Digital-Intelligent Transformation and Corporate ESG Performance: The Mediating Roles of Internal Control Quality and Financing Constraints
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54097/zg854x20Keywords:
Digital-intelligent transformation; Corporate ESG performance; Internal control quality; Financing constraints; Sustainable development; Corporate governance.Abstract
With the rapid development of digital technologies, digital-intelligent transformation has become an important pathway for firms to achieve sustainable development. This study investigates the impact of digital-intelligent transformation on corporate ESG performance and further examines the underlying mechanisms through which this relationship operates. Using panel data from Chinese A-share listed companies during 2010–2023, this study constructs a two-way fixed effects model to empirically examine the relationship between digital-intelligent transformation and corporate ESG performance. The findings demonstrate that digital-intelligent transformation significantly improves corporate ESG performance, indicating that digital technologies can effectively promote firms’ sustainable development. Mechanism analyses reveal that internal control quality and financing constraints serve as important transmission channels: digital-intelligent transformation enhances ESG performance by strengthening internal governance capabilities and alleviating financing constraints. Further robustness tests, including alternative measurements of key variables and different sample specifications, confirm the reliability of the results. Additional heterogeneity analyses indicate that the positive effect of digital-intelligent transformation on ESG performance varies across ownership structures and industry characteristics. This study contributes to the literature on digital transformation and corporate sustainability by revealing the governance and resource allocation mechanisms through which digital technologies facilitate ESG improvement. The findings provide practical implications for firms and policymakers seeking to promote sustainable development through digital innovation.
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