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Corporate environmental information disclosure and bank financing: Moderating effect of formal and informal institutions

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  • Qiang Li
  • Wenjuan Ruan
  • Huimin Shi
  • Erwei Xiang
  • Feida (Frank) Zhang

Abstract

This paper investigates the effect of the quality of environmental information disclosure of firms on their bank financing and further examines the moderating effect of formal and informal institutions on this effect using China as a laboratory. We find that the quality of environmental information disclosure is positively (negatively) related to the scale (cost) of bank financing. Furthermore, the formal institution (proxied by the official issuance of the Green Credit Guidelines) strengthens the above relationship. Moreover, the informal institution (proxied by bank connection) weakens the association between the quality of environmental information disclosure and bank financing. Our results are valid after addressing the potential endogeneity between environmental information disclosure and bank financing and remain unchanged in various robustness tests. Our findings affirm the decision usefulness of corporate environmental information disclosure that can be used by companies as an effective strategy for obtaining bank financing and the ethical integrity of borrowers to banks as an important group of capital market participants.

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  • Qiang Li & Wenjuan Ruan & Huimin Shi & Erwei Xiang & Feida (Frank) Zhang, 2022. "Corporate environmental information disclosure and bank financing: Moderating effect of formal and informal institutions," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(7), pages 2931-2946, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:bstrat:v:31:y:2022:i:7:p:2931-2946
    DOI: 10.1002/bse.3055
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    3. Zhao, Jingsong & Zhang, Chen & Wu, Yong & Zhu, Jing & Ji, Yuanpu & Sun, Jiaojiao, 2024. "The influence mechanism of multi-government environmental regulation synergy on corporate environmental responsibility," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 82(C), pages 1296-1319.
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    5. Zheng, Xinyuan & Shen, Jianfei, 2024. "Corporate environmental information disclosure, managerial ownership and the cost of debt," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 93(PA), pages 645-659.
    6. Chen, Wen, 2023. "Bank connections, corporate social responsibility and low-carbon innovation," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 183(C).
    7. Anh Huu Nguyen & Mai Hoang Thi Do & Thinh Gia Hoang & Loan Quynh Thi Nguyen, 2023. "Green financing for sustainable development: Insights from multiple cases of Vietnamese commercial banks," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 32(1), pages 321-335, January.
    8. Jing‐Yue Liu & Yue‐Jun Zhang & Charles H. Cho, 2023. "Corporate environmental information disclosure and green innovation: The moderating effect of CEO visibility," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 30(6), pages 3020-3042, November.
    9. Kuo Zhou & Xianghui Jin & Xinru Li & Yunqing Tao, 2024. "Enhancing sustainable development through effective disclosure: Corporate environmental performance and readability," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 31(1), pages 274-291, January.

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