Improving corporate profitability from the inside out with environmental performance: an empirical analysis based on Chinese listed company data

This study uses data from listed companies in China from 2008 to 2021, constructs a comprehensive evaluation of corporate environmental performance from the perspective of internal efficiency and externalities based on the text analysis method, and analyzes the impact and mechanism of environmental...

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Main Authors: Jing Hu, Yanyun Zhao
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2024-11-01
Series:Frontiers in Environmental Science
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2024.1489896/full
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author Jing Hu
Yanyun Zhao
author_facet Jing Hu
Yanyun Zhao
author_sort Jing Hu
collection DOAJ
description This study uses data from listed companies in China from 2008 to 2021, constructs a comprehensive evaluation of corporate environmental performance from the perspective of internal efficiency and externalities based on the text analysis method, and analyzes the impact and mechanism of environmental performance on profitability. In addition, we find that improving environmental performance can significantly increase profitability, especially if the company tackles pollution at the source. Furthermore, the impact of environmental performance on profitability tends to be driven by external markets. Obtaining environmental certifications, awards, and green patents can provide positive feedback and significantly increase profitability. In addition, the mechanism analysis shows that environmental performance affects firm profitability by improving green technology innovation, reducing financing constraints and increasing operating income. Finally, the results of the heterogeneity analysis show that the profitability-enhancing effect of environmental performance is stronger in non-state-owned firms, in clean industries firms and in regions with carbon emission trading.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2296-665X
language English
publishDate 2024-11-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
record_format Article
series Frontiers in Environmental Science
spelling doaj-art-90d3613738d34d2982a1d8a373e8b8b92024-11-15T06:13:24ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Environmental Science2296-665X2024-11-011210.3389/fenvs.2024.14898961489896Improving corporate profitability from the inside out with environmental performance: an empirical analysis based on Chinese listed company dataJing HuYanyun ZhaoThis study uses data from listed companies in China from 2008 to 2021, constructs a comprehensive evaluation of corporate environmental performance from the perspective of internal efficiency and externalities based on the text analysis method, and analyzes the impact and mechanism of environmental performance on profitability. In addition, we find that improving environmental performance can significantly increase profitability, especially if the company tackles pollution at the source. Furthermore, the impact of environmental performance on profitability tends to be driven by external markets. Obtaining environmental certifications, awards, and green patents can provide positive feedback and significantly increase profitability. In addition, the mechanism analysis shows that environmental performance affects firm profitability by improving green technology innovation, reducing financing constraints and increasing operating income. Finally, the results of the heterogeneity analysis show that the profitability-enhancing effect of environmental performance is stronger in non-state-owned firms, in clean industries firms and in regions with carbon emission trading.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2024.1489896/fullenvironmental performanceprofitabilitygreen technology innovationfinancing constraintstext analysis
spellingShingle Jing Hu
Yanyun Zhao
Improving corporate profitability from the inside out with environmental performance: an empirical analysis based on Chinese listed company data
Frontiers in Environmental Science
environmental performance
profitability
green technology innovation
financing constraints
text analysis
title Improving corporate profitability from the inside out with environmental performance: an empirical analysis based on Chinese listed company data
title_full Improving corporate profitability from the inside out with environmental performance: an empirical analysis based on Chinese listed company data
title_fullStr Improving corporate profitability from the inside out with environmental performance: an empirical analysis based on Chinese listed company data
title_full_unstemmed Improving corporate profitability from the inside out with environmental performance: an empirical analysis based on Chinese listed company data
title_short Improving corporate profitability from the inside out with environmental performance: an empirical analysis based on Chinese listed company data
title_sort improving corporate profitability from the inside out with environmental performance an empirical analysis based on chinese listed company data
topic environmental performance
profitability
green technology innovation
financing constraints
text analysis
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2024.1489896/full
work_keys_str_mv AT jinghu improvingcorporateprofitabilityfromtheinsideoutwithenvironmentalperformanceanempiricalanalysisbasedonchineselistedcompanydata
AT yanyunzhao improvingcorporateprofitabilityfromtheinsideoutwithenvironmentalperformanceanempiricalanalysisbasedonchineselistedcompanydata