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The Influence of Confucianism on Corporate Environmental Investment: Evidence from Chinese Private Firms

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  • Xixiong Xu

    (School of Economics and Business Administration, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China)

  • Lingling Duan

    (School of Economics and Business Administration, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China)

  • Youliang Yan

    (School of Economics and Business Administration, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China)

Abstract

While China’s economic development has made tremendous progress, it has also caused serious environmental pollution problems. This paper uses the date of the Chinese Private Enterprise Survey (CPES) to empirically investigate the impact of Confucianism on corporate environmental investment and its internal mechanism. The results show that: (1) Confucianism plays a significant role in corporate environmental investment. (2) In the areas where environmental regulation is relatively weak, Confucianism has a more significant effect on promoting corporate environmental investment. (3) The positive influence of Confucianism on corporate environmental investment is more obvious in heavy polluting industries. This paper’s conclusions deepen the theoretical cognition of the economic consequences of Confucianism and enrich the relevant literature on the subject of Confucianism. At the same time, this paper also expands the understanding of the determinants of corporate environmental investment from the perspective of the informal institution.

Suggested Citation

  • Xixiong Xu & Lingling Duan & Youliang Yan, 2019. "The Influence of Confucianism on Corporate Environmental Investment: Evidence from Chinese Private Firms," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(21), pages 1-20, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:21:p:5941-:d:280311
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    Cited by:

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    2. Yan, Youliang & Xu, Xixiong & Lai, Jieji, 2021. "Does Confucian culture influence corporate R&D investment? Evidence from Chinese private firms," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 40(C).
    3. Tan, Huan & Wang, Zhi, 2023. "The impact of confucian culture on the cost of equity capital: The moderating role of marketization process," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 86(C), pages 112-126.
    4. Zeng, Huixiang & Zhang, Xinxin & Zhou, Zhifang & Zhang, Tao & Zhou, Qiong, 2022. "Does the effect of the annual year taboo exist? Empirical evidence from senior managers’ zodiac year and corporate inefficient investment," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 54(6).
    5. Jie Zhou & Shanyue Jin, 2023. "Corporate Environmental Protection Behavior and Sustainable Development: The Moderating Role of Green Investors and Green Executive Cognition," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-18, February.

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