A Strategic Path for Chinese Enterprises to Achieve High-Quality Development within the ESG Framework Driven by Digital Technology

Abstract

The digital era requires enterprises to pay attention to technological innovation and optimise ESG performance in the development process, so as to achieve high-quality development. Based on this, this paper proposes the hypotheses related to enterprise ESG, technological innovation and enterprise high-quality development. And construct the regression model of enterprise ESG performance and high-quality development. Basic statistics and correlation analysis are used to provide a preliminary description of enterprise ESG performance and high-quality development. Through the total effect test, the role of enterprise ESG performance on high-quality development is clarified. Through the mediation effect test, the role played by technological innovation between corporate ESG and high-quality development is clarified, and the proposed hypotheses are verified, and the property rights, geographic and industry differences in the impact of corporate ESG performance on high-quality development are further explored by using robustness test and heterogeneity analysis. Finally, corresponding recommendations are made. Most of the enterprises selected in this paper have low levels of high-quality development, unsatisfactory ESG performance, and large overall gaps in technological innovation.The correlation coefficients of ESG performance (ESG) with corporate high-quality development (LnTFP) and technological innovation are 0.402 and 0.335, respectively, and all of them are significantly and positively correlated at the 1 per cent level. Hypotheses H1, H2, and H3 are all valid.ESG performance and technological innovation have more significant effects on the high-quality development of state-owned enterprises, eastern regions, and high-pollution enterprises.

Keywords: esg performance; regression model; mediation effect; heterogeneity analysis