020.10.015

Otero-González, L., Leite, P., Durán-Santomil, P., & Domingues, R. (2022). Morningstar Star ratings and the performance, risk and flows of European bond mutual funds. International Review of Economics and Finance, 82, 479–496. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iref.2022.07.003

Pacelli, V., Pampurini, F., & Quaranta, A. G. (2023). Environmental, social and governance investing: Does rating matter? Business Strategy and the Environment, 32(1), 30–41. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.3116

Popescu, I. S., Hitaj, C., & Benetto, E. (2021). Measuring the sustainability of investment funds: A critical review of methods and frameworks in sustainable finance. Journal of Cleaner Production, 314, Article 128016. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.128016

Revelli, C., & Viviani, J.-L. (2014). Financial performance of socially responsible investing (SRI): What have we learned? A meta-analysis. Business Ethics, the Environment & Responsibility, 24(2), 158–185. https://doi.org/10.1111/beer.12076

Shih, H.-S., Shyur, H.-J., & Lee, E. S. (2007). An extension of TOPSIS for group decision making. Mathematical and Computer Modelling, 45(7), 801–813. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mcm.2006.03.023

Sorrosal-Forradellas, M. T., Barberà-Mariné, M. G., Fabregat-Aibar, L., & Li, X. (2023). A new rating of sustainability based on the Morningstar Sustainability Rating. European Research on Management and Business Economics, 29(1), Article 100208. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iedeen.2022.100208

Stankevičienė, J., & Petronienė, I. (2019). Bond mutual funds vs. bond exchange traded funds: Evaluation of risk adjusted performance. Administrative Sciences, 9(2), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci9020031

Stankovic, J. J., Marjanovic, I., Drezgic, S., & Popovic, Z. (2021). The digital competitiveness of European countries: A multiple-criteria approach. Journal of Competitiveness, 13(2), 117–134. https://doi.org/10.7441/JOC.2021.02.07

Steen, M., Moussawi, J. T., & Gjolberg, O. (2020). Is there a relationship between Morningstar’s ESG ratings and mutual fund performance? Journal of Sustainable Finance and Investment, 10(4), 349–370. https://doi.org/10.1080/20430795.2019.1700065

Tosun, O. K., & Moon, S. K. (2025). Socially responsible investment funds and firm performance improvement. Review of Quantitative Finance and Accounting, 65, 539–572. https://doi/10.1007/s11156-024-01352-7

Velte, P. (2022). Wich institutional investors drive corporate sustainability? A systematic literature review. Business Strategy and the Environment, 32(1), 42–71. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.3117

Widyawati, L. (2020). A systematic literature review of socially responsible investment and environmental social governance metrics. Business Strategy and the Environment, 29(2), 619–637. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.2393

Yoon, K. P., & Hwang, C.-L. (1995). Topsis. In Multiple attribute decision making. SAGE Publications. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.4135/9781412985161

View article in other formats

CrossMark check

CrossMark logo

Published

2025-10-10

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Sorrosal-Forradellas, M.-T., Fabregat-Aibar, L., Barberà-Mariné, M.-G., & Terceño, A. (2025). Tailoring fund selection to diverse investors: integrating financial and sustainability performance. Journal of Business Economics and Management, 26(5), 1027–1049. https://doi.org/10.3846/jbem.2025.24811

Share