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The Effect of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Performance and Disclosure on Cost of Debt: The Mediating Effect of Corporate Reputation

Author

Listed:
  • Anis Maaloul

    (TELUQ University of Quebec)

  • Daniel Zéghal

    (University of Ottawa)

  • Walid Ben Amar

    (University of Ottawa)

  • Sari Mansour

    (TELUQ University of Quebec)

Abstract

Prior studies on the relationship between ESG information and cost of debt have found mixed results. They conclude that this relationship may be affected by some characteristics or attributes of the company. In this study, we examine whether corporate reputation mediates the relationship between ESG information and cost of debt. In other words, this study explores how ESG information influences corporate reputation, and how, in turn, corporate reputation affects the cost of debt financing. Data for corporate reputation were obtained from the Fortune “World’s Most Admired Companies” List, whereas data on ESG information were extracted from two sources: ESG performance were obtained from Sustainalytics database and ESG disclosure were obtained from Bloomberg database. Data on cost of debt and other control variables were also collected from Bloomberg database. Using structural equation models, we report a positive effect of both ESG performance and disclosure on corporate reputation. We also find that a good corporate reputation reduces the cost of debt financing and mediates the relationship between ESG performance/disclosure and cost of debt. We therefore conclude that firms that manage and disclose information on ESG issues have a better reputation, which in turn reduces their debt financing costs.

Suggested Citation

  • Anis Maaloul & Daniel Zéghal & Walid Ben Amar & Sari Mansour, 2023. "The Effect of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Performance and Disclosure on Cost of Debt: The Mediating Effect of Corporate Reputation," Corporate Reputation Review, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 26(1), pages 1-18, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:crepre:v:26:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1057_s41299-021-00130-8
    DOI: 10.1057/s41299-021-00130-8
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    Cited by:

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    2. Andrieș, Alin Marius & Sprincean, Nicu, 2023. "ESG performance and banks’ funding costs," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 54(C).
    3. Ahmed Diab & Aref M. Eissa, 2023. "ESG Performance, Auditor Choice, and Audit Opinion: Evidence from an Emerging Market," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-18, December.
    4. Shuqi Lou & Xiaoyue You & Tao Xu, 2024. "Sustainable Supplier Evaluation: From Current Criteria to Reconstruction Based on ESG Requirements," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-23, January.
    5. SangRyeong Lee & Jin-Woo Park & DongRyeol Choi, 2023. "The Effects of ESG Management on Business Performance: The Case of Incheon International Airport," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(24), pages 1-22, December.
    6. Van Hoof, Bart & Núñez Reyes, Georgina & De Miguel, Carlos J., 2023. "Scaling up circular economy initiatives in Latin America and the Caribbean," Documentos de Proyectos 48835, Naciones Unidas Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe (CEPAL).
    7. Guangrui Liu & Hao Qian & Qianqian Wu & Fei Han, 2024. "Research on the masking effect of vertical interlock on ESG greenwashing in the context of sustainable Enterprise development," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 31(1), pages 196-209, January.
    8. Thamir Al Barrak & Kaouther Chebbi & Abdullah A. Aljughaiman & Mohammed Albarrak, 2023. "Exploring the Interplay between Sustainability and Debt Costs in an Emerging Market: Does Financial Distress Matter?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-19, June.

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