IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/bla/bstrat/v34y2025i8p10373-10394.html

Multinational Enterprises' ESG Strategy Against Institutional Pressures in Emerging Markets: The Moderating Effect of Digitalization Capability

Author

Listed:
  • Min‐Jae Lee
  • Yanghee Kim
  • Taewoo Roh
  • Minjung Lee

Abstract

This study examined the institutional pressures that influence the implementation of a multinational enterprises' (MNEs) environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategy in emerging markets. It investigated the sustainable performance (i.e., financial, social, and environmental performance) resulting from MNEs' strategic responses to institutional pressures in host markets. Based on institutional theory, this study developed hypotheses regarding the relationships between three types of institutional pressures (i.e., regulatory, normative, and cognitive) and MNEs' ESG strategy, as well as the moderating role of digitalization capability on the outcomes of these strategic responses. A three‐wave survey over nine months involving MNEs in China enabled hypothesis testing through structural assessments, drawing on data from 122 MNEs across eight countries. The results indicate that each type of institutional pressure positively impacts MNEs' ESG strategy, and these strategies, in turn, have a positive effect on sustainable performance. However, the moderating effect of digitalization capability between ESG strategy and sustainable performance was significant only for financial performance. This study addresses gaps in previous research and provides theoretical and practical implications for MNEs operating in emerging markets.

