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Does better environmental, social, and governance induce better corporate green innovation: The mediating role of financing constraints

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  • Yuming Zhai
  • Zhenghuan Cai
  • Han Lin
  • Ming Yuan
  • Ye Mao
  • Mingchuan Yu

Abstract

Green innovation is a key way for firms to establish competitive advantage and contribute to sustainable development, but it often suffers from financing constraints. In this regard, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices allow firms to have a wider investor base, face lower risk, and generate positive market reactions, ultimately leading to a lower cost of capital, which may potentially alleviate financing constraints and provide strong motivation for green innovation. Combining stakeholder theory with the resource‐based view (RBV), this study investigated how ESG substantially affects corporate green innovation. Based on a zero‐inflated Poisson regression analysis of 1577 listed Chinese manufacturing firms, we found that better ESG could significantly induce better corporate green innovation, and financing constraints acted as a mediator in the relationship between ESG and green innovation. Our findings contribute to a more detailed understanding of the mechanisms by which corporate pro‐social decision‐makings initiate and boost green innovation.

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  • Yuming Zhai & Zhenghuan Cai & Han Lin & Ming Yuan & Ye Mao & Mingchuan Yu, 2022. "Does better environmental, social, and governance induce better corporate green innovation: The mediating role of financing constraints," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 29(5), pages 1513-1526, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:corsem:v:29:y:2022:i:5:p:1513-1526
    DOI: 10.1002/csr.2288
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    3. Dingzu Zhang & Luqi Liu, 2022. "Does ESG Performance Enhance Financial Flexibility? Evidence from China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-22, September.
    4. Han Long & Gen-Fu Feng & Chun-Ping Chang, 2023. "How does ESG performance promote corporate green innovation?," Economic Change and Restructuring, Springer, vol. 56(4), pages 2889-2913, August.
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    6. Lu Chen & Ming Yuan & Han Lin & Yilong Han & Youyou Yu & Caihui Sun, 2023. "Organizational improvisation and corporate green innovation: A dynamic capability perspective," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 32(8), pages 5686-5701, December.
    7. Chen, Lifeng & Khurram, Muhammad Usman & Gao, Yuying & Abedin, Mohammad Zoynul & Lucey, Brian, 2023. "ESG disclosure and technological innovation capabilities of the Chinese listed companies," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 65(C).
    8. Ren, Xiaohang & Zeng, Gudian & Sun, Xianming, 2023. "The peer effect of digital transformation and corporate environmental performance: Empirical evidence from listed companies in China," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 128(C).
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    10. Yang Yang & Jinmian Han, 2023. "Digital transformation, financing constraints, and corporate environmental, social, and governance performance," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 30(6), pages 3189-3202, November.
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