The impact mechanism of geopolitical risks on ESG performance: The moderating effects of investor attention and government subsidies.

The impact of geopolitical risks (GPR) on enterprises is significant, yet the existing literature lacks a comprehensive understanding of how GPR affects environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance. This study addresses this gap by analysing data from Chinese enterprises over the period 2...

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Main Authors: Pengfei Cheng, Mengzhen Wang, Kanyong Li, Baekryul Choi, Wenliang Chen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2025-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0311659
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author Pengfei Cheng
Mengzhen Wang
Kanyong Li
Baekryul Choi
Wenliang Chen
author_facet Pengfei Cheng
Mengzhen Wang
Kanyong Li
Baekryul Choi
Wenliang Chen
author_sort Pengfei Cheng
collection DOAJ
description The impact of geopolitical risks (GPR) on enterprises is significant, yet the existing literature lacks a comprehensive understanding of how GPR affects environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance. This study addresses this gap by analysing data from Chinese enterprises over the period 2009 to 2021. It empirically examines the impact of GPR on ESG performance and explores the underlying mechanisms. Specifically, the analysis considers the roles of investor attention and government subsidies as moderating factors. The results indicate that GPR inhibits corporate ESG performance. State-owned enterprises are found to mitigate these adverse effects, while privately-owned enterprises tend to exacerbate them. Mechanism tests reveal that GPR negatively impacts ESG performance by increasing financing constraints and reducing financial performance. Furthermore, increased investor attention and government subsidies can alleviate the negative effects of GPR on ESG performance. These findings offer valuable insights for organisations, governments, and stakeholders, enabling them to better respond to GPR and achieve sustainable development.
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publisher Public Library of Science (PLoS)
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spelling doaj-art-91638a311dab4d069a2ed49faa5dec242025-02-05T05:31:16ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032025-01-01201e031165910.1371/journal.pone.0311659The impact mechanism of geopolitical risks on ESG performance: The moderating effects of investor attention and government subsidies.Pengfei ChengMengzhen WangKanyong LiBaekryul ChoiWenliang ChenThe impact of geopolitical risks (GPR) on enterprises is significant, yet the existing literature lacks a comprehensive understanding of how GPR affects environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance. This study addresses this gap by analysing data from Chinese enterprises over the period 2009 to 2021. It empirically examines the impact of GPR on ESG performance and explores the underlying mechanisms. Specifically, the analysis considers the roles of investor attention and government subsidies as moderating factors. The results indicate that GPR inhibits corporate ESG performance. State-owned enterprises are found to mitigate these adverse effects, while privately-owned enterprises tend to exacerbate them. Mechanism tests reveal that GPR negatively impacts ESG performance by increasing financing constraints and reducing financial performance. Furthermore, increased investor attention and government subsidies can alleviate the negative effects of GPR on ESG performance. These findings offer valuable insights for organisations, governments, and stakeholders, enabling them to better respond to GPR and achieve sustainable development.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0311659
spellingShingle Pengfei Cheng
Mengzhen Wang
Kanyong Li
Baekryul Choi
Wenliang Chen
The impact mechanism of geopolitical risks on ESG performance: The moderating effects of investor attention and government subsidies.
PLoS ONE
title The impact mechanism of geopolitical risks on ESG performance: The moderating effects of investor attention and government subsidies.
title_full The impact mechanism of geopolitical risks on ESG performance: The moderating effects of investor attention and government subsidies.
title_fullStr The impact mechanism of geopolitical risks on ESG performance: The moderating effects of investor attention and government subsidies.
title_full_unstemmed The impact mechanism of geopolitical risks on ESG performance: The moderating effects of investor attention and government subsidies.
title_short The impact mechanism of geopolitical risks on ESG performance: The moderating effects of investor attention and government subsidies.
title_sort impact mechanism of geopolitical risks on esg performance the moderating effects of investor attention and government subsidies
url https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0311659
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