IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/futbus/v11y2025i1d10.1186_s43093-025-00556-0.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Unraveling environmental performance determinants: a dual analysis using FsQCA and PLS-SEM

Author

Listed:
  • Atia Alam

    (Kinnaird College for Women)

  • Fakiha Bilal

    (Kinnaird College for Women)

  • Farah Naz

    (Kinnaird College for Women)

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the key financial and governance-related determinants of environmental performance among firms in an emerging market context. Given the increasing global emphasis on sustainability, understanding the drivers of corporate environmental engagement is both timely and necessary. Despite extensive research in developed countries, there remains a gap in identifying how firm-specific attributes contribute to environmental outcomes in less regulated environments. To address this, the study adopts a dual methodological approach, combining Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) and Fuzzy Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA). PLS-SEM identifies the net effects of variables such as firm size, profitability, intellectual capital, and board structure, while fsQCA reveals multiple configurations of conditions that lead to high environmental performance. The findings underscore the role of both financial strength and governance mechanisms in promoting sustainable practices. This study contributes to the literature by integrating linear and configurational methods and by offering empirical evidence from a developing economy.

Suggested Citation

  • Atia Alam & Fakiha Bilal & Farah Naz, 2025. "Unraveling environmental performance determinants: a dual analysis using FsQCA and PLS-SEM," Future Business Journal, Springer, vol. 11(1), pages 1-16, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:futbus:v:11:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1186_s43093-025-00556-0
    DOI: 10.1186/s43093-025-00556-0
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1186/s43093-025-00556-0
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1186/s43093-025-00556-0?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

