Big data development and enterprise ESG performance: Empirical evidence from China

The development of big data has transformed the traditional production and governance models of enterprises while becoming a crucial engine for upgrading and achieving high-quality development. From the perspective of institutional and market conditions we construct a Big Data Development Index to investigate the mechanism of big data development on enterprise environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance. Our empirical and theoretical research finds that big data development has a significant and positive impact on enterprise ESG which enhances enterprise ESG performance. The underlying mechanism suggests that the mediating effects of green innovation and information disclosure are significant, as big data development improves enterprise ESG performance by promoting green innovation and enhancing the quality of information disclosure. Further, heterogeneous effects indicate the promoting effect of big data development on ESG performance of state-owned enterprises and large enterprises is more pronounced.