IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v17y2025i16p7362-d1724624.html

The Impact of ESG Performance on Corporate Investment Efficiency: Evidence from Chinese Agribusiness Companies

Author

Listed:
  • Anqi Ma

    (School of Economics, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255000, China)

  • Yue Gao

    (School of Economics, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255000, China)

  • Lirong Xing

    (School of Economics, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255000, China)

Abstract

This study conducts an empirical examination of the impact of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance) performance on corporate investment efficiency, utilizing fixed-effects and mediation-effects models with a sample of 125 listed agribusiness companies in China from 2013 to 2022. The results of the fixed-effects regression indicate that superior ESG performance can effectively enhance corporate investment efficiency. Furthermore, the results of the mediation-effects analysis unveil the underlying mechanism through which ESG performance contributes to investment efficiency: by reducing agency costs and alleviating financing constraints. Moreover, the heterogeneity analysis suggests that ESG performance promotes investment efficiency more significantly in low-competition and moderately competitive market environments. By contrast, its effect may be somewhat muted in highly competitive markets. The findings of this study indicate that agribusiness companies should integrate ESG strategies, increase information transparency disclosure, and refine the allocation and management of resources in their operations.

Suggested Citation

  • Anqi Ma & Yue Gao & Lirong Xing, 2025. "The Impact of ESG Performance on Corporate Investment Efficiency: Evidence from Chinese Agribusiness Companies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(16), pages 1-21, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:16:p:7362-:d:1724624
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/16/7362/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/16/7362/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Gunnar Friede & Timo Busch & Alexander Bassen, 2015. "ESG and financial performance: aggregated evidence from more than 2000 empirical studies," Journal of Sustainable Finance & Investment, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 5(4), pages 210-233, October.
    2. Lee, Michael T. & Raschke, Robyn L. & Krishen, Anjala S., 2023. "Understanding ESG scores and firm performance: Are high-performing firms E, S, and G-balanced?," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 195(C).
    3. Sakis Kotsantonis & Chris Pinney & George Serafeim, 2016. "ESG Integration in Investment Management: Myths and Realities," Journal of Applied Corporate Finance, Morgan Stanley, vol. 28(2), pages 10-16, June.
    4. Mohammed Benlemlih & Mohammad Bitar, 2018. "Corporate Social Responsibility and Investment Efficiency," Post-Print halshs-01321227, HAL.
    5. Zhiliang Wu & Shaowei Chen, 2024. "Does Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Performance Improve Financial Institutions’ Efficiency? Evidence from China," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-20, April.
    6. Jian Zhou & Xiaodong Lei & Jianglong Yu, 2024. "ESG rating divergence and corporate green innovation," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(4), pages 2911-2930, May.
    7. Bilyay-Erdogan, Seda & Danisman, Gamze Ozturk & Demir, Ender, 2024. "ESG performance and investment efficiency: The impact of information asymmetry," Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).
    8. Jun Xie & Wataru Nozawa & Michiyuki Yagi & Hidemichi Fujii & Shunsuke Managi, 2019. "Do environmental, social, and governance activities improve corporate financial performance?," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(2), pages 286-300, February.
    9. Hou, Xiaojuan & Xie, Guanxia, 2024. "ESG divergence and corporate strategic green patenting," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 67(PB).
    10. Yuzhong Lu & Cheng Xu & Bingsheng Zhu & Yanqi Sun, 2024. "Digitalization transformation and ESG performance: Evidence from China," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(2), pages 352-368, February.
    11. Ilze Zumente & Nataļja Lāce, 2021. "ESG Rating—Necessity for the Investor or the Company?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-14, August.
    12. Wanyi Chen, 2021. "Are financial derivatives tax havens? Evidence from China," International Journal of Emerging Markets, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 17(8), pages 1949-1972, January.
    13. Penrose, Edith, 2009. "The Theory of the Growth of the Firm," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, edition 4, number 9780199573844.
    14. Ahmed Saber Moussa & Mahmoud Elmarzouky & Doaa Shohaieb, 2024. "Green Governance: How ESG Initiatives Drive Financial Performance in UK Firms?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(24), pages 1-25, December.
    15. Broadstock, David C. & Chan, Kalok & Cheng, Louis T.W. & Wang, Xiaowei, 2021. "The role of ESG performance during times of financial crisis: Evidence from COVID-19 in China," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 38(C).
    16. Scott Richardson, 2006. "Over-investment of free cash flow," Review of Accounting Studies, Springer, vol. 11(2), pages 159-189, September.
