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State shareholding in privately-owned enterprises and their ESG performance: Evidence from China

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  • Wang, Qi
  • Ma, Zhong
  • Wang, Xinyue
  • Wu, Di

Abstract

Utilizing Chinese mixed ownership reform that allows state-owned equity to participate in privately-owned enterprises (POEs), we find that ESG performance of POEs is enhanced with increased state shareholding. Mechanism tests demonstrate that state shareholding alleviates agency problems and financial constraints faced by POEs, thereby leading to enhanced ESG performance. Heterogeneity tests show that the positive impact is more salient among POEs with less aggressive business strategies, as well as those operating in monopolistic and lightly polluting industries. Additionally, by separating three individual components of ESG, we find that the positive impact is salient on social (S) and governance (G) performance.

Suggested Citation

  • Wang, Qi & Ma, Zhong & Wang, Xinyue & Wu, Di, 2024. "State shareholding in privately-owned enterprises and their ESG performance: Evidence from China," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 60(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:finlet:v:60:y:2024:i:c:s1544612323012631
    DOI: 10.1016/j.frl.2023.104891
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    Cited by:

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    6. Wang Xueqing & Shi Yongdong & Wang Jianxiang & Wang Guiliang & Wei Zeshuai & Li Jingyi, 2025. "Does Corporate ESG Performance Enhance Sustained Green Innovation? Empirical Evidence from China," Economics - The Open-Access, Open-Assessment Journal, De Gruyter, vol. 19(1), pages 1-18.
    7. Chen, Chaofan & Li, Wen-Bo & Zhang, Heng, 2024. "How do property rights affect corporate ESG performance? The moderating effect of green innovation efficiency," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).
    8. Tian, Lihui & Wu, Haifeng & Zhu, Xiaoman, 2025. "Does climate risk perception drive the realization of corporate environmental responsibility?," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Finance, Elsevier, vol. 47(C).
    9. Jinhua Li & Kui Wang & Yali Mei, 2025. "State-Owned Capital Participation and Corporate Environmental, Social, and Governance Performance: Evidence from Chinese Private Firms," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 16(3), pages 12364-12391, September.
    10. Yuxiao Gu & Shihong Zeng & Qiao Peng, 2025. "The Mutual Relationships Between ESG, Total Factor Productivity (TFP), and Energy Efficiency (EE) for Chinese Listed Firms," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-42, March.

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    JEL classification:

    • G18 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Government Policy and Regulation
    • G30 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - General
    • G34 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Mergers; Acquisitions; Restructuring; Corporate Governance

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