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The impact of digital transformation on corporate ESG performance

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  • Guo, Xin
  • Pang, Weiyan

Abstract

Taking all A-share listed companies in China from 2012 to 2021 as a research sample, this paper explores the internal mechanism of digital transformation affecting corporate ESG performance. The study found that digital transformation significantly improved corporate ESG performance. The results of the mechanism test show that digital transformation improves the ESG performance of enterprises by improving the level of green innovation and strengthening media attention. And environmental uncertainty plays a negative moderating role in the process of digital transformation to improve the ESG performance of enterprises.

Suggested Citation

  • Guo, Xin & Pang, Weiyan, 2025. "The impact of digital transformation on corporate ESG performance," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 72(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:finlet:v:72:y:2025:i:c:s1544612324015472
    DOI: 10.1016/j.frl.2024.106518
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Pengpeng Yue & Aslihan Gizem Korkmaz & Zhichao Yin & Haigang Zhou, 2022. "The rise of digital finance: Financial inclusion or debt trap," Papers 2201.09221, arXiv.org.
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    Cited by:

    1. Levente Péter Bálint & László Várallyai & Szilvia Botos, 2025. "Evaluation of Data-Driven Sustainability Potential at SMEs Using an Altered Ecocanvas Model," Economies, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-25, February.
    2. Zhu, Xiang & Chen, Hongtao & Xiang, Erwei & Qi, Yingjin, 2025. "Digital transformation and corporate green technology transfer: The moderating effect of executive green cognition," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 76(C).
    3. Ren, Hao, 2025. "ESG rating disagreement and corporate digital transformation," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 75(C).
    4. Rewayda Tobar, 2025. "Nonlinear Nexus Between ESG Scores and Corporate Performance of Insurance Companies in the MENAT Region: Moderating the Effect of Institutional Quality," Risks, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-21, April.

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