The Moderating Role of Country Governance in the Link between ESG and Financial Performance: A Study of Listed Companies in 58 Countries

Abstract

Corporate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance is expected to positively affect financial performance because it helps firms gain sociopolitical legitimacy from receiving positive stakeholder awareness and gaining key resources. However, the research on the relationship between corporate ESG performance and financial performance has yielded mixed results. This paper explores the impact of the country governance environment on the ESG–financial performance link. We propose that the positive ESG–financial performance relationship is stronger for firms in countries with better governance. Empirical analyses using a large panel dataset covering 11 years and 58 countries support our arguments. We found that countries with more effective governance in political stability, regulatory quality, and control of corruption strengthen the positive ESG–financial performance relationship. The implications of our findings are significant for firms that face different governance environments and develop sustainable business strategies.