Topic Editors

Department of Business Administration, Kyonggi University, Suwon, Republic of Korea
Dr. Eun-mi Lee
Department of Business Administration, Dongseo University, Busan, Republic of Korea

Antecedents and Consequences of ESG from an Organizational Perspective

Abstract submission deadline
closed (1 May 2024)
Manuscript submission deadline
closed (30 March 2025)
Viewed by
11992

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

ESG is a powerful competitive strategy that has emerged as a prime target for many companies, spearheading social and environmental changes valued by the public. Previously, many studies have reported that consumers’ perceived values (i.e., social, economic, ethical values, etc.) influence CSR perception or value co-creation. However, we need to further explore what causes the positive perception of ESG among the constituents (i.e., employees, stockholders, suppliers and the public) from diverse backgrounds, drawing on psychology, sociology and behavioral science. Previous studies have reported that ESG positively affects employee satisfaction, organizational efficiency, corporate trust and employee loyalty at a corporate level. However, studies discovering the mechanism in which ESG perception influences organizational performance are relatively scarce. Studies on how organizational traits (positive organizational support, leadership, employee empathy, etc.) play a role regarding ESG’s effect on organizational performance are particularly lacking. This topic welcomes papers that explore a variety of antecedents and consequences of ESG management from an interdisciplinary perspective, involving disciplines such as consumer psychology, organizational behavior, behavioral economy, business ethics, etc.

Dr. Sung Joon Yoon
Dr. Eun-mi Lee
Topic Editors

Keywords

  • ESG
  • organizational performance
  • consumer values
  • consumer citizenship
  • organizational traits
  • corporate trust
  • employee loyalty
  • business ethics

Participating Journals

Journal Name Impact Factor CiteScore Launched Year First Decision (median) APC
Administrative Sciences
admsci
3.0 4.8 2011 29.1 Days CHF 1400
Behavioral Sciences
behavsci
2.5 2.6 2011 28.7 Days CHF 2200
Economies
economies
2.1 4.0 2013 21.9 Days CHF 1800
Social Sciences
socsci
1.7 2.6 2012 34.2 Days CHF 1800
Sustainability
sustainability
3.3 6.8 2009 19.7 Days CHF 2400

