The Synergistic Effects of Digital Technology Application and ESG Performance on Corporate Performance

Abstract

We examine the effect of enterprise digital technology applications and ESG performance on enterprise performance. By using textual analysis on hand-collecting data from the annual reports of Chinese Shanghai and Shenzhen A-share listed firms, we portray the extent of digital technology application of enterprise and further find that digital technology application and ESG performance have a significant positive effect on corporate performance, respectively. Besides that, we find that they have a significant synergistic effect on corporate performance, and this effect is particularly significant among firms with higher levels of governance and firms located in eastern China. Therefore, we provide solid theoretical support and insights for promoting the "digitalization and greening synergistic development" strategy for emerging market countries.