IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/sae/engenv/v36y2025i4p1648-1669.html

Social credit system construction and corporate environmental performance: A quasi-natural experiment from China

Author

Listed:
  • Xinghua Cui
  • Xueping Ning
  • Ning Xu
  • Wenjie Zhang

Abstract

This study explores the role of social credit system construction, an informal institution, in improving corporate environmental performance. To identify the causal connections between social credit and corporate environmental performance, the progressive difference-in-differences (DID) method is adopted by introducing the social credit system construction pilots aiming to improve the social credit environment of China as a quasi-natural experiment. Empirical results imply that social credit system constructions exert a significant improvement effect on corporate environmental performance. In addition, corporate innovation, financial constraints alleviation, and the strengthening of environmental cases enforcement are three effective action mechanisms by which social credit system constructions helping improve corporate environmental performance. Moreover, this promotion effect presents heterogeneity characteristics due to enterprises ownership and the environmental pollution degree of the city where the enterprise is located. This study provides an informal institutional perspective for the green development of enterprises.

Suggested Citation

  • Xinghua Cui & Xueping Ning & Ning Xu & Wenjie Zhang, 2025. "Social credit system construction and corporate environmental performance: A quasi-natural experiment from China," Energy & Environment, , vol. 36(4), pages 1648-1669, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:engenv:v:36:y:2025:i:4:p:1648-1669
    DOI: 10.1177/0958305X231199153
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0958305X231199153
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1177/0958305X231199153?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
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Wang Dong & Hongling Han & Yun Ke & Kam C. Chan, 2018. "Social Trust and Corporate Misconduct: Evidence from China," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 151(2), pages 539-562, August.
    2. Claude Francoeur & Faten Lakhal & Safa Gaaya & Itidel Ben Saad, 2021. "How do powerful CEOs influence corporate environmental performance?," Post-Print hal-02976839, HAL.
    3. Greenwood, Jeremy & Jovanovic, Boyan, 1990. "Financial Development, Growth, and the Distribution of Income," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 98(5), pages 1076-1107, October.
    4. Djankov, Simeon & McLiesh, Caralee & Shleifer, Andrei, 2007. "Private credit in 129 countries," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 84(2), pages 299-329, May.
    5. Kizys, Renatas & Mamatzakis, Emmanuel C. & Tzouvanas, Panagiotis, 2023. "Does genetic diversity on corporate boards lead to improved environmental performance?," Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money, Elsevier, vol. 84(C).
    6. Pengyu Chen & Yuanyuan Hao, 2022. "Digital transformation and corporate environmental performance: The moderating role of board characteristics," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 29(5), pages 1757-1767, September.
    7. repec:hal:journl:hal-03562646 is not listed on IDEAS
    8. Francoeur, Claude & Lakhal, Faten & Gaaya, Safa & Ben Saad, Itidel, 2021. "How do powerful CEOs influence corporate environmental performance?," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 94(C), pages 121-129.
    9. Ge Li & Da Gao & Yi Li, 2023. "Impacts of Market‐based Environmental Regulation on Green Total Factor Energy Efficiency in China," China & World Economy, Institute of World Economics and Politics, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, vol. 31(3), pages 92-114, May.
    10. Cull, Robert & Li, Wei & Sun, Bo & Xu, Lixin Colin, 2015. "Government connections and financial constraints: Evidence from a large representative sample of Chinese firms," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 32(C), pages 271-294.
    11. Charles J. Hadlock & Joshua R. Pierce, 2010. "New Evidence on Measuring Financial Constraints: Moving Beyond the KZ Index," The Review of Financial Studies, Society for Financial Studies, vol. 23(5), pages 1909-1940.
    12. Thorsten Beck & Ross Levine & Alexey Levkov, 2010. "Big Bad Banks? The Winners and Losers from Bank Deregulation in the United States," Journal of Finance, American Finance Association, vol. 65(5), pages 1637-1667, October.
    13. Cao, Chunfang & Xia, Changyuan & Chan, Kam C., 2016. "Social trust and stock price crash risk: Evidence from China," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 46(C), pages 148-165.
    14. de Janvry, Alain & McIntosh, Craig & Sadoulet, Elisabeth, 2010. "The supply- and demand-side impacts of credit market information," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 93(2), pages 173-188, November.
    15. Cherniwchan, Jevan, 2017. "Trade liberalization and the environment: Evidence from NAFTA and U.S. manufacturing," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 105(C), pages 130-149.
    16. Kong, Dongmin & Shu, Yijia & Wang, Yanan, 2021. "Corruption and corporate social responsibility: Evidence from a quasi-natural experiment in China⋆," Journal of Asian Economics, Elsevier, vol. 75(C).
    17. Hossain, Ashrafee & Hossain, Takdir & Jha, Anand & Mougoué, Mbodja, 2023. "Credit ratings and social capital," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    18. Jane Wenzhen Lu & Yuanyang Song & Mengmeng Shan, 2018. "Social trust in subnational regions and foreign subsidiary performance: Evidence from foreign investments in China," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 49(6), pages 761-773, August.
