The Effect of Green Innovation on Corporate ESG Performance: Evidence from Chinese Listed Enterprises

Purpose - This study was aimed to investigate whether the outcomes of green innovation brought positive effects to Chinese firms’ ESG performance. Design/methodology/approach - Green innovation patents and ESG performance data of Chinese listed firms were empirically analyzed using panel data fix-effect linear estimations. Findings - The study found that green innovation performance enhanced Chinese firms’ ESG performance. Also, the results showed that corporate social responsibility decoupling weakened this relationship and state ownership positively moderated this relationship, whereas corporate philanthropic giving did not have significant impact. Research implications or Originality - The findings indicated that green innovation was beneficial to enhancing corporate sustainability performance. In addition, the study highlighted the role of CSR communications and state ownership in interacting the positive effect that green innovation performance brings to corporate ESG performance.