Panel data analysis reveals corporate digital transformation boosts ESG performance, indicating overseas expansion mediates this effect.
In the context of enterprises expanding overseas, digital transformation offers a strategic pathway for improving quality, reducing costs, and enhancing operational efficiency, thereby supporting long-term sustainable development. Drawing on panel data from A-share listed companies between 2014 and 2023, this study employs both baseline regression model and mediating effect model to examine the interplay among corporate digital transformation, ESG performance, and international expansion. The findings reveal that corporate digital transformation can significantly boost ESG performance; overseas expansion plays a crucial mediating role between digital transformation and ESG performance; and the impact of corporate digital transformation on ESG performance varies by region, industry, ownership type, and performance dimension. Manufacturing firms, non-eastern regions, and state-owned enterprises benefit more significantly, and among ESG dimensions, the effect on environmental indicators is particularly notable. Consequently, to elevate corporate ESG performance, it is necessary to strengthen the development of mechanisms for corporate digital transformation and overseas expansion, as well as enhance cooperation between regions and industries.
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T. Zhang (2025) studied this question.
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