Shareholder advocacy and social performance of the firms in the USA

We analyzed the Socially Responsible Investment in the USA from the shareholder¿s point of view. Based on the rule 14a-8, dissatisfied investors or activists may submit proposal to be implemented in order to improve social, societal and environmental performances of a firm. They may change the firm strategy through their proposals. We updated a database from 1997 to 2007 and outlined the nature of 3,428 filed resolutions, targeted companies, resolution¿s outcomes and filers. Assuming that Socially Responsible Investment is a growing phenomenon, this report contributes to knowledge about the nature of the resolutions and their vote, and the involvement of filers.