IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v15y2023i15p11989-d1210346.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Empirical Analysis of the Impact of Top Management Team Social Networks on the Homophily Effect of ESG Disclosure in Companies

Author

Listed:
  • Jing Zhang

    (Graduate School, Kyonggi University, Suwon 16227, Republic of Korea)

  • Ziyang Liu

    (Graduate School, Kyonggi University, Suwon 16227, Republic of Korea)

Abstract

This study investigates the homophily effect in corporate information disclosure, specifically focusing on executive social networks. We analyze data from 385 privately listed companies in China’s Growth Enterprise Market between 2018 and 2021. An OLS regression model is employed to examine the presence of a homophily effect in ESG information disclosure by private enterprises, along with regional and industry variations. Additionally, we utilize a moderation effect model to assess the influence of executive social networks on the homophily effect of ESG information disclosure. We conduct robustness tests based on our findings. The results indicate a significant homophily effect in ESG information disclosure by private enterprises, with varying magnitudes across regions and industries. Furthermore, executive social networks positively moderate the homophily effect, suggesting that a more diverse social network among the executive team enhances the homophily effect of ESG information disclosure for private enterprises. These findings offer valuable insights for corporate low-carbon sustainable development.

Suggested Citation

  • Jing Zhang & Ziyang Liu, 2023. "Empirical Analysis of the Impact of Top Management Team Social Networks on the Homophily Effect of ESG Disclosure in Companies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-14, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:15:p:11989-:d:1210346
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/15/11989/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/15/11989/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Lauren Cohen & Andrea Frazzini & Christopher Malloy, 2008. "The Small World of Investing: Board Connections and Mutual Fund Returns," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 116(5), pages 951-979, October.
    2. Gunther Capelle-Blancard & Aurélien Petit, 2019. "Every Little Helps? ESG News and Stock Market Reaction," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 157(2), pages 543-565, June.
    3. Haoyuan Ding & Yichuan Hu & Xiyi Yang & Xiaoyu Zhou, 2022. "Board interlock and the diffusion of corporate social responsibility among Chinese listed firms," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 39(4), pages 1287-1320, December.
    4. Khan, Muhammad Arif, 2022. "ESG disclosure and Firm performance: A bibliometric and meta analysis," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 61(C).
    5. Brian Bratten & Jeff L. Payne & Wayne B. Thomas, 2016. "Earnings Management: Do Firms Play “Follow the Leader†?," Contemporary Accounting Research, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 33(2), pages 616-643, June.
    6. Conyon, Martin J. & He, Lerong, 2011. "Executive compensation and corporate governance in China," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 17(4), pages 1158-1175, September.
    7. Yael V. Hochberg & Alexander Ljungqvist & Yang Lu, 2007. "Whom You Know Matters: Venture Capital Networks and Investment Performance," Journal of Finance, American Finance Association, vol. 62(1), pages 251-301, February.
    8. Jiali Liu & Xinran Xie & Yu Duan & Liang Tang, 2023. "Peer effects and the mechanisms in corporate capital structure: evidence from Chinese listed firms," Oeconomia Copernicana, Institute of Economic Research, vol. 14(1), pages 295-326, March.
    9. Aerts, Walter & Cormier, Denis & Magnan, Michel, 2006. "Intra-industry imitation in corporate environmental reporting: An international perspective," Journal of Accounting and Public Policy, Elsevier, vol. 25(3), pages 299-331.
    10. Shen, Xieyang & Yang, Sijie & Chen, Yulin & Zeng, Jianyu, 2022. "How does economic policy uncertainty influence managers' learning from peers' stock prices? Evidence from China," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    11. Kaustia, Markku & Rantala, Ville, 2015. "Social learning and corporate peer effects," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 117(3), pages 653-669.
    12. Mark T. Leary & Michael R. Roberts, 2014. "Do Peer Firms Affect Corporate Financial Policy?," Journal of Finance, American Finance Association, vol. 69(1), pages 139-178, February.
    13. Yar M. Ebadi & James M. Utterback, 1984. "The Effects of Communication on Technological Innovation," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 30(5), pages 572-585, May.
    14. David T. Robinson & Toby E. Stuart, 2007. "Network Effects in the Governance of Strategic Alliances," The Journal of Law, Economics, and Organization, Oxford University Press, vol. 23(1), pages 242-273, April.
    15. MARA FACCIO & RONALD W. MASULIS & JOHN J. McCONNELL, 2006. "Political Connections and Corporate Bailouts," Journal of Finance, American Finance Association, vol. 61(6), pages 2597-2635, December.
