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How does ESG constrain corporate earnings management? Evidence from China

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  • Sun, Weizheng
  • Chen, Shuning
  • Jiao, Yuqing
  • Feng, Xu

Abstract

This paper explores whether and how ESG can constrain firms’ earnings management behavior in China. We find that firms with higher ESG performance are less likely to engage in earnings management. Firm visibility and managerial ownership strengthen the ESG-EM negative relationship, while managerial overconfidence weakens it. To further reveal the underlying mechanism, we find that the constraining effect of ESG performance on earnings management is partially mediated by attracting more analysts. Different from the existing explanations of reducing information asymmetry and ethical perspective, this study sheds new light on the mechanism of ESG's regulating corporate opportunistic behavior in China.

Suggested Citation

  • Sun, Weizheng & Chen, Shuning & Jiao, Yuqing & Feng, Xu, 2024. "How does ESG constrain corporate earnings management? Evidence from China," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 61(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:finlet:v:61:y:2024:i:c:s1544612324000138
    DOI: 10.1016/j.frl.2024.104983
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    2. Wang, Ziyuan & Zhang, Cong & Wu, Ran & Sha, Lina, 2024. "From ethics to efficiency: Understanding the interconnected dynamics of ESG performance, financial efficiency, and cash holdings in China," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).
    3. Yuan Feng & Changfei Nie, 2024. "Digital technology innovation and corporate environmental, social, and governance performance: Evidence from a sample of listed firms in China," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 31(5), pages 3836-3854, September.

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