Skip to content
Conference Open access

THE EFFECT OF ESG DISCLOSURE ON FIRM VALUE: A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW

Aug 2026 · The International Conference on Sustainable Economics Management and Accounting Proceeding · 0 citations · 26 references

Abstract

This systematic literature review critically examines the theoretical frameworks and empirical evidence linking Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors to corporate value by analyzing 20 articles that underwent title and abstract screening, followed by a narrative synthesis using thematic analysis. studies published between 2021 and 2025. Using a PRISMA-based methodology, this review identifies patterns of positive impacts, variations in results, and mediating and moderating factors affecting firm value. The synthesis results indicate that ESG disclosure tends to have a positive impact on firm value, as measured by Tobin’s Q, the market-to-book ratio, or market capitalization. This increase occurs primarily through reduced information asymmetry, enhanced reputation, and lower capital costs. Positive effects are more consistently observed in firms in emerging markets and within the governance dimension. Some studies have found a negative or insignificant relationship, particularly in the short term or in developed markets. Factors that strengthen this relationship include company size, sales growth, and competitive advantage. Meanwhile, mediators such as profitability and organizational visibility also play a role. High-quality ESG disclosures support long-term value creation when integrated with business strategy in a balanced manner. These findings provide a basis for companies to enhance the transparency of their ESG reporting to strengthen corporate value.

Read PDF

Similar papers

Review Open access Aug 2026

The Effect of Environmental, Social, And Governance (ESG) Disclosure on Corporate Value: A Systematic Literature Review

Over the past few years, the need for disclosing non-financial information has increased significantly, particularly regarding Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) aspects, as investors increasingly seek transparency in corporate practices beyond conventional financial reporting. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between ESG principles and corporate value, with an emphasis on how effective ESG implementation can enhance long-term value creation and sustainability. The research employed a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) approach, which involved identifying, evaluating, and synthesizing relevant evidence related to the research topic. A total of 30 selected articles were synthesized from an initial screening of 92 eligible articles based on predefined inclusion criteria. The findings, presented through a classification matrix, revealed that the impact of ESG disclosure on corporate value remained inconsistent across studies. These variations were influenced by regional contexts—for example, positive governance effects were more evident in Indonesia, varied across studies in Thailand, and remained significant in China even after the COVID-19 pandemic—as well as industry characteristics and external economic conditions, such as financial crises and macroeconomic uncertainty. Although the findings differed, the impact of ESG disclosure that was weak or insignificant in isolation was often strengthened when moderated by factors such as competitive advantage, governance mechanisms, and financing constraints. This study concluded that ESG disclosure alone was not sufficient to drive corporate value; instead, companies needed to integrate ESG practices with strategic advantages to achieve optimal outcomes. Future research is recommended to expand regional coverage and include broader industry sectors to generate more generalizable and comparable findings across different markets.Over the past few years, the need for disclosing non-financial information has increased significantly, particularly regarding Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) aspects, as investors increasingly seek transparency in corporate practices beyond conventional financial reporting. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between ESG principles and corporate value, with an emphasis on how effective ESG implementation can enhance long-term value creation and sustainability. The research employed a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) approach, which involved identifying, evaluating, and synthesizing relevant evidence related to the research topic. A total of 30 selected articles were synthesized from an initial screening of 92 eligible articles based on predefined inclusion criteria. The findings, presented through a classification matrix, revealed that the impact of ESG disclosure on corporate value remained inconsistent across studies. These variations were influenced by regional contexts—for example, positive governance effects were more evident in Indonesia, varied across studies in Thailand, and remained significant in China even after the COVID-19 pandemic—as well as industry characteristics and external economic conditions, such as financial crises and macroeconomic uncertainty. Although the findings differed, the impact of ESG disclosure that was weak or insignificant in isolation was often strengthened when moderated by factors such as competitive advantage, governance mechanisms, and financing constraints. This study concluded that ESG disclosure alone was not sufficient to drive corporate value; instead, companies needed to integrate ESG practices with strategic advantages to achieve optimal outcomes. Future research is recommended to expand regional coverage and include broader industry sectors to generate more generalizable and comparable findings across different markets.

Kevindra Adityananda Galih Prakasa, S. Hadi, Andik Wijayanto · 0 citations
Review Open access Jul 2026

Sustainable Finance and ESG: The Impact of Environmental, Social, and Governance Principles Implementation on Corporate Financial Performance and Firm Value

This study examines whether environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices enhance corporate profitability and firm value by reviewing empirical evidence from previous studies. Using a systematic literature review guided by a PRISMA approach, peer-reviewed articles published between 2010 and 2025 and indexed in Scopus and Web of Science were analyzed. The findings indicate that firms adopting ESG practices generally achieve stronger financial performance and higher market valuation, although the strength and direction of the relationship vary across contexts. Five key factors influence these outcomes: the credibility of ESG disclosure, the financial materiality of ESG issues within the industry, governance quality, environmental exposure, and the institutional maturity of the market. The review also highlights that inconsistencies among ESG rating agencies contribute to measurement differences, leading to mixed empirical findings. Drawing on stakeholder and legitimacy theories, the study suggests that effective ESG implementation reduces information asymmetry, lowers financing costs, strengthens corporate reputation, and increases investor confidence. An integrative framework is proposed to explain the relationship between ESG implementation and firm value while identifying future research opportunities, particularly in emerging economies such as Indonesia, where sustainable finance regulations continue to develop.