Suggested Citation

  • Min‐Jae Lee & Yanghee Kim & Taewoo Roh & Minjung Lee, 2025. "Multinational Enterprises' ESG Strategy Against Institutional Pressures in Emerging Markets: The Moderating Effect of Digitalization Capability," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 34(8), pages 10373-10394, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:bstrat:v:34:y:2025:i:8:p:10373-10394
    DOI: 10.1002/bse.70132
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.70132
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1002/bse.70132?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ester Clementino & Richard Perkins, 2021. "How Do Companies Respond to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) ratings? Evidence from Italy," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 171(2), pages 379-397, June.
    2. Flladina Zilja & Gilbert Kofi Adarkwah & Christopher Albert Sabel, 2022. "Do Environmental Policies Affect MNEs’ Foreign Subsidiary Investments? An Empirical Investigation," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 62(1), pages 53-102, February.
    3. Caroline Flammer & Bryan Hong & Dylan Minor, 2019. "Corporate governance and the rise of integrating corporate social responsibility criteria in executive compensation: Effectiveness and implications for firm outcomes," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 40(7), pages 1097-1122, July.
    4. Emiel Duuren & Auke Plantinga & Bert Scholtens, 2016. "ESG Integration and the Investment Management Process: Fundamental Investing Reinvented," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 138(3), pages 525-533, October.
    5. Mike W Peng & Denis Y L Wang & Yi Jiang, 2008. "An institution-based view of international business strategy: a focus on emerging economies," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 39(5), pages 920-936, July.
    6. Andreas Georg Scherer & Guido Palazzo & David Seidl, 2013. "Managing Legitimacy in Complex and Heterogeneous Environments: Sustainable Development in a Globalized World," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 50(2), pages 259-284, March.
    7. Gunnar Friede & Timo Busch & Alexander Bassen, 2015. "ESG and financial performance: aggregated evidence from more than 2000 empirical studies," Journal of Sustainable Finance & Investment, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 5(4), pages 210-233, October.
    8. Ingmar Björkman & Carl F Fey & Hyeon Jeong Park, 2007. "Institutional theory and MNC subsidiary HRM practices: evidence from a three-country study," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 38(3), pages 430-446, May.
    9. Di Vaio, Assunta & Palladino, Rosa & Hassan, Rohail & Escobar, Octavio, 2020. "Artificial intelligence and business models in the sustainable development goals perspective: A systematic literature review," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 121(C), pages 283-314.
    10. Min‐Jae Lee & Anna Pak & Taewoo Roh, 2024. "The interplay of institutional pressures, digitalization capability, environmental, social, and governance strategy, and triple bottom line performance: A moderated mediation model," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(6), pages 5247-5268, September.
    11. Satish Nambisan & Shaker A. Zahra & Yadong Luo, 2019. "Global platforms and ecosystems: Implications for international business theories," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 50(9), pages 1464-1486, December.
    12. Adriana Barbeito‐Caamaño & Ricardo Chalmeta, 2020. "Using big data to evaluate corporate social responsibility and sustainable development practices," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 27(6), pages 2831-2848, November.
    13. Shin, Jiyoung & Moon, Jon Jungbien & Kang, Jingoo, 2023. "Where does ESG pay? The role of national culture in moderating the relationship between ESG performance and financial performance," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 32(3).
    14. Sea-Jin Chang & Arjen van Witteloostuijn & Lorraine Eden, 2010. "From the Editors: Common method variance in international business research," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 41(2), pages 178-184, February.
    15. Cui, Lin & Jiang, Fuming, 2009. "FDI entry mode choice of Chinese firms: A strategic behavior perspective," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 44(4), pages 434-444, October.
    16. Karl V. Lins & Henri Servaes & Ane Tamayo, 2017. "Social Capital, Trust, and Firm Performance: The Value of Corporate Social Responsibility during the Financial Crisis," Journal of Finance, American Finance Association, vol. 72(4), pages 1785-1824, August.
    17. Amal Aouadi & Sylvain Marsat, 2018. "Do ESG Controversies Matter for Firm Value? Evidence from International Data," Post-Print halshs-02007374, HAL.
    18. Francisco Javier Forcadell & Elisa Aracil & Fernando Ubeda, 2020. "Using reputation for corporate sustainability to tackle banks digitalization challenges," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(6), pages 2181-2193, September.
    19. Zhongju Liao, 2018. "Institutional pressure, knowledge acquisition and a firm's environmental innovation," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 27(7), pages 849-857, November.
    20. Yadong Luo & Rosalie L Tung, 2007. "International expansion of emerging market enterprises: A springboard perspective," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 38(4), pages 481-498, July.
    21. Susan L Young & Mona V Makhija, 2014. "Firms’ corporate social responsibility behavior: An integration of institutional and profit maximization approaches," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 45(6), pages 670-698, August.
    22. Alain Verbeke & Vincent Tung, 2013. "The Future of Stakeholder Management Theory: A Temporal Perspective," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 112(3), pages 529-543, February.
    23. Friederike Welter & David Smallbone, 2011. "Institutional Perspectives on Entrepreneurial Behavior in Challenging Environments," Journal of Small Business Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 49(1), pages 107-125, January.
    24. Figueira, Sandra & Gauthier, Caroline & Torres de Oliveira, Rui, 2023. "CSR and stakeholder salience in MNE subsidiaries in emerging markets," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 32(5).
    25. Amir Amel-Zadeh & George Serafeim, 2018. "Why and How Investors Use ESG Information: Evidence from a Global Survey," Financial Analysts Journal, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 74(3), pages 87-103, July.
    26. Amal Aouadi & Sylvain Marsat, 2018. "Do ESG Controversies Matter for Firm Value? Evidence from International Data," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 151(4), pages 1027-1047, September.
    27. Klaus E Meyer & Mike W Peng, 2005. "Probing theoretically into Central and Eastern Europe: transactions, resources, and institutions," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 36(6), pages 600-621, November.
    28. Paolo Esposito & Paolo Ricci, 2021. "Cultural organizations, digital Corporate Social Responsibility and stakeholder engagement in virtual museums: a multiple case study. How digitization is influencing the attitude toward CSR," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 28(2), pages 953-964, March.
    29. Shufeng Xiao & Taewoo Roh & Pervez N. Ghauri & Moon Hwan Cho & Byung Il Park, 2024. "MNCs’ Social Innovation in Emerging Markets: A Stakeholder Perspective," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 64(4), pages 633-670, August.
