기업의 ESG 활동이 이익조정에 미치는 영향

Abstract

[Purpose]This study emphasizes the importance of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) management, proposing that it provides incentives for companies to achieve transparent and sustainable management. The study aims to analyze the impact of ESG management on corporate earnings management, particularly focusing on the effect of one financial characteristic, the Return on Sales (ROS), and how ESG influences this relationship. [Methodology]The study utilizes ESG rating data publicly disclosed by the Korea ESG Standards Authority from 2015 to 2022, focusing on manufacturing companies with available ESG ratings. The discretionary accruals were measured using the Jones model as the earnings management variable, and ROS was used to reflect financial characteristics. [Findings]The study found that ESG management tends to reduce corporate earnings management activities. Moreover, while companies with higher ROS were found to engage in more earnings management, the interaction between ROS and ESG management, particularly in terms of ESG integration, environmental (S), and governance (G) components, showed a negative relationship with earnings management. This suggests that ESG management contributes to reducing earnings management. [Implications]The study suggests that ESG management plays a crucial role in enhancing financial transparency and ethical standards in corporations. It was observed that companies with higher total sales profitability, when implementing ESG management, tend to show a decrease in earnings management activities. This indicates that ESG management can be a vital tool for enhancing financial soundness and transparency.