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Digital transformation, ESG practice, and total factor productivity

Author

Listed:
  • Xiangan Ding
  • Zhonglin Sheng
  • Andrea Appolloni
  • Mohsin Shahzad
  • Shaojie Han

Abstract

Recent research provides limited knowledge about how and whether digital transformation related to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) affects the total factor productivity (TFP). To fill the gap, this study explores the impact of digital transformation on TFP based on a fixed‐effect model and the staggered difference‐in‐differences method and reveals that digital transformation can boost corporate TFP. Mechanism analysis reveals that digital transformation promotes ESG performance in companies, thereby affecting TFP. Social performance in ESG plays a mediating effect, while environmental performance plays a suppressing effect. Besides, the primary driver of TFP improvement through digital transformation lies in its direct effect, whereas the indirect effect of ESG factors is relatively limited. Our findings provide new insight into how digital transformation promotes corporate ESG and productivity.

Suggested Citation

  • Xiangan Ding & Zhonglin Sheng & Andrea Appolloni & Mohsin Shahzad & Shaojie Han, 2024. "Digital transformation, ESG practice, and total factor productivity," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(5), pages 4547-4561, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:bstrat:v:33:y:2024:i:5:p:4547-4561
    DOI: 10.1002/bse.3718
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    8. Yu Sang & Kannan Loganathan & Priya Sukirthanandan, 2025. "A Study on the Impact of Corporate Digital Transformation on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Performance: Mechanism Analysis Based on Resource Allocation Efficiency and Technological Gap," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(8), pages 1-31, April.
    9. Lisa Schrade-Grytsenko & Karolin Eva Kappler & Stefan Smolnik, 2025. "Assisted Sustainability: How Digital Technologies Promote Corporate Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-24, June.
    10. Zheng Xue & Kaili Li & Qi Ban & Jialing Li, 2025. "How ESG and Digitalization Drive High-Quality Enterprise Development: Evidence from China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-27, May.
    11. Liu, Xukang & Ma, Chaoqun & Ren, Yi-Shuai, 2024. "How AI powers ESG performance in China's digital frontier?," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 70(C).
    12. Jingzhuo Yu & Yong-Sik Hwang, 2024. "The Interaction Effects of Board Independence and Digital Transformation on Environmental, Social, and Governance Performance: Complementary or Substitutive?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(20), pages 1-26, October.
    13. Gomaa Agag & Sameh Aboul-Dahab & Sherif El-Halaby & Said Abdo & Mohamed A. Khashan, 2025. "Leveraging Digitalization to Boost ESG Performance in Different Business Contexts," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-31, July.
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    15. Jie Deng, 2025. "Exploring the heterogeneous effects of environmental, social, and governance performance on idiosyncratic risk: do political ties matter?," Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 12(1), pages 1-16, December.
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    17. Hui Huang & Xiujuan Huang, 2025. "Unlocking ESG Performance: How Qualified Foreign Institutional Investors Enhance Corporate Sustainability in China’s Capital Markets," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-32, September.

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