    30. Chitra Sriyani De Silva Lokuwaduge & Kumudini Heenetigala, 2017. "Integrating Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Disclosure for a Sustainable Development: An Australian Study," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 26(4), pages 438-450, May.
    31. Garry D. Bruton & David Ahlstrom & Han–Lin Li, 2010. "Institutional Theory and Entrepreneurship: Where Are We Now and Where Do We Need to Move in the Future?," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 34(3), pages 421-440, May.
    32. Roh, Taewoo & Xiao, Shufeng (Simon) & Park, Byung Il, 2024. "MNEs' capabilities and their sustainable business in emerging markets: Evidence from MNE subsidiaries in China," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 30(1).
    33. Nambisan, Satish & Wright, Mike & Feldman, Maryann, 2019. "The digital transformation of innovation and entrepreneurship: Progress, challenges and key themes," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 48(8), pages 1-1.
    34. Christine Oliver, 1997. "Sustainable competitive advantage: combining institutional and resource‐based views," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 18(9), pages 697-713, October.
    35. Armstrong, J. Scott & Overton, Terry S., 1977. "Estimating Nonresponse Bias in Mail Surveys," MPRA Paper 81694, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    36. Stefan Schaltegger & Jacob Hörisch, 2017. "In Search of the Dominant Rationale in Sustainability Management: Legitimacy- or Profit-Seeking?," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 145(2), pages 259-276, October.
    37. Pejman Ebrahimi & Seyed Mozaffar Mirbargkar, 2017. "Green entrepreneurship and green innovation for SME development in market turbulence," Eurasian Business Review, Springer;Eurasia Business and Economics Society, vol. 7(2), pages 203-228, August.
    38. Ye, Fei & Zhao, Xiande & Prahinski, Carol & Li, Yina, 2013. "The impact of institutional pressures, top managers' posture and reverse logistics on performance—Evidence from China," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 143(1), pages 132-143.
    39. Shuai Shao & Zhigao Hu & Jianhua Cao & Lili Yang & Dabo Guan, 2020. "Environmental Regulation and Enterprise Innovation: A Review," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(3), pages 1465-1478, March.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Il Park, Byung & Xiao, Shufeng (Simon), 2021. "Doing good by combating bad in the digital world: Institutional pressures, anti-corruption practices, and competitive implications of MNE foreign subsidiaries," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 137(C), pages 194-205.
    2. Pruthiranjan Dwibedi & Debasis Pahi & Antarjyami Sahu, 2024. "Mapping the landscape of environmental, social and governance research: A bibliometric analysis," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 31(5), pages 3745-3767, September.
    3. Li, Jizhong & Jiang, Fuming & Shen, Jie, 2016. "Institutional distance and the quality of the headquarters–subsidiary relationship: The moderating role of the institutionalization of headquarters’ practices in subsidiaries," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 25(2), pages 589-603.
    4. Shantanu Banerjee & Sunil Venaik, 2018. "The Effect of Corporate Political Activity on MNC Subsidiary Legitimacy: An Institutional Perspective," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 58(5), pages 813-844, October.
    5. Hoang, Thi Hong Van & Pham, Linh & Nguyen, Thanh Thi Phuong, 2023. "Does country sustainability improve firm ESG reporting transparency? The moderating role of firm industry and CSR engagement," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 125(C).
    6. SiJian Niu & Byung Il Park & Jin Sup Jung, 2022. "The Effects of Digital Leadership and ESG Management on Organizational Innovation and Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-20, November.
    7. Xiaoling Yu & Kaitian Xiao, 2022. "Does ESG Performance Affect Firm Value? Evidence from a New ESG-Scoring Approach for Chinese Enterprises," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-40, December.
    8. Roh, Taewoo & Xiao, Shufeng & Park, Byung Il & Ghauri, Pervez N., 2025. "Stakeholder pressure, democracy levels, and multinational enterprise corporate social responsibility: Stakeholder and institutional theories," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 200(C).
    9. Rodrigo Zeidan, 2022. "Why don't asset managers accelerate ESG investing? A sentiment analysis based on 13,000 messages from finance professionals," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(7), pages 3028-3039, November.
    10. Carlos Estevez‐Mendoza & Juan Infante, 2025. "Evolution and relevance of research on Environmental, Social, and Governance factors," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 32(2), pages 1545-1566, March.
    11. Ann Susan Thomas & Ambili Jayachandran & Ajithakumari Vijayappan Nair Biju, 2024. "Strategic mapping of the environmental social governance landscape in finance – A bibliometric exploration through concepts and themes," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 31(5), pages 4428-4453, September.
    12. Oehler, Andreas & Neuss, Charlotte, 2025. "ESG disclosure vs. ESG ratings: Consistent information value?," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 107(C).
    13. Mohamed Rashwan & Nardin Farouk & Rania Pasha, 2025. "Can ESG Strategies Drive Firm Value Growth in the MENA Region?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-30, September.
    14. Tan, Yafei & Zhu, Zhaohui, 2022. "The effect of ESG rating events on corporate green innovation in China: The mediating role of financial constraints and managers' environmental awareness," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 68(C).
    15. Wang, Chengqi & Hong, Junjie & Kafouros, Mario & Boateng, Agyenim, 2012. "What drives outward FDI of Chinese firms? Testing the explanatory power of three theoretical frameworks," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 21(3), pages 425-438.
    16. Gaffney, Nolan & Cooper, Danielle & Kedia, Ben & Clampit, Jack, 2014. "Institutional transitions, global mindset, and EMNE internationalization," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 32(3), pages 383-391.
    17. Maria Roszkowska‐Menkes, 2025. "ESG pay and corporate social irresponsibility: Does culture matter?," Business Ethics, the Environment & Responsibility, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 34(4), pages 1860-1885, October.
    18. Albrecht, Disen Huang & Anantharaman, Divya & Zhao, Keyi, 2025. "Is a picture worth a thousand words? Image usage in ESG reports," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 115(C).
    19. Adomako, Samuel & Amankwah-Amoah, Joseph & Tarba, Shlomo Y. & Khan, Zaheer, 2021. "Perceived corruption, business process digitization, and SMEs’ degree of internationalization in sub-Saharan Africa," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 123(C), pages 196-207.
    20. Tristan Jourde & Arthur Stalla-Bourdillon, 2026. "Environmental preferences and sector valuations," Review of World Economics (Weltwirtschaftliches Archiv), Springer;Institut für Weltwirtschaft (Kiel Institute for the World Economy), vol. 162(1), pages 45-85, February.

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:bla:bstrat:v:34:y:2025:i:8:p:10373-10394. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Wiley Content Delivery (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1002/(ISSN)1099-0836 .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.