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The social and environmental drivers of corporate credit ratings: international evidence

Author

Listed:
  • Gregor Dorfleitner

    (University of Regensburg)

  • Johannes Grebler

    (University of Regensburg)

Abstract

We provide evidence of the exogenous impact of environmental and social performance components on credit ratings in North America, Europe, and Asia. In particular, the product innovation dimension is clearly identified as being the dominating driver of credit ratings within the environmental performance in every subsample region. In the social performance dimension, the extent of diversity is a main driver for firms in North America and Europe, but due to cultural reasons, not in Asia. Our results show that the risk mitigation view holds for all significant corporate social or environmental performance variables, but the magnitude of impact differs regionally.

Suggested Citation

  • Gregor Dorfleitner & Johannes Grebler, 2020. "The social and environmental drivers of corporate credit ratings: international evidence," Business Research, Springer;German Academic Association for Business Research, vol. 13(3), pages 1343-1415, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:busres:v:13:y:2020:i:3:d:10.1007_s40685-020-00127-9
    DOI: 10.1007/s40685-020-00127-9
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    1. Gehrig, Thomas & Iannino, Maria Chiara & Unger, Stephan, 2024. "Social responsibility and bank resiliency," Journal of Financial Stability, Elsevier, vol. 70(C).
    2. Meles, Antonio & Salerno, Dario & Sampagnaro, Gabriele & Verdoliva, Vincenzo & Zhang, Jianing, 2023. "The influence of green innovation on default risk: Evidence from Europe," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 84(C), pages 692-710.

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