    19. Zhang, Bingbing & Wang, Yuan & Sun, Chuanwang, 2023. "Urban environmental legislation and corporate environmental performance: End governance or process control?," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 118(C).
    20. Ye, Fei & Ouyang, You & Li, Yina, 2023. "Digital investment and environmental performance: The mediating roles of production efficiency and green innovation," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 259(C).
    21. King, Robert G. & Levine, Ross, 1993. "Finance, entrepreneurship and growth: Theory and evidence," Journal of Monetary Economics, Elsevier, vol. 32(3), pages 513-542, December.
    22. Baoyin Qiu & Junli Yu & Kam C. Chan, 2021. "Does social trust restrain firm financing violations? Evidence from China," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 61(1), pages 543-560, March.
    23. Hu, Shan & Yu, Yongze & Fei, Qingyu, 2023. "Social credit and patent quality: Evidence from China," Journal of Asian Economics, Elsevier, vol. 84(C).
    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. Linghu, Jingying & Guo, Chengcheng, 2024. "Digital government: The new player in improving mining companies’ environmental performance?," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 93(C).
    2. Tao, Yunqing & Kong, Dongmin & Sun, Nan & Li, Xiaofan, 2024. "Social credit and corporate risk-taking: Evidence from China," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 69(C).
    3. Jean-Pierre Allegret & Sana Azzabi, 2014. "Intégration financière internationale et croissance économique dans les pays émergents et en développement : le canal du développement financier," Revue d’économie du développement, De Boeck Université, vol. 22(3), pages 27-68.
    4. Chris Doucouliagos & Jakob de Haan & Jan-Egbert Sturm, 2022. "What drives financial development? A Meta-regression analysis [A new database of financial reforms]," Oxford Economic Papers, Oxford University Press, vol. 74(3), pages 840-868.
    5. Imen Mohamed Sghaier, 2018. "Financial Development, Institutions and Economic Growth in North African Countries," Romanian Economic Journal, Department of International Business and Economics from the Academy of Economic Studies Bucharest, vol. 21(69), pages 53-72, September.
    6. Guo, Bingnan & Hu, Peiji & Lin, Ji, 2024. "The effect of digital infrastructure development on enterprise green transformation," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 92(C).
    7. Olabimtan Adebowale & Dr Ralitza Dimova, 2016. "Does access to formal finance matter for welfare and inequality? Micro level evidence from Nigeria," Global Development Institute Working Paper Series 072016, GDI, The University of Manchester.
    8. Aloisio Araujo & Bruno Funchal, 2015. "How Much Should Debtors be Punished in Case of Default?," Journal of Financial Services Research, Springer;Western Finance Association, vol. 47(2), pages 229-245, April.
    9. Beck Thorsten & Büyükkarabacak Berrak & Rioja Felix K. & Valev Neven T., 2012. "Who Gets the Credit? And Does It Matter? Household vs. Firm Lending Across Countries," The B.E. Journal of Macroeconomics, De Gruyter, vol. 12(1), pages 1-46, March.
    10. Zhang, Jingxue & Yu, Shiwei & Zhang, Yue-Jun & Su, Bin & Sun, Ya-Fang, 2025. "How do renewable energy policies affect energy green development? Evidence from Chinese listed energy firms," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 142(C).
    11. Beck, Thorsten & Chen, Tao & Lin, Chen & Song, Frank M., 2016. "Financial innovation: The bright and the dark sides," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 72(C), pages 28-51.
    12. Laeven, Luc & Levine, Ross & Michalopoulos, Stelios, 2015. "Financial innovation and endogenous growth," Journal of Financial Intermediation, Elsevier, vol. 24(1), pages 1-24.
    13. Hsu, Po-Hsuan & Tian, Xuan & Xu, Yan, 2014. "Financial development and innovation: Cross-country evidence," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 112(1), pages 116-135.
    14. Hasan Cömert & Gerald Epstein, 2016. "Finansal Yenilik Yazinindaki Son Gelismeler," STPS Working Papers 1604, STPS - Science and Technology Policy Studies Center, Middle East Technical University, revised Jan 2016.
    15. Jinbo Wang & Maosheng Ran & Yi Li & Heng Zhan, 2022. "Is venture capital a catalyst for innovative entrepreneurship in China? Empirical analysis based on the PSM‐DID method," Managerial and Decision Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 43(4), pages 1039-1058, June.
    16. Xiao Chi Wang & Wei Hao & Jiali Fang & Ji (George) Wu & Liping Zou, 2024. "Trust and corporate debt maturity mismatch: Evidence from China," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 64(2), pages 2147-2172, June.
    17. Xu, Yekun & Zhao, Jiayu & Zhong, Ruohan & Zhang, Qiang, 2026. "Bank competition and corporate tax avoidance: the Chinese experience," Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money, Elsevier, vol. 106(C).
    18. Antunes, António & Cavalcanti, Tiago & Villamil, Anne, 2008. "The effect of financial repression and enforcement on entrepreneurship and economic development," Journal of Monetary Economics, Elsevier, vol. 55(2), pages 278-297, March.
    19. Amore, Mario Daniele & Schneider, Cédric & Žaldokas, Alminas, 2013. "Credit supply and corporate innovation," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 109(3), pages 835-855.
    20. Jin, Jian & Xu, Su & Gao, Bei, 2025. "Can energy efficiency credit guidelines boost enterprises' low-carbon technological innovation? Evidence from China," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 150(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:sae:engenv:v:36:y:2025:i:4:p:1648-1669. 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: SAGE Publications (email available below). General contact details of provider: .

    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.