    16. Juan Zhang, 2019. "Executive Social Network and Enterprise Innovation," Journal of Accounting, Business and Finance Research, Scientific Publishing Institute, vol. 7(1), pages 17-23.
    17. Ningning Kong & Yu Bao & Yiyuan Sun & Yawen Wang, 2023. "Corporations’ ESG for Sustainable Investment in China: The Moderating Role of Regional Marketization," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-22, February.
    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. Ajirloo, Bahman Fathi & Switzer, Lorne N., 2022. "Self-disclosed peer effects on corporate capital structure," Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    2. Quoc-Anh Do & Yen-Teik Lee & Bang Dang Nguyen, 2016. "Directors as Connectors: The Impact of the External Networks of Directors on Firms," Sciences Po publications 52, Sciences Po.
    3. Quoc-Anh Do & Yen-Teik Lee & Bang Dang Nguyen, 2013. "Political Connections and Firm Value: Evidence from the Regression Discontinuity Design of Close Gubernatorial Elections," Working Papers hal-03460972, HAL.
    4. repec:hal:spmain:info:hdl:2441/65rged1j6o9gl9jvp8a09o3eue is not listed on IDEAS
    5. Michela Rancan, 2013. "The Value of Social Networks in Financial Markets," RSCAS Working Papers 2013/21, European University Institute.
    6. Michael Bailey & Ruiqing Cao & Theresa Kuchler & Johannes Stroebel, 2016. "Social Networks and Housing Markets," NBER Working Papers 22258, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    7. Cai, Ye & Sevilir, Merih, 2012. "Board connections and M&A transactions," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 103(2), pages 327-349.
    8. Ulrike Malmendier, 2018. "Behavioral Corporate Finance," NBER Working Papers 25162, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    9. Hui Zhao & Ao Lei & Yuhui Li & Dingjun Hong, 2023. "The Sectoral and Regional Peer Influences on Heavy-Pollution Corporate Environmental, Social, and Governance Performance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-42, August.
    10. repec:hal:wpspec:info:hdl:2441/7o52iohb7k6srk09n0dcia0po is not listed on IDEAS
    11. Quoc-Anh Do & Yen-Teik Lee & Bang Dang Nguyen, 2016. "Directors as Connectors: The Impact of the External Networks of Directors on Firms," Post-Print hal-03393196, HAL.
    12. Quoc-Anh Do & Yen-Teik Lee & Bang Dang Nguyen, 2013. "Political Connections and Firm Value: Evidence from the Regression Discontinuity Design of Close Gubernatorial Elections," Working Papers hal-03460972, HAL.
    13. Francis, Bill B. & Hasan, Iftekhar & Zhu, Yun, 2021. "The impact of political uncertainty on institutional ownership," Journal of Financial Stability, Elsevier, vol. 57(C).
    14. Chen, Xiao & Chong, Zhaohui & Giudici, Paolo & Huang, Bihong, 2022. "Network centrality effects in peer to peer lending," Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, Elsevier, vol. 600(C).
    15. Felipe Cortes & Francisco Marcet, 2023. "Analysts’ Connections and M&A Outcomes," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 69(7), pages 4108-4133, July.
    16. repec:spo:wpecon:info:hdl:2441/7o52iohb7k6srk09n0dcia0po is not listed on IDEAS
    17. Du, Qianqian, 2016. "Birds of a feather or celebrating differences? The formation and impacts of venture capital syndication," Journal of Empirical Finance, Elsevier, vol. 39(PA), pages 1-14.
    18. Stuart, Toby E. & Yim, Soojin, 2010. "Board interlocks and the propensity to be targeted in private equity transactions," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 97(1), pages 174-189, July.
    19. Larcker, David F. & So, Eric C. & Wang, Charles C.Y., 2013. "Boardroom centrality and firm performance," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 55(2), pages 225-250.
    20. Stephen P. Ferris & David Javakhadze & Tijana Rajkovic, 2019. "An international analysis of CEO social capital and corporate risk‐taking," European Financial Management, European Financial Management Association, vol. 25(1), pages 3-37, January.
    21. repec:hal:spmain:info:hdl:2441/5q8d3q8agf8hdbs42laqdfujkb is not listed on IDEAS
    22. repec:hal:spmain:info:hdl:2441/7o52iohb7k6srk09n0dcia0po is not listed on IDEAS
    23. Duchin, Ran & Martin, Xiumin & Michaely, Roni & Wang, Hanmeng, 2022. "Concierge treatment from banks: Evidence from the paycheck protection program," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 72(C).
    24. Wei He & Qian Wang, 2020. "The peer effect of corporate financial decisions around split share structure reform in China," Review of Financial Economics, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 38(3), pages 474-493, July.
    25. Ishii, Joy & Xuan, Yuhai, 2014. "Acquirer-target social ties and merger outcomes," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 112(3), pages 344-363.

    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:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:15:p:11989-:d:1210346. 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: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    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.