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Assessing the Role of Sustainability Disclosure on Firms’ Financial Performance: Evidence from the Energy Sector of Belt and Road Initiative Countries

Author

Listed:
  • Dejun Zhou

    (School of Law, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China)

  • Ummar Faruk Saeed

    (School of Finance and Economics, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China)

  • Andrew Osei Agyemang

    (School of Finance and Economics, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China)

Abstract

This study examines the influence of sustainability disclosure on a firm’s financial performance in the energy sector, taking into account the role of ownership concentration as a moderating factor. This study utilized secondary data from 239 energy companies from the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) nations from 2009 to 2022. This study employed the Common Correlated Effect Mean Group and the Pooled Mean Group estimators for the analysis. To determine which component of sustainability disclosure influences a firm’s financial performance, this study divided the measurement of sustainability into three themes: environment, social, and governance. The findings revealed a positive relationship between environmental disclosure and financial performance. Similarly, we found a positive relationship between social disclosure and financial performance. However, governance disclosure does not contribute to financial performance. Furthermore, we found that ownership concentration positively moderates the association between environmental disclosure and financial performance, as well as social disclosure and financial performance. The results suggest that energy firms in developing countries should prioritize disclosing their environmental and social policies to ensure long-term financial performance.

Suggested Citation

  • Dejun Zhou & Ummar Faruk Saeed & Andrew Osei Agyemang, 2024. "Assessing the Role of Sustainability Disclosure on Firms’ Financial Performance: Evidence from the Energy Sector of Belt and Road Initiative Countries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-21, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:2:p:930-:d:1324054
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Wu Ning & Ummar Faruk Saeed & Angelina Kissiwaa Twum & Abednego Osei, 2024. "Can ESG disclosures promote firms going concern? Evidence from BRICS countries," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 31(5), pages 3792-3803, September.
    2. Naiping Zhu & Abednego Osei & Andrew Osei Agyemang, 2024. "Do board attributes influence environmental sustainability disclosure in manufacturing firms? Evidence from sub‐Saharan Africa," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 31(5), pages 4759-4771, September.

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