SOCIAL CORPORATE INVESTMENTS: THE ESSENCE AND TOOLS OF IMPLEMENTATION IN UKRAINE

Анотація

The article dials with the social investment, its meaning, goals, tools, sources and importance. The view of investment is changing due to the deepening implementation of the principles of sustainable development. Investments are seen as a tool for solving social problems, increasing human capital, mitigating environmental threats. The social orientation of investments is significantly increasing, the priority of which is the creation of positive social impact and social well-being. Based on analysis of domestic and foreign literature the author`s explanation of this phenomena is given. Corporate social investment is identified as one of the forms of corporate social responsibility, which involves the implementation of targeted projects and programs, that are focused on the interests of major stakeholders. Social investment can be described as an instrument that is not opposed to the company's business interests but complements and expands the company's ability to influence the community and reduce possible risks from business activities.

The article proposes a classification of investment motives and instruments depending on the statutory goals of the company. Emphasis is placed on the convergence of the activities of non-profit organizations and commercial business structures in the implementation of projects with the social component. A comparative description of the concepts of social investment, corporate social responsibility, and impact investment is given. The modern conditions for the introduction of social investments in Ukraine and the world are described. In particular, it was found that in countries with a well-developed stock market, socially responsible investments are understood primarily as investments in financial instruments that are made in the stock market. The Covid-19 pandemic has caused global changes in the investment landscape. Many countries have had to spend their already limited budgets on fighting the effects of the pandemic, rather than on achieving the goals of sustainable development. Ukraine, with its underdeveloped stock market, needs to adapt the experience of Community Development Financial Institutions and Beta Corporations. An important condition for intensifying social investment both in Ukraine and in the world is the involvement of educational institutions in this process. The education of agents of change, who understand the goals of sustainable development, analyse corporate social responsibility, will in the future form responsible citizens, investors, a conscious society.