Green Governance: How ESG Initiatives Drive Financial Performance in UK Firms?

Ahmed Saber Moussa, Mahmoud Elmarzouky*, Doaa Shohaieb

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

In this research endeavor, we investigate the potential influence exerted by ESG performance on the market capitalization of non-financial corporations included within the UK FTSE All-Share Index during the eleven-year period spanning 2010 to 2021. Integrating insights from Resource-Based View and Stakeholder Theory, this research extends the literature by considering the moderating effect of governance on the ESG–market capitalization association. This study analyzes a comprehensive dataset of UK firms, employing robust econometric techniques to substantiate its conclusions. The results demonstrate a robust positive association between the overall ESG pillars and market capitalization. Environmental, social, and governance performances independently contribute to an increased market value. The analysis reveals that firms with superior internal governance structures, characterized by the presence of independent board members, board size, an independent audit committee, and the implementation of a split CEO–chair structure, experience a magnified positive impact from ESG disclosures on market capitalization. Effective governance mechanisms enhance the credibility and effectiveness of ESG initiatives, aligning them with stakeholder expectations and regulatory standards. This alignment fosters trust and cooperation, driving better financial performance and increasing market value. This research adds its voice to the increasingly compelling body of evidence that underscores the financial advantages associated with ESG integration and highlights the critical role of internal governance in amplifying these benefits. The findings have significant implications for policymakers, investors, and corporate managers. They advocate for the strategic incorporation of ESG criteria into corporate governance frameworks to achieve sustainable financial success.
Original languageEnglish
Article number10894
Number of pages25
JournalSustainability
Volume16
Issue number24
Early online date12 Dec 2024
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2024

Bibliographical note

Copyright © 2024 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

Data Access Statement

The data presented in this study are available on request from the
corresponding author. The article makes use of existing (secondary) data

Keywords

  • ESG
  • market capitalization
  • financial performance
  • internal governance
  • resource-based view
  • stakeholder theory
  • sustainability

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