Can R&D Address the Sustainability Challenge? Evidence from European listed firms
Key information
- Date
- Time
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2:00 pm to 3:00 pm
- Venue
- Online (MS Teams)
About this event
R&D investment is positively linked to ESG scores across European firms, showing innovation drives sustainability.
This study examines the relationship between research and development (R&D) and environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices in the listed firms from different sectors in 13 European countries (including the UK) over the period 2011-2022. Using a panel dataset, the analysis explores the link between ESG score, R&D investment, and various control variables including returns of assets, firm size, firm age, and leverage.
The results indicate a statistically significant positive association between R&D investment and ESG score, with stronger effects observed in individual ESG pillar scores. Firms that invest more in R&D tend to score higher on ESG metrics after controlling for firm characteristics. The findings provide implications for integrating innovation and sustainability strategies to generate shared economic and social benefits.
By understanding these interlinkages, firms can develop practices that enhance long-term value creation for stakeholders. Our results are robust across a range of specifications.
Speaker
- Dr Abdulkader Nahhas (University of Plymouth)
Header image credit: Gildardo RH via Unsplash.
About the speaker
Dr. Abdulkader Nahhas is a recognised expert in economics and finance, with a particular focus on innovation, sustainability, and financial markets. Dr. Nahhas is an Assistant Professor at the University of Plymouth in the UK, and he is a Visiting Senior Research Fellow at Brunel University London. He has previously held academic positions at the University of Leicester, the University of Derby, Cardiff University, and the University of Exeter, and he possesses industry experience that blends rigorous research with real-world insights.
His research interests focus on international finance, innovation, and sustainability, offering evidence-based perspectives on global economic challenges. His work on innovation and sustainability focuses on studying Research and Development (R&D) policies and exploring the relationship between R&D investment and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices, with a specific emphasis on the role of R&D in addressing sustainability challenges. Dr. Nahhas's research in international finance investigates the impact of exchange rate volatility on capital flows, analyses cross-border banking and lending patterns, and examines foreign direct investment (FDI) flows and their economic impacts. In financial analysis, his ability to merge advanced econometric analysis with practical implications makes him a speaker on global finance, innovation-driven growth, and economic resilience.
Dr. Nahhas has delivered presentations at prestigious international conferences such as the Royal Economic Society (RES), European Economic Association (EEA), and INFINITI Conference on International Finance, He has also been invited as a speaker for research seminars across different institutions. His research has been published in high-impact journals, and he currently serves on the editorial board of the International Journal of Business Ethics, actively contributing as a reviewer for various high-impact journals.
Dr. Nahhas's work has been recognised and supported through several grants and awards, including the Vice-Chancellor's Research Prize from Brunel University London and the Vice-Chancellor's Prize from the University of Derby.