    17. Tim Verheyden & Robert G. Eccles & Andreas Feiner, 2016. "ESG for All? The Impact of ESG Screening on Return, Risk, and Diversification," Journal of Applied Corporate Finance, Morgan Stanley, vol. 28(2), pages 47-55, June.
    18. Mohammed Benlemlih & Mohammad Bitar, 2018. "Corporate Social Responsibility and Investment Efficiency," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 148(3), pages 647-671, March.
    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. Marie, Mohamed & Qi, Baolei & Elgammal, Mohammed & Elnahass, Marwa, 2024. "A more sustainable future: Can politically connected CEOs spur the nexus between ESG performance and firm financial performance?," Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money, Elsevier, vol. 96(C).
    2. Pruthiranjan Dwibedi & Debasis Pahi & Antarjyami Sahu, 2024. "Mapping the landscape of environmental, social and governance research: A bibliometric analysis," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 31(5), pages 3745-3767, September.
    3. Paolo Capelli & Federica Ielasi & Angeloantonio Russo, 2021. "Forecasting volatility by integrating financial risk with environmental, social, and governance risk," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 28(5), pages 1483-1495, September.
    4. Liu, Xiaoxing & Wu, Yizhong & Li, Xuemei, 2025. "How does ESG affect systemic tail risk?," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 103(C).
    5. Huang, Chongle & Hao, Simin & Ma, Limei, 2025. "The impact of ESG advantages on the economic development of neighboring regions," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 145(C).
    6. Hyun-Jung Nam & Mehmet Huseyin Bilgin & Doojin Ryu, 2024. "Firm value, ownership structure, and strategic approaches to ESG activities," Eurasian Business Review, Springer;Eurasia Business and Economics Society, vol. 14(1), pages 187-226, March.
    7. Gong, Qi & Kong, Zhaoyang & Li, Liang & Dong, Xiucheng & Li, Yang, 2026. "The consequences of hypocrisy: how ESG greenwashing undermines green total factor productivity," Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money, Elsevier, vol. 106(C).
    8. Long, Rui & Fan, Zhaobin, 2025. "The impact of ESG performance on the perception of economic policy uncertainty: Evidence from China," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 85(C), pages 1456-1474.
    9. Gao, Daquan & Li, Songsong & Tian, Zhihong, 2025. "Geopolitical risk, energy market volatility, and corporate energy dependence: The role of green Total factor productivity and decentralized top management team network," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 148(C).
    10. Leonardo Becchetti & Emanuele Bobbio & Federico Prizia & Lorenzo Semplici, 2022. "Going Deeper into the S of ESG: A Relational Approach to the Definition of Social Responsibility," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-22, August.
    11. Lin, Jiayu & Pan, Dongliang & Sha, Yezhou, 2025. "The impact of ESG investment on fund performance: Evidence from mutual fund style drift," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).
    12. Azmi, Wajahat & Hassan, M. Kabir & Houston, Reza & Karim, Mohammad Sydul, 2021. "ESG activities and banking performance: International evidence from emerging economies," Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money, Elsevier, vol. 70(C).
    13. Lööf, Hans & Sahamkhadam, Maziar & Stephan, Andreas, 2022. "Is Corporate Social Responsibility investing a free lunch? The relationship between ESG, tail risk, and upside potential of stocks before and during the COVID-19 crisis," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 46(PB).
    14. Yin, Zhujia & Deng, Rantian & Xia, Jiejin & Zhao, Lili, 2024. "Climate risk and corporate ESG performance: Evidence from China," The North American Journal of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    15. Xin Wang & Xiayun Song & Mingyang Sun, 2023. "How Does a Company’s ESG Performance Affect the Issuance of an Audit Opinion? The Moderating Role of Auditor Experience," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-17, February.
    16. Rania Missaoui, 2025. "Corporate investment in corrupt environments: the case of the BRICS countries," SN Business & Economics, Springer, vol. 5(10), pages 1-28, October.
    17. Wang, Liangcheng & Chen, Yizheng, 2025. "Artificial intelligence and corporate investment efficiency: Evidence from China," Emerging Markets Review, Elsevier, vol. 68(C).
    18. Yang Liu & Sameer Kumar & Huiqing Liu & Shun Li & Ziyun Zhou, 2025. "ESG performance, digital transformation, and green innovation," Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 12(1), pages 1-19, December.
    19. Corinna Irina Ketterling, 2026. "From voluntary CSR to binding ESG frameworks: a legal perspective on sustainability disclosure standards," Future Business Journal, Springer, vol. 12(1), pages 1-26, December.
    20. Lai, Xiaobing & Quan, Lei & Guo, Chong & Gao, Xing, 2025. "Exploring the digital era: Has digital technology innovation reshaped investment efficiency in Chinese enterprises?," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 75(C).

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    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:17:y:2025:i:16:p:7362-:d:1724624. 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.