Beyond ESG and Innovation: Construct Development and Validation of Sustainability Innovative Value Maximization (SIVM)
Background: SIVM is conceptualized as a firm’s ability to transform sustainability pressures into value creation. Despite the exponential growth of ESG adoption globally, with over 90% of S&P 500 companies publishing sustainability reports, empirical evidence on the ESG–performance nexus remains inconclusive, signaling the need for a capability-based construct that bridges this theoretical gap. Objective: This study addresses inconsistent findings regarding the relationship between Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) disclosure and corporate performance by introducing Sustainability Innovative Value Maximization (SIVM) as a novel strategic capability. Methods: This research employs a construct development approach using Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) on data from 187 respondents drawn from firms operating in industries with high ESG exposure in Indonesia (mining, palm oil, and tobacco). Data were collected between January and May 2025 through purposive sampling. Results: The results confirm that SIVM is a valid, reliable, and multidimensional construct that is distinct from ESG disclosure and Sustainability-Oriented Innovation (SOI). Structural model analysis reveals that ESG significantly influences SIVM, which, in turn, has a strong positive effect on corporate performance, both directly and indirectly through Corporate Political Activity (CPA). Meanwhile, SOI does not significantly affect performance, indicating the limitations of innovation-centric explanations. Conclusion: This study contributes to the literature by positioning SIVM as a critical internal capability that bridges sustainability pressures and value creation, thereby extending stakeholder and agency perspectives. Practically, the findings suggest that firms should move beyond disclosure and focus on developing capabilities for converting sustainability pressures into value.