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Introduction

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Adapting to Change

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Abstract

This chapter serves as an introduction to the study of alternative finance tools, their risks and opportunities for firms, and their interaction with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors in finance. The chapter begins by defining alternative finance and describing its various tools. It examines the opportunities these tools offer to firms, as well as the associated risks. The focus then shifts to how ESG factors are assessed in finance, discussing the determinants of ESG scores and their impact on firm risk, profitability, and value. The chapter also explores the evolving relationships between banks and firms in the context of alternative finance and ESG practices, highlighting how these factors are changing traditional financial relationships. Finally, the chapter outlines the research objectives, setting the stage for a deeper exploration of these themes. It concludes by providing a structured overview of the monograph, detailing the focus and content of the subsequent chapters. This layout effectively sets the tone for a thorough investigation into the intricate interplay between bank-firm relationships, ESG factors, and alternative finance in the modern financial landscape.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Economic Sciences and Statistics, University of Udine, Udine, Italy

    Egidio Palmieri

  2. Department of Economic Sciences and Statistics, University of Udine, Udine, Italy

    Enrico Fioravante Geretto

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  1. Egidio Palmieri
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Correspondence to Egidio Palmieri .

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Palmieri, E., Geretto, E.F. (2023). Introduction. In: Adapting to Change. Palgrave Macmillan Studies in Banking and Financial Institutions. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-50265-1_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-50265-1_1

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