Asset management with a purpose beyond profit : A case study of AFA Försäkring

Abstract: The companies of the finance industry are the owners of the market and possess great power to impact society with the assets they manage. A new purpose of asset management is emerging, considering non-financial issues with a purpose beyond profit. The authors identified three aspects (Time aspects, Investment activities and Shareholder activities) in which non-financial issues could be incorporated within asset management. A case study was conducted using the Swedish insurance company AFA Försäkring, an insurance company with a stated purpose beyond profit, to answer the research question posed. The essay aims to gain knowledge regarding how an insurance company with a stated purpose beyond profit takes non-financial issues into account within their asset management. The paper concludes that there are multiple avenues to incorporate non-financial issues within asset management, such as clear guidelines, communication, and cooperation with investees.