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More sustainable, more productive: Evidence from ESG ratings and total factor productivity among listed Chinese firms

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  • Deng, Xiang
  • Li, Weihao
  • Ren, Xiaohang

Abstract

Scholars have long argued about whether improvements in environment, society, and governance (ESG) performance benefit a firm itself. To address this debate from a general perspective, we present empirical evidence on the positive correlation between a firm's ESG rating and its total factor productivity (TFP). We also explore three possible mechanisms that work within the relationship between ESG rating and TFP, in which each pillar (E, S, and G) of the ESG rating has its own function in influencing a mediator variable that eventually affects TFP. Our findings are of referential value for both policymakers and investors.

Suggested Citation

  • Deng, Xiang & Li, Weihao & Ren, Xiaohang, 2023. "More sustainable, more productive: Evidence from ESG ratings and total factor productivity among listed Chinese firms," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 51(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:finlet:v:51:y:2023:i:c:s154461232200616x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.frl.2022.103439
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    6. David Buckle, 2023. "The futility of measuring relative performance of ESG portfolios if ESG investing improves the market performance," Journal of Asset Management, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 24(7), pages 601-607, December.
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    8. Opazo-Basáez, Marco & Monroy-Osorio, Juan Carlos & Marić, Josip, 2024. "Evaluating the effect of green technological innovations on organizational and environmental performance: A treble innovation approach," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 129(C).
    9. Jung, Hail & Lee, Junyoup & Song, Chang-Keun, 2023. "Carbon productivity and volatility," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 56(C).
    10. Yadu Zhang & Yiteng Zhang & Zuoren Sun, 2023. "The Impact of Carbon Emission Trading Policy on Enterprise ESG Performance: Evidence from China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-27, May.
    11. Zhou, Hailing & Liu, Ji, 2023. "Digitalization of the economy and resource efficiency for meeting the ESG goals," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 86(PA).
    12. Zhang, Ruifeng & Zhao, Lishuang & Song, Shuhong, 2024. "Does capital input contribute to green total-factor capital efficiency?," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 62(PB).
    13. Shan Wu & Ying Li, 2023. "A Study on the Impact of Digital Transformation on Corporate ESG Performance: The Mediating Role of Green Innovation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-17, April.
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