IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/finlet/v71y2025ics1544612324013801.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

The effect of environmental information disclosure on environmental rating divergence

Author

Listed:
  • Deng, Jianping
  • Chen, Han
  • Bai, Yuxin

Abstract

This study examine the relationship between environmental information disclosure and environmental rating divergence by empirically analyzing China's A-share listed companies from 2011 to 2020. The findings reveal a positive correlation between environmental information disclosure and rating divergence. When regulatory authorities tighten the norms for environmental information disclosure, the impact of corporate environmental disclosure on rating divergence is significantly reduced. Heterogeneity analyses indicate that the variations in environmental information disclosure are less pronounced among large-scale firms and state-owned enterprises. Additionally, audits conducted by the Big Four and the professional board contribute to mitigating the divergence in environmental information disclosure.

Suggested Citation

  • Deng, Jianping & Chen, Han & Bai, Yuxin, 2025. "The effect of environmental information disclosure on environmental rating divergence," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 71(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:finlet:v:71:y:2025:i:c:s1544612324013801
    DOI: 10.1016/j.frl.2024.106351
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1544612324013801
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.frl.2024.106351?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
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Roshima Said & Noorain Omar & Wan Nailah Abdullah, 2013. "Empirical investigations on boards, business characteristics, human capital and environmental reporting," Social Responsibility Journal, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 9(4), pages 534-553, September.
    2. Samuel M. Hartzmark & Abigail B. Sussman, 2019. "Do Investors Value Sustainability? A Natural Experiment Examining Ranking and Fund Flows," Journal of Finance, American Finance Association, vol. 74(6), pages 2789-2837, December.
    3. Roshima Said & Noorain Omar & Wan Nailah Abdullah, 2013. "Empirical investigations on boards, business characteristics, human capital and environmental reporting," Social Responsibility Journal, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 9(4), pages 534-553, September.
    4. Lev, B & Penman, Sh, 1990. "Voluntary Forecast Disclosure, Nondisclosure, And Stock-Prices," Journal of Accounting Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(1), pages 49-76.
    5. Rajna Gibson Brandon & Philipp Krueger & Peter Steffen Schmidt, 2021. "ESG Rating Disagreement and Stock Returns," Financial Analysts Journal, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 77(4), pages 104-127, October.
    6. Lai, Jinming & Ke, Jinjun & Lin, Shuping & Zhang, Pengdong & Zhang, Qihao, 2024. "Business environment optimization and labor income share of enterprises: Evidence from China," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 71(C).
    7. Chen, Wenchuan & Liu, Yu & Liu, Siyi & Chen, Yugang & Zhang, Pengdong, 2024. "The governance effects of social media engagement on M&A outcomes: Evidence from China," Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).
    8. Clive S. Lennox, 1999. "Audit Quality and Auditor Size: An Evaluation of Reputation and Deep Pockets Hypotheses," Journal of Business Finance & Accounting, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 26(7&8), pages 779-805.
    9. Patten, Dennis M., 2002. "The relation between environmental performance and environmental disclosure: a research note," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 27(8), pages 763-773, November.
    10. Yue Wu & Kaifu Zhang & Jinhong Xie, 2020. "Bad Greenwashing, Good Greenwashing: Corporate Social Responsibility and Information Transparency," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 66(7), pages 3095-3112, July.
    11. Lang, M & Lundholm, R, 1993. "Cross-Sectional Determinants Of Analyst Ratings Of Corporate Disclosures," Journal of Accounting Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(2), pages 246-271.
    12. Chen, Sicen & Liu, Siyi & Zhang, Junsheng & Zhang, Pengdong, 2023. "The effect of extreme rainfall on corporate financing policies," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 216(C), pages 670-685.
    13. Clarkson, Peter M. & Li, Yue & Richardson, Gordon D. & Vasvari, Florin P., 2008. "Revisiting the relation between environmental performance and environmental disclosure: An empirical analysis," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 33(4-5), pages 303-327.
    14. J. Anthony Cookson & Marina Niessner, 2020. "Why Don't We Agree? Evidence from a Social Network of Investors," Journal of Finance, American Finance Association, vol. 75(1), pages 173-228, February.
    15. Wang, Jiaxin & Yuan, Xue & Huang, Xiang & Liu, Chengxin & Zhang, Pengdong, 2024. "Can digitalization facilitate cross-border M&A? Evidence from Chinese A-share listed companies," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 67(PA).
    16. Clive S. Lennox, 1999. "Audit Quality and Auditor Size: An Evaluation of Reputation and Deep Pockets Hypotheses," Journal of Business Finance & Accounting, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 26(7‐8), pages 779-805, September.
