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Does ESG Impact Firms’ Sustainability Performance? The Mediating Effect of Innovation Performance

Author

Listed:
  • Shukang Zhou

    (School of Economics and Management, Zhongyuan University of Technology, Zhengzhou 451191, China)

  • Md. Harun Ur Rashid

    (Department of Economics & Banking, International Islamic University Chittagong, Chattogram 4318, Bangladesh)

  • Shah Asadullah Mohd. Zobair

    (Department of Economics & Banking, International Islamic University Chittagong, Chattogram 4318, Bangladesh)

  • Farid Ahammad Sobhani

    (School of Business and Economics, United International University, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh)

  • Abu Bakkar Siddik

    (School of Management, University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Jinzhai Road, Hefei 230026, China)

Abstract

In this age of global warming, academics and policymakers are increasingly concerned about firm environmental sustainability success. Therefore, this study aims to investigate whether Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) performance impacts sustainability performance through the mediating effect of firm innovation. To this end, Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was deployed to analyze data collected from the employees of manufacturing industries in Bangladesh. The results revealed that ESG performance significantly enhances the innovation and sustainability performance of manufacturing industries, indicating that the higher the ESG performance of a firm, the greater its innovation and sustainability performance. Furthermore, the results confirmed that firm innovation performance fully mediates the relationship between ESG initiatives and sustainability performance. The findings of this study provide policymakers and industry authorities with valuable insight into the role of ESG and innovation performance in improving sustainability performance. Specifically, the study sheds knowledge on how firm ESG initiatives and innovation performance impact sustainability performance in the manufacturing sector of an emerging economy such as Bangladesh.

Suggested Citation

  • Shukang Zhou & Md. Harun Ur Rashid & Shah Asadullah Mohd. Zobair & Farid Ahammad Sobhani & Abu Bakkar Siddik, 2023. "Does ESG Impact Firms’ Sustainability Performance? The Mediating Effect of Innovation Performance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-21, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:6:p:5586-:d:1104267
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    1. Zhang, Ping & Wang, Yiru & Gao, Jieying, 2023. "Going public and innovation: Evidence from the ChiNext stock market," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 80(C), pages 586-613.
    2. Yadu Zhang & Yiteng Zhang & Zuoren Sun, 2023. "The Impact of Carbon Emission Trading Policy on Enterprise ESG Performance: Evidence from China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-27, May.
    3. Mohd Yousuf Javed & Mohammad Hasan & Mohd Aqil & Mohd Ziaur Rehman & S. A. Atif Salar, 2024. "Exploring Sustainable Investments: How They Drive Firm Performance in Indian Private and Publicly Listed Companies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-16, August.
    4. Yu Sang & Kannan Loganathan & Lu Lin, 2024. "Digital Transformation and Firm ESG Performance: The Mediating Role of Corporate Risk-Taking and the Moderating Role of Top Management Team," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(14), pages 1-18, July.
    5. Yiqun Duan & Fan Yang & Lin Xiong, 2023. "Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Performance and Firm Value: Evidence from Chinese Manufacturing Firms," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-24, August.

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