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Does digital innovation cause better ESG performance? an empirical test of a-listed firms in China

Author

Listed:
  • Huang, Qiongyu
  • Fang, Jiali
  • Xue, Xiaolong
  • Gao, Hongming

Abstract

Digital technologies have changed the traditional innovation paradigm. We study the impact of digital innovation on corporate ESG performance using data from China’s A-share listed companies from 2011 to 2021. The results show that (1) digital innovation has a significant and positive impact on ESG performance; (2) digital innovation can improve firm performance and attract the attention of analysts, thereby improving ESG performance; (3) the positive impact of digital innovation on ESG performance is mitigated by corporate financial stability and augmented by institutional investors; and (4) the impact of digital innovation on ESG performance is more pronounced in industries which are nonmanufacturing, industrial digitization, and low-competitive, as well as in firms which are nonstate-owned or enforce executive equity incentives. This study provides a timely assessment of the sustainable value of digital innovation and enriches the research on the impacts of corporate ESG performance.

Suggested Citation

  • Huang, Qiongyu & Fang, Jiali & Xue, Xiaolong & Gao, Hongming, 2023. "Does digital innovation cause better ESG performance? an empirical test of a-listed firms in China," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 66(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:riibaf:v:66:y:2023:i:c:s0275531923001757
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ribaf.2023.102049
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Yang, Yuan & Cai, Wenjia & Wang, Can, 2014. "Industrial CO2 intensity, indigenous innovation and R&D spillovers in China’s provinces," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 131(C), pages 117-127.
    2. Husted, Bryan W. & Sousa-Filho, José Milton de, 2019. "Board structure and environmental, social, and governance disclosure in Latin America," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 102(C), pages 220-227.
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    Cited by:

    1. Bai, Keke & Jing, Kun & Li, Tianyu, 2024. "Corporate ESG Performance and Stock Pledge Risk," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 60(C).
    2. Wang, Jiaxin & Yuan, Xue & Huang, Xiang & Liu, Chengxin & Zhang, Pengdong, 2024. "Can digitalization facilitate cross-border M&A? Evidence from Chinese A-share listed companies," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 67(PA).
    3. Wang, Miao & Wang, Yiduo & Wen, Shouxun, 2024. "ESG performance and green innovation in new energy enterprises: Does institutional environment matter?," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 71(C).
    4. Hao, Yun & Wu, Wenzhao, 2024. "Environment, social, and governance performance and corporate financing constraints," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 62(PA).
    5. Wang, Zhen & Tang, Pei, 2024. "Substantive digital innovation or symbolic digital innovation: Which type of digital innovation is more conducive to corporate ESG performance?," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 93(PB), pages 1212-1228.
    6. Yang, Jinglan & Liu, Jianghuai & Yao, Zheng & Ma, Chaoqun, 2024. "Measuring digitalization capabilities using machine learning," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 70(PB).
    7. Angelidis, Timotheos & Michairinas, Athanasios & Sakkas, Athanasios, 2024. "World ESG performance and economic activity," Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money, Elsevier, vol. 93(C).
    8. Lu, Juan & Li, He, 2024. "Can digital technology innovation promote total factor energy efficiency? Firm-level evidence from China," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 293(C).
    9. Liu, Xin & Xu, Hui, 2025. "Going green with digital media attention: Evidence from Chinese A-share listed companies’ environmental performance," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 73(PA).
    10. Lian, Yuanqiang & Weng, Xiaowen, 2024. "ESG performance and investment efficiency," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 62(PA).
    11. Li, Yiping & Zheng, Lanxing & Xie, Chang & Fang, Jiming, 2024. "Big data development and enterprise ESG performance: Empirical evidence from China," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 93(PB), pages 742-755.
    12. Li, Junjun & Wu, Tong & Liu, Bailu & Zhou, Ming, 2024. "Can digital transformation enhance corporate ESG performance? The moderating role of dual environmental regulations," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 62(PB).
    13. Li Wang & Hongyu Yang, 2024. "Digital technology innovation and corporate ESG performance: evidence from China," Economic Change and Restructuring, Springer, vol. 57(6), pages 1-32, December.
    14. Chen, Yongtai & Ren, Yi-Shuai & Narayan, Seema & Huynh, Ngoc Quang Anh, 2024. "Does climate risk impact firms' ESG performance? Evidence from China," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 81(C), pages 683-695.
    15. Chalabi-Jabado, Fatima & Ziane, Ydriss, 2024. "Climate risks, financial performance and lending growth: Evidence from the banking industry," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 209(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Digital innovation; ESG; Sustainable development; Analyst focus; Firm performance;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • M14 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - Corporate Culture; Diversity; Social Responsibility
    • Q5 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics
    • O32 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Management of Technological Innovation and R&D
    • D21 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Firm Behavior: Theory
    • D82 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Asymmetric and Private Information; Mechanism Design

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