The impact of performance feedback on corporate ESG performance: Mediating role of environmental strategy

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of performance feedback (performance expectation surplus, performance expectation deficit) on corporate ESG performance, and this paper also to investigate the role of environmental strategy as a mechanism in the impact of enterprises’ performance feedback on corporate ESG performance. Design/Methodology/Approach The study used data from 3679 companies listed on the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges for the period 2009–2021 and also measured the intensity of corporate environmental strategies through analysis. Finally, we used a fixed effects model to test the research hypothesis. Findings This study shows that enterprise performance feedback positively affects corporate ESG performance and that environmental strategy plays a significant mechanistic role in enterprise performance feedback and corporate ESG performance. Overall, performance expectation surplus negatively affects ESG performance, performance expectation deficit positively affects ESG performance, and the mechanism of environmental strategy plays a significant role in performance expectation deficit and ESG performance. Practical implications The results of this study can help enterprises establish a scientific environmental management system, strengthen the supervision of enterprise environmental management, and have certain reference significance for enterprises to speed up the implementation of environmental protection measures. Originality/Value This study adds to the literature by describing corporate ESG performance using performance feedback theory and explaining the inherent role of enterprise performance feedback in corporate ESG performance utilizing environmental strategies.