Developing leaders’ sustainable finance literacy: Evidence from a randomized controlled trial using peripheral and central elaboration
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study designs: Randomized Controlled Trial, Clinical Trial
Abstract: With global financial systems increasingly integrating sustainability objectives, effective strategies for developing sustainable finance literacy among leaders remain underexplored. Drawing on the Elaboration Likelihood Model, we experimentally examined the effectiveness of two interventions based on distinct information-processing routes (i.e., the central and peripheral routes) in improving leaders’ sustainable finance literacy and subsequent green behavior. Using a randomized controlled trial with 184 participants in leadership positions, the results demonstrated that no significant differences between the two routes in influencing post-intervention literacy or behavior. However, supplementary analyses indicated that leaders’ demographic characteristics, including education level, position, and professional experience, were strongly associated with post-intervention outcomes. The findings highlight key demographic factors that may inform the design of sustainable finance literacy programs for business leaders, with practical implications for policymakers and sustainability educators.
Authors: Dan Yang, Joseph Crawford, Dan Daugaard, Jing Jia
Institutions: University of Tasmania, University of Newcastle Australia
Language: English
Subfield: Finance
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,290
Funder: University of Tasmania
OpenAlex ID: W7140076394