    for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. José Vale & Rafaela Miranda & Graça Azevedo & Maria C. Tavares, 2022. "The Impact of Sustainable Intellectual Capital on Sustainable Performance: A Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-17, April.
    2. Supriti Mishra & Damodar Suar, 2010. "Does Corporate Social Responsibility Influence Firm Performance of Indian Companies?," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 95(4), pages 571-601, September.
    3. Mohammad Nasih & Iman Harymawan & Yuanita Intan Paramitasari & Azizah Handayani, 2019. "Carbon Emissions, Firm Size, and Corporate Governance Structure: Evidence from the Mining and Agricultural Industries in Indonesia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(9), pages 1-14, April.
    4. Dechezleprêtre, Antoine & Nachtigall, Daniel & Venmans, Frank, 2023. "The joint impact of the European Union emissions trading system on carbon emissions and economic performance," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 118(C).
    5. Rifqi Muhammad & Muhammad Aldino Mangawing & Selfira Salsabilla, 2021. "The influence of intellectual capital and corporate governance on financial performance of Islamic banks," Jurnal Ekonomi & Keuangan Islam, Faculty of Economics, Universitas Islam Indonesia, vol. 7(1), pages 77-91.
    6. Zijian Liu & Lian Cai & Yabin Zhang, 2022. "Gender Diversity and Environmental Performance: New Evidence from China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-15, October.
    7. Ali Amin & Rizwan Ali & Ramiz ur Rehman & Muhammad Akram Naseem & Muhammad Ishfaq Ahmad, 2022. "Female presence in corporate governance, firm performance, and the moderating role of family ownership," Economic Research-Ekonomska Istraživanja, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 35(1), pages 929-948, December.
    8. Xingqiang Du & Jianying Weng & Quan Zeng & Yingying Chang & Hongmei Pei, 2017. "Do Lenders Applaud Corporate Environmental Performance? Evidence from Chinese Private-Owned Firms," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 143(1), pages 179-207, June.
    9. Shad S. Morris & Sharon A. Alvarez & Jay B. Barney & Janice C. Molloy, 2017. "Firm-specific human capital investments as a signal of general value: Revisiting assumptions about human capital and how it is managed," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 38(4), pages 912-919, April.
    10. Yakira Fernández-Torres & Milagros Gutiérrez-Fernández & Clara Gallego-Sosa, 2021. "Environmental Performance of the Tourism Sector from a Gender Diversity Perspective," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-26, August.
    11. Chong Guo & Huisu Lai & Yalin Jiang & Yingyu Wu, 2023. "Debt finance and environmental performance of heavily polluting companies in China: the perspective of the green credit guideline policy," Asia-Pacific Journal of Accounting & Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 30(1), pages 212-229, January.
    12. Alina Badulescu & Daniel Badulescu & Tomina Saveanu & Roxana Hatos, 2018. "The Relationship between Firm Size and Age, and Its Social Responsibility Actions—Focus on a Developing Country (Romania)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-21, March.
    13. Chung, Kee H. & Zhang, Hao, 2011. "Corporate Governance and Institutional Ownership," Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis, Cambridge University Press, vol. 46(1), pages 247-273, February.
    14. Sadok El Ghoul & Omrane Guedhami & Yongtae Kim, 2017. "Country-level institutions, firm value, and the role of corporate social responsibility initiatives," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 48(3), pages 360-385, April.
    15. Pappas, Ilias O. & Woodside, Arch G., 2021. "Fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA): Guidelines for research practice in Information Systems and marketing," International Journal of Information Management, Elsevier, vol. 58(C).
    16. Quang Linh Huynh & Mohammad Enamul Hoque & Perengki Susanto & Waqas Ahmad Watto & Maryam Ashraf, 2022. "Does Financial Leverage Mediates Corporate Governance and Firm Performance?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-20, October.
    17. Xinshu Zhao & John G. Lynch & Qimei Chen, 2010. "Reconsidering Baron and Kenny: Myths and Truths about Mediation Analysis," Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Consumer Research Inc., vol. 37(2), pages 197-206, August.
    18. Kai Quan Zhang & Hsing Hung Chen, 2017. "Environmental Performance and Financing Decisions Impact on Sustainable Financial Development of Chinese Environmental Protection Enterprises," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(12), pages 1-14, December.
    19. María E. Aguilar-Fernández & José Ramon Otegi-Olaso, 2018. "Firm Size and the Business Model for Sustainable Innovation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-27, December.
    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. Mohammad Nasih & Iman Harymawan & Yuanita Intan Paramitasari & Azizah Handayani, 2019. "Carbon Emissions, Firm Size, and Corporate Governance Structure: Evidence from the Mining and Agricultural Industries in Indonesia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(9), pages 1-14, April.
    2. Wang, Lu & Su, Zhong-qin & Fung, Hung-Gay & Jin, Hong-min & Xiao, Zuoping, 2021. "Do CEOs with academic experience add value to firms? Evidence on bank loans from Chinese firms," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 67(C).
    3. Ria Ria, 2023. "Determinant Factors of Corporate Governance on Company Performance: Mediating Role of Capital Structure," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-14, January.
    4. Bissoondoyal-Bheenick, Emawtee & Brooks, Robert & Do, Hung Xuan, 2023. "ESG and firm performance: The role of size and media channels," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 121(C).
    5. Roberto Fernández-Gago & Laura Cabeza-García & Mariano Nieto, 2016. "Corporate social responsibility, board of directors, and firm performance: an analysis of their relationships," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 10(1), pages 85-104, January.
    6. Jacobs, Nele & Swoboda, Bernhard, 2023. "The role of national institutions in the effects of consumers’ perceived customer orientation and firm innovativeness," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 32(5).
    7. Beatriz Jiménez‐Parra & Daniel Alonso‐Martínez & José‐Luis Godos‐Díez, 2018. "The influence of corporate social responsibility on air pollution: Analysis of environmental regulation and eco‐innovation effects," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 25(6), pages 1363-1375, November.
    8. Liliana Nicoleta Simionescu & Dalina Dumitrescu, 2018. "Empirical Study towards Corporate Social Responsibility Practices and Company Financial Performance. Evidence for Companies Listed on the Bucharest Stock Exchange," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-23, September.
    9. Jajja, Muhammad Shakeel Sadiq & Asif, Muhammad & Montabon, Frank & Chatha, Kamran Ali, 2020. "The indirect effect of social responsibility standards on organizational performance in apparel supply chains: A developing country perspective," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 139(C).
    10. Amoako, George Kofi & Dartey-Baah, Kwasi & Naatu, Felicia & Acquah, Innocent Senyo Kwasi & Gabrah, Antoinette Yaa Benewaa, 2024. "Corporate social responsibility and brand performance: Evidence from Ghana," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 30(4).
    11. Chen, Yajie & Zhang, Dayong & Guo, Kun & Ji, Qiang, 2024. "Emission trading schemes and cross-border mergers and acquisitions," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 124(C).
    12. Abdullah A. Aljughaiman & Kaouther E. Chebbi, 2022. "Do Investor Overconfidence and Loss Aversion Drive Saudi Firm Market Performance? The Moderating Effect of Corporate Governance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-15, August.
    13. Zied Ftiti & Maher Jeriji & Sourour Kammoun & Waël Louhichi & Amel Zenaidi, 2024. "Corporate social responsibility disclosure and corporate creditworthiness: Evidence from the UK," International Journal of Finance & Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 29(2), pages 1259-1276, April.
    14. Aruna Jha & Vijita Singh Aggrawal, 2019. "Institutional pressures for corporate social responsibility implementation: a study of Indian executives," Social Responsibility Journal, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 16(4), pages 555-577, June.
    15. Al-Mamun, Abdullah & Seamer, Michael, 2021. "Board of director attributes and CSR engagement in emerging economy firms: Evidence from across Asia," Emerging Markets Review, Elsevier, vol. 46(C).
    16. Nguyen, Van Ha & Choi, Bobae & Agbola, Frank W., 2020. "Corporate social responsibility and debt maturity: Australian evidence," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 62(C).
    17. Shobha Tewari & Bibek Bhattacharya, 2023. "Financial resources, corporate social responsibility, and ownership type: Evidence from India," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 40(3), pages 1093-1132, September.
    18. Nandy, Monomita & Lodh, Suman & Kaur, Jaskaran & Wang, Jin, 2020. "Impact of directors' networks on corporate social responsibility: A cross country study," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 72(C).
    19. Muddassar Sarfraz & Wang Qun & Li Hui & Muhammad Ibrahim Abdullah, 2018. "Environmental Risk Management Strategies and the Moderating Role of Corporate Social Responsibility in Project Financing Decisions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(8), pages 1-17, August.
    20. Gao, Xin & Xu, Weidong & Li, Donghui, 2025. "Media coverage and managerial investment learning from stock markets: International evidence," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 76(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:spr:futbus:v:11:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1186_s43093-025-00556-0. 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: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.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.