The effect of environmental management and financial constraints on performance of the listed companies in China

Main Article Content

Liu Yihong
Anchalee Chaisri
Samroeng Kaiyawong

Abstract

         This research article aimed to (1) examine the impact of environmental management on the financial performance of publicly listed companies in the People's Republic of China, and (2) investigate the role of financial constraints in moderating the relationship between environmental management and financial performance. The population included 17,884 publicly listed companies in China. Data collection employed a data recording form that categorized information into general company data, environmental management, and financial performance. Descriptive statistics, including means, percentages, and standard deviations, were employed for data analysis, alongside hypothesis testing using Stepwise Multiple Regression.


         The results show that environmental management (Environment Performance) had a positive effect on the rate of return on assets with statistical significance at the .05 level. Financial constraints had a negative effect on the return on assets with statistical significance at the .05 level. In addition, the interaction between financial constraints and environmental management It had a negative effect on the rate of return on assets with statistical significance at the .05 level. The results of this research suggest that financial constraints hinder the ability of environmental management to fully improve financial performance.

Article Details

How to Cite
Yihong, L. ., Chaisri, A. ., & Kaiyawong, S. . (2025). The effect of environmental management and financial constraints on performance of the listed companies in China. Journal of Setthawit Review, 5(2), 981–995. retrieved from https://so12.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/stw/article/view/2197
Section
Research Article

References

Anklesaria-Dalal, K., & Thaker, N. (2019). ESG and corporate financial performance: A panel study of Indian companies. The IUP Journal of Corporate Governance. 18(1), 44–59.

Chen, F., & Zhang, H. (2022). Financial constraints and corporate environmental responsibility: Evidence from emerging markets. Journal of Business Ethics. 179(3), 455-470.

Chen, Y., et al. (2023). Emergency response mechanisms and corporate performance: A sustainability perspective. Sustainability. 15(1), 12-29.

China Stock Market & Accounting Research (2024). China Stock Market & Accounting Research. China Economic and Financial Database. Retrieved March 18, 2025 from https://data.csmar.com.

Clyde & Co. (2024). ESG disclosure requirements in China: Impact on listed companies. Clyde & Co LLP.

Dong, J., et al. (2023). Corporate environmental responsibility and financial performance: Evidence from China's heavy industry sector. Journal of Business Ethics. 180, 275-298.

Field, A. (2013). Discovering statistics using IBM SPSS statistics (4th ed.). London: SAGE Publications.

Hahn, R., et al. (2023). Environmental performance and firm value: The role of regulatory pressure. Business Strategy and the Environment, 32(4), 1235-1250.

Heras-Saizarbitoria, I., et al. (2020). ISO 14001 certification and financial performance: A meta-analysis. Environmental Science and Policy. 109, 94-104.

Huang, S., et al. (2023). Green investment under financial constraints: Challenges and opportunities. Sustainability. 15(2), 718-732.

Hunsley, J., & Meyer, G. J. (2003). The incremental validity of psychological testing and assessment: Conceptual, methodological, and statistical issues. Psychological Assessment. 15(4), 446–455.

Kim, D., & Li, O. (2021). The role of corporate social responsibility in firm performance: Evidence from the airline industry. Journal of Air Transport Management. 91, 102000.

Kumar, S., & Shekhar, R. (2021). Environmental management and sustainable development: Strategies and practices. Springer.

Kutner, M. H., et al. (2005). Applied Linear Statistical Models. 5th ed. MA: McGraw-Hill Irwin.

Liu, J., et al. (2023). Environmental values and firm performance: An empirical analysis. Journal of Environmental Management. 325, 116876.

Liu, L., et al. (2021). The role of financial flexibility in environmental investment: A study of Chinese listed firms. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 28(33), 45879-45892.

Liu, Y., et al. (2022). The impact of environmental regulations on corporate sustainability: Evidence from China. Journal of Environmental Management. 315, 115-132.

Luo, L., et al. (2021). Corporate environmental responsibility and firm performance: The moderating role of institutional investors. Business Strategy and the Environment. 30(1), 268-281.

Montabon, F., et al. (2016). Making sustainability sustainable. Journal of Supply Chain Management. 52(2), 11-27.

MSA Advisory. (2023). China’s evolving ESG regulations: Implications for corporate governance and investors. MSA Advisory Reports.

Sassen, R., et al. (2016). Impact of ESG factors on firm risk in Europe. Journal of Business Economics. 86(8), 867-904.

Suttipun, M., et al. (2023). The impact of environmental, social and governance (ESG) reporting and female board members on financial performance: Evidence from Thailand. Journal of Accountancy Profession. 19(61), 98–111.

Tang, H. (2022). The effect of ESG performance on corporate innovation in China: The mediating role of financial constraints and agency cost. Sustainability. 14(7), 3769.

Tang, Y., et al. (2022). Environmental management practices and firm profitability: Evidence from China. Resources, Conservation, and Recycling. 181, 106249.

United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment (UNPRI). (2020). ESG integration in China: Challenges and opportunities for responsible investors. UNPRI.

Wang, X., et al. (2022). Financial constraints and corporate environmental responsibility: Evidence from China. Journal of Cleaner Production. 331, 129999.

Wu, Y., et al. (2022). Cultural values and green management practices: Evidence from global firms. Journal of Business Research. 145, 12-26.

Wu, Y., et al. (2023). Financial constraints and green innovation: Insights from emerging markets. Technological Forecasting and Social Change. 189, 122301.

Xie, X., et al. (2021). Green supply chain management and financial performance: The mediating role of environmental performance. Sustainability. 13(4), 2262.

Xu, L., et al. (2021). Corporate environmental management and risk reduction: A meta-analytic review. Environmental Research. 198, 111223.

Xu, Y., et al. (2024). Green technology adoption and corporate performance in high-emission industries: The role of M&A strategies. Sustainable Development Review. 42(1), 88-105.

Xu, Y., & Zhu, N. (2024). The effect of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance on corporate financial performance in China: Based on the perspective of innovation and financial constraints. Sustainability. 16(8), 3329.

Zeng, S., et al. (2021). The role of ISO 14001 in corporate sustainability: An empirical investigation. Journal of Cleaner Production. 294, 126333.

Zhang, X., et al. (2022). Environmental protection management systems and their impact on corporate performance: Evidence from Asia. Asian Business & Management. 21(2), 257-272.

Zhou, J., et al. (2023). Environmental sustainability under financial constraints: A global perspective. Environmental Science and Policy. 147, 36-48.