    17. Tang, Xudong & Jia, Yang & Li, Rui, 2024. "Common institutional ownership types and corporate innovation: A taxonomy based on whether the investees are in the same industry," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 86(C).
    18. Aaron K. Chatterji & Rodolphe Durand & David I. Levine & Samuel Touboul, 2016. "Do ratings of firms converge? Implications for managers, investors and strategy researchers," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 37(8), pages 1597-1614, August.
    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. Chen, Lirong & Mu, Ruirui & Dai, Yanwen & Huang, Xuanhao, 2024. "Private enterprise identity and short-term debt for long-term investment: Evidence from China," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 67(PB).
    2. Han, Di & Guo, Wei & Chen, Han & Wang, Bocheng & Guo, Zikun, 2024. "LEST: Large language models and spatio-temporal data analysis for enhanced Sino-US exchange rate forecasting," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 96(PA).
    3. Guo, Xiaofang & Chen, Sicen & Liu, Chenlan, 2025. "Business environment optimization effects on enterprise environmental protection investment," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 71(C).
    4. Wang, Jiaxin & Guo, Xu & Sun, Di & Huang, Rui, 2024. "Alcohol culture and employee treatment," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 96(PB).
    5. Hans B. Christensen & Luzi Hail & Christian Leuz, 2021. "Mandatory CSR and sustainability reporting: economic analysis and literature review," Review of Accounting Studies, Springer, vol. 26(3), pages 1176-1248, September.
    6. Tsang, Albert & Frost, Tracie & Cao, Huijuan, 2023. "Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) disclosure: A literature review," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 55(1).
    7. Humphrey, Jacquelyn E. & Li, Yong, 2021. "Who goes green: Reducing mutual fund emissions and its consequences," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 126(C).
    8. Yin, Libo & Zhu, Xiaoye & Su, Zhi & Guo, Hongliang, 2025. "Is disagreement beneficial for market efficiency? Evidence from ESG ratings," Journal of International Money and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 154(C).
    9. Christian Danisch, 2021. "The Relationship of CSR Performance and Voluntary CSR Disclosure Extent in the German DAX Indices," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-20, April.
    10. Hu, Liang & Chen, Shishuo, 2024. "Artificial intelligence innovation and corporate environmental investment: A contingent view," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 69(PB).
    11. Jongmoo Jay Choi & Hoje Jo & Jimi Kim & Moo Sung Kim, 2018. "Business Groups and Corporate Social Responsibility," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 153(4), pages 931-954, December.
    12. Francesca Bernini & Fabio La Rosa, 2024. "Research in the greenwashing field: concepts, theories, and potential impacts on economic and social value," Journal of Management & Governance, Springer;Accademia Italiana di Economia Aziendale (AIDEA), vol. 28(2), pages 405-444, June.
    13. Liu, Xiangqiang & Yang, Qingqing & Wei, Kai & Dai, Peng-Fei, 2024. "ESG rating disagreement and idiosyncratic return volatility: Evidence from China," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 70(PB).
    14. Muck, Matthias & Schmidl, Thomas, 2024. "Comparing ESG score weighting approaches and stock performance differentiation," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 67(PB).
    15. Guidry, Ronald P. & Patten, Dennis M., 2012. "Voluntary disclosure theory and financial control variables: An assessment of recent environmental disclosure research," Accounting forum, Elsevier, vol. 36(2), pages 81-90.
    16. Font, Xavier & Walmsley, Andreas & Cogotti, Sara & McCombes, Lucy & Häusler, Nicole, 2012. "Corporate social responsibility: The disclosure–performance gap," Tourism Management, Elsevier, vol. 33(6), pages 1544-1553.
    17. Ling Jin & Jun-Hyeok Choi & Saerona Kim & Dong-Hoon Yang, 2021. "Government Environmental Pressure and Market Response to Carbon Disclosure: A Study of the Early Chinese ETS Implementation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-18, December.
    18. Siddique, Md Abubakar & Akhtaruzzaman, Md & Rashid, Afzalur & Hammami, Helmi, 2021. "Carbon disclosure, carbon performance and financial performance: International evidence," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 75(C).
    19. Rekha Pillai & Md. Aminul Islam & S. Sreejith & Husam Aldin Al-Malkawi, 2025. "Comparative analysis of environmental, social and governance (ESG) ratings: do sectors and regions differ?," Journal of Management & Governance, Springer;Accademia Italiana di Economia Aziendale (AIDEA), vol. 29(1), pages 69-109, March.
    20. Horn, Matthias & Oehler, Andreas, 2024. "Constructing stock portfolios by sorting on ESG ratings: Does the rating provider matter?," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 96(PA).

    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:eee:finlet:v:71:y:2025:i:c:s1544612324013801. 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: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/frl .

    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.