Mechanisms of investor attention in enhancing ESG performance: evidence from Chinese listed companies

In the context of China’s “Dual Carbon” goals and regulatory requirements, listed companies in China are actively engaging in ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) practices, and the improvement of ESG performance has become a hot topic in the academic community. This study aims to clarify the...

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Main Authors: DanLu, Lu, Tiantian, Meng, Yeng, Wai Lau, Tze, San Ong
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Discover 2025
Online Access:http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/120150/
http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/120150/1/120150.pdf
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author DanLu, Lu
Tiantian, Meng
Yeng, Wai Lau
Tze, San Ong
author_facet DanLu, Lu
Tiantian, Meng
Yeng, Wai Lau
Tze, San Ong
author_sort DanLu, Lu
building UPM Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description In the context of China’s “Dual Carbon” goals and regulatory requirements, listed companies in China are actively engaging in ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) practices, and the improvement of ESG performance has become a hot topic in the academic community. This study aims to clarify the impact of investor attention on the ESG performance of listed companies in China and its mechanism of action, depicting a more comprehensive analytical framework compared to existing similar studies. The results show that there is a significant positive correlation between external investor attention and company ESG ratings. Investor attention can positively affect a company’s ESG performance by alleviating financial constraints, increasing R&D spending, and strengthening customer relationships, among other ways. In addition, factors such as the company’s ownership structure, digitalization process, separation of the chairman and CEO positions, and audit quality also play a moderating role in this relationship. Finally, this study provides profound policy recommendations for stakeholders such as investors, companies, and policymakers, aiming to promote companies to effectively enhance ESG performance and promote sustainable development.
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spelling upm-1201502025-09-24T02:06:18Z http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/120150/ Mechanisms of investor attention in enhancing ESG performance: evidence from Chinese listed companies DanLu, Lu Tiantian, Meng Yeng, Wai Lau Tze, San Ong In the context of China’s “Dual Carbon” goals and regulatory requirements, listed companies in China are actively engaging in ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) practices, and the improvement of ESG performance has become a hot topic in the academic community. This study aims to clarify the impact of investor attention on the ESG performance of listed companies in China and its mechanism of action, depicting a more comprehensive analytical framework compared to existing similar studies. The results show that there is a significant positive correlation between external investor attention and company ESG ratings. Investor attention can positively affect a company’s ESG performance by alleviating financial constraints, increasing R&D spending, and strengthening customer relationships, among other ways. In addition, factors such as the company’s ownership structure, digitalization process, separation of the chairman and CEO positions, and audit quality also play a moderating role in this relationship. Finally, this study provides profound policy recommendations for stakeholders such as investors, companies, and policymakers, aiming to promote companies to effectively enhance ESG performance and promote sustainable development. Discover 2025 Article PeerReviewed text en http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/120150/1/120150.pdf DanLu, Lu and Tiantian, Meng and Yeng, Wai Lau and Tze, San Ong (2025) Mechanisms of investor attention in enhancing ESG performance: evidence from Chinese listed companies. Discover Global Society, 3 (1). art. no. 66. pp. 1-28. ISSN 2731-9687 https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s44282-025-00218-0?error=cookies_not_supported&code=e5d6f38b-2b3f-4ed9-9400-a5dbf9c66461 10.1007/s44282-025-00218-0
spellingShingle DanLu, Lu
Tiantian, Meng
Yeng, Wai Lau
Tze, San Ong
Mechanisms of investor attention in enhancing ESG performance: evidence from Chinese listed companies
title Mechanisms of investor attention in enhancing ESG performance: evidence from Chinese listed companies
title_full Mechanisms of investor attention in enhancing ESG performance: evidence from Chinese listed companies
title_fullStr Mechanisms of investor attention in enhancing ESG performance: evidence from Chinese listed companies
title_full_unstemmed Mechanisms of investor attention in enhancing ESG performance: evidence from Chinese listed companies
title_short Mechanisms of investor attention in enhancing ESG performance: evidence from Chinese listed companies
title_sort mechanisms of investor attention in enhancing esg performance: evidence from chinese listed companies
url http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/120150/
http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/120150/
http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/120150/
http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/120150/1/120150.pdf