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Financial performance shortfall, ESG controversies, and ESG performance: Evidence from firms around the world

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  • DasGupta, Ranjan

Abstract

Firms search for new strategic actions when their financial performance falls below their aspired level. This study examines whether financial performance shortfalls motivate firms to undertake improved ESG practices, possibly to maintain future legitimacy. It also investigates whether ESG controversies mediate firms’ ESG decisions in such situations. It finds a strong positive influence of financial performance shortfall on firm's ESG performance. However, when such firms are constrained by high levels of ESG controversies, they are less likely to engage in higher ESG practices, although such controversies have positive mediating impact on the relationship between financial performance shortfalls and ESG performance.

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  • DasGupta, Ranjan, 2022. "Financial performance shortfall, ESG controversies, and ESG performance: Evidence from firms around the world," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 46(PB).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:finlet:v:46:y:2022:i:pb:s1544612321004633
    DOI: 10.1016/j.frl.2021.102487
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    8. Dahlström, Petter & Lööf, Hans & Sahamkhadam, Maziar & Stephan, Andreas, 2023. "Science-based emission targets and risk-adjusted portfolio return: An analysis using global SBTi-validated stocks," Working Paper Series in Economics and Institutions of Innovation 492, Royal Institute of Technology, CESIS - Centre of Excellence for Science and Innovation Studies.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Environmental; Social and governance performance; Financial performance shortfall; ESG controversy; Aspiration level;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • M14 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - Corporate Culture; Diversity; Social Responsibility
    • Q56 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environment and Development; Environment and Trade; Sustainability; Environmental Accounts and Accounting; Environmental Equity; Population Growth

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