Strategic Assessment of ESG and CSR Attitudes on Human Resource Performance

Introduction: Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and sustainability have significantly reshaped the fields of finance and accounting, steering the movement toward sustainable finance embraced by institutional investors and individual stakeholders who prioritize strong environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices. Objective: The objective of this study is to explore the connection between ESG performance and financial outcomes, specifically examining how a firm's CSR orientation influences this relationship. Companies are increasingly facing expectations from stakeholders to act responsibly towards society and the environment, making ESG performance substantially important. Method: The study utilized a Kaggle dataset, analyzing ESG and financial metrics from 1,000 global firms across nine industries and seven regions, covering the period from 2015 to 2025. It employed advanced statistical methods, including regression frameworks and a novel multi-level analytical approach, to identify patterns and account for industry-specific dynamics. Result: The research found a generally positive association between ESG scores and CSR performance, though this relationship exhibits considerable variability depending on specific ESG components and industry contexts. Conclusion: This study reinforces the increasing importance of ESG practices in influencing CSR performance and meeting stakeholder expectations. It provides valuable insights for practitioners and researchers by highlighting the central role of the environmental dimension of ESG, the varying impacts across industries, and the influence of methodological choices on observed relationships.