Agung Nugroho, Andini Nurwulandari, E. Hasanudin · 0 citations
Open access Aug 2026

Analysis of the Relationship Between ESG and Firm Value with the Moderating Role of Earnings Management

Background: Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) has become an increasingly important non-financial factor in assessing corporate sustainability and long-term performance. Objective: This research seeks to analyze the impact of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors on corporate value and to explore the role of earnings management as a moderating variable in the relationship between ESG and firm value. Methods: This research utilizes a quantitative methodology, drawing on panel data from consumer goods firms listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange for the period spanning 2022 to 2025. The sample comprises 31 companies, yielding 124 firm-year observations, which were selected through purposive sampling. Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance is assessed via a disclosure index aligned with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards, while firm value is represented by Tobin’s Q. Results: This finding indicates that investors and consumers in the consumer goods sector continue to place greater emphasis on financial performance, product quality, price, and brand reputation than on sustainability-related information. Furthermore, earnings management is not proven to moderate the relationship between ESG and firm value. This study contributes to the literature by highlighting that the effectiveness of ESG in enhancing firm value depends not only on disclosure practices but also on market characteristics, investor perceptions, consumer behavior, and the firm's ability to integrate sustainability initiatives into business strategies that generate tangible economic benefits. Conclusion: The findings provide implications for managers and regulators in improving the quality of ESG implementation and ensuring that sustainability practices contribute to long-term value creation.

Eka Anugerah Putra, Amrie Firmansyah · 0 citations
Review Open access Aug 2026

The Impact of ESG Information Disclosure on Corporate Value: A Literature Review

In recent decades, with the global trend of improving ESG regulatory rules and expanding mandatory disclosure for listed firms, the value effect of ESG information disclosure has remained controversial in academia. Accordingly, it is necessary to review relevant literature to sort conflicting findings and clarify the actual economic impact of ESG disclosure. Focusing on the relationship between ESG information disclosure and corporate value, this paper reviews empirical studies conducted across different countries and institutional contexts. The reviewed literature is categorized into three results: positive relationship, negative relationship, and insignificant relationship. Conflicting conclusions are caused by diverse measurement indicators, sample features, inconsistent rating criteria, and institutional gaps. Three major influencing channels, including information asymmetry relief, stakeholder collaboration, and innovation promotion, are summarized, and obvious heterogeneity exists in firm ownership, region, and pollution type. Empirically, this paper points out existing research defects and proposes specific suggestions for future detailed empirical and cross-country research.

Heng Lin · 1 citation
Conference Open access Aug 2026

THE IMPACT OF ESG RATING DIVERGENCE ON MARKET DYNAMICS AND CORPORATE PERFORMANCE: A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW

This study is motivated by the growing importance of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) in global investment decision-making and the increasing inconsistency among ESG rating agencies. This study aims to examine the impact of ESG rating divergence on market dynamics and corporate performance while identifying the key factors underlying such discrepancies. This study employs a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) method using the PRISMA framework to ensure transparency and reproducibility in the study selection process. Data were collected from major academic databases and analyzed qualitatively to identify patterns, trends, and inconsistencies across empirical findings. The findings indicate that ESG rating divergence increases information asymmetry, leading to higher stock price volatility and reduced market liquidity. Furthermore, divergence weakens investor confidence and diminishes the reliability of ESG signals in explaining corporate financial performance. The impact on corporate outcomes is reflected in increased financing constraints, which reduce firm productivity and value, although divergence may generate a risk premium under certain conditions. This study concludes that ESG rating divergence has significant implications for market efficiency and corporate performance, highlighting the need for improved transparency and standardization in ESG assessment practices.

A. Gau, Rio Dhani Laksana · 0 citations
Open access Jul 2026

ESG Disclosure and Firm Value: The Moderating Role of Competitive Advantage

Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) disclosure has been increasingly recognized as a significant determinant of firm value; however, its effectiveness is believed to be influenced by the firm's internal conditions, particularly its competitive advantage. This study aims to examine the effect of ESG disclosure on firm value and to investigate the moderating role of competitive advantage in this relationship. The research sample comprises companies listed on the ESG Quality 45 KEHATI Index of the Indonesia Stock Exchange over the period 2021–2024. Moderated regression analysis was employed using EViews software. The results indicate that ESG disclosure positively affects firm value, suggesting that sustainability transparency enhances stakeholder trust and drives higher market valuations. Furthermore, competitive advantage is found to significantly strengthen the positive effect of environmental, ESG disclosure on firm value, indicating that firms with stronger competitive positions are better able to leverage their sustainability disclosure in creating value for stakeholders. These findings enrich the application of stakeholder theory by establishing that competitive advantage serves as a critical boundary condition that determines the effectiveness of environmental, social, and governance disclosure in enhancing firm value.

Rania Muadah, Abdul Rohman · 0 citations