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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21 pages, 1321 KiB  
Article
Solid Waste Governance Action and Corporate ESG Performance: Evidence from China’s “Zero-Waste City” Pilot Policy
by Xiong Zheng, Lingling Li, Zhanjie Wang and Mengni Cao
Sustainability 2025, 17(8), 3625; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17083625 - 17 Apr 2025
Viewed by 228
Abstract
Solid waste governance actions are important to achieve sustainable urban development. This study uses the “zero-waste city” pilot policy as a natural experiment to evaluate the impact of solid waste governance actions on corporate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance. The research shows [...] Read more.
Solid waste governance actions are important to achieve sustainable urban development. This study uses the “zero-waste city” pilot policy as a natural experiment to evaluate the impact of solid waste governance actions on corporate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance. The research shows that solid waste governance actions improve corporate ESG performance by enhancing government environmental concerns, public environmental concerns, and corporate green innovation. The analysis of spillover effects indicates that solid waste governance exerts positive spatial spillover effects. Heterogeneity tests reveal that the positive effect of solid waste governance actions on corporate ESG performance is more pronounced in enterprises characterized by higher-quality information disclosure and stronger internal governance, industries with greater solid waste output and more advanced technology, regions with a closer government–market relationship, and in central–eastern regions. These findings contribute to understanding the micro-level effects of solid waste governance actions and the determinants of corporate ESG performance, providing valuable insights for other developing countries to govern solid waste and improve corporate ESG performance. Full article
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21 pages, 915 KiB  
Article
Green Behaviors Among Employees in Chinese E-Commerce Companies: Impact of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Performance
by Ruoyan Wang and Yanli Hu
Sustainability 2025, 17(3), 940; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17030940 - 24 Jan 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1133
Abstract
Perceived ESG performance refers to stakeholders’ assessment of a company’s efficacy in implementing and maintaining ESG initiatives. This perception is crucial as it influences stakeholders’ trust and engagement with the company. The present study aims to test the relationships between the perceived performance [...] Read more.
Perceived ESG performance refers to stakeholders’ assessment of a company’s efficacy in implementing and maintaining ESG initiatives. This perception is crucial as it influences stakeholders’ trust and engagement with the company. The present study aims to test the relationships between the perceived performance of Chinese e-commerce firms and their employees’ green behaviors, with the mediating role of green psychological climate and the moderating role of ESG actions: substantive vs. symbolic. Employees’ green behavior is defined as any measurable individual behavior that contributes to environmental sustainability goals in the work context. Green psychological climate is defined as employees’ perceptions and interpretations of their organization’s policies, procedures, and practices regarding environmental sustainability. The sample includes 1285 employees from various Chinese e-commerce firms. Participants ranged in age from 19 to 66 years, with a mean age of 37.27 years (SD = 10.35). This study examines the impact of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance on green behaviors among employees in Chinese e-commerce companies. Leveraging data from organizational surveys, the findings reveal that perceived ESG performance significantly influences green behaviors, both directly and indirectly, through the mediating role of green psychological climate. Mediation analysis underscores the pivotal role of green psychological climate in bridging ESG performance and individual green behaviors, with the strength of this relationship varying significantly across levels of substantive ESG actions. Furthermore, while the moderating effects of ESG substantive and symbolic actions on the relationships between ESG performance, green psychological climate, and green behaviors did not achieve conventional statistical significance, observed trends suggest a nuanced interplay worthy of further exploration. These findings highlight the complexity of translating organizational ESG commitments into employee actions, emphasizing the importance of both substantive and symbolic ESG initiatives in fostering a green psychological climate. This study contributes novel insights into the mechanisms driving green behaviors in organizational contexts, offering implications for both academic research and managerial practice. Full article
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21 pages, 322 KiB  
Article
State-Owned Equity Participation and Corporations’ ESG Performance in China: The Mediating Role of Top Management Incentives
by Ting Qian and Caoyuan Yang
Sustainability 2023, 15(15), 11507; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151511507 - 25 Jul 2023
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 4241
Abstract
This study examined the unique circumstances surrounding state-owned equity participation in enterprises in China. Specifically, this study examined the impact of state-owned equity participation on the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance of enterprises. Focusing on A-share listed firms on the Shanghai and [...] Read more.
This study examined the unique circumstances surrounding state-owned equity participation in enterprises in China. Specifically, this study examined the impact of state-owned equity participation on the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance of enterprises. Focusing on A-share listed firms on the Shanghai and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges, and using data from 2013 to 2021, the results of our empirical testing showed that state-owned equity participation could significantly improve the ESG performance of enterprises, with this conclusion remaining reliable after a series of robustness tests. Top management incentives were a mediating mechanism for state-owned equity participation in enhancing ESG performance. This study also found that when state-owned equity participated in large enterprises, or companies with a high degree of digital transformation, the effect on the ESG performance was greater than in small or medium-sized enterprises, or enterprises with a low level of digital transformation. The findings of this study add to the current body of research on the factors influencing corporate ESG performance, and the impact of state-owned equity on corporate non-financial performance. Full article
16 pages, 566 KiB  
Article
How Does Corporate ESG Performance Affect Financial Irregularities?
by Dingru Liu and Shanyue Jin
Sustainability 2023, 15(13), 9999; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15139999 - 24 Jun 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3999
Abstract
As a violation of moral integrity, corporate financial irregularities not only cause losses to investors and other stakeholders, but the enterprise itself is also punished by the relevant regulatory authorities. However, to realize their own interests, some enterprises still violate laws and participate [...] Read more.
As a violation of moral integrity, corporate financial irregularities not only cause losses to investors and other stakeholders, but the enterprise itself is also punished by the relevant regulatory authorities. However, to realize their own interests, some enterprises still violate laws and participate in financial irregularities. Good environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance can reduce corporate risks, improve financial status, and constrain financial irregularities. This study empirically clarifies the impact of ESG performance on financial irregularities in Chinese listed companies. Furthermore, we examine the moderating role of stakeholder attention—that is, the public, media, and institutional investors. Based on 1050 observations of non-financial and non-real estate companies listed on the Shanghai and Shenzhen Stock exchanges from 2011 to 2020, this study examines the impact of ESG performance on financial irregularities using a fixed-effects model. Additionally, we verify the moderating effect of public, media, and institutional investor attention to the impact of ESG on financial irregularities. The results indicate that firms with better ESG performance have fewer financial irregularities. At the same time, the greater the attention of the public, media, and investors, the stronger the inhibitory effect of ESG performance on financial irregularities. This study helps broaden the relevant corporate social responsibility (CSR) and financial management theories and provides theoretical support for enterprises to improve ESG performance and inhibit financial irregularities. Full article
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