arbiter
JournalsAccount

Industry or Location? Peer Effects in ESG Disclosure and Its Economic Consequences

Li Wang et al.

Business Strategy and the Environment2026https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.70573article
AJG 3ABDC A
Weight
0.50

Abstract

Drawing on panel data spanning 2013–2022, this study investigates the propensity of A‐share listed companies in China to engage in mimetic ESG disclosure practices. The research aims to ascertain not only the prevalence of such imitation but also its economic consequences. The findings reveal significant peer effects in ESG disclosure, with companies showing a tendency to imitate their industry counterparts more so than those in their regional sphere. This industry peer effect is particularly pronounced and is found to enhance firm value, predominantly through the environmental (E) dimension. The study further observes that in markets with lower competition, as well as in the Midwest region, the impact of the ESG disclosure peer effects on firm value is especially pronounced. This study reconceptualizes peer effects in ESG disclosure as strategic benchmarking, empirically demonstrating that its value‐enhancing impact operates primarily through the Environmental pillar within industry networks and is significantly amplified in less competitive or institutionally weaker contexts.

Open via your library →

Cite this paper

https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.70573

Or copy a formatted citation

@article{li2026,
  title        = {{Industry or Location? Peer Effects in ESG Disclosure and Its Economic Consequences}},
  author       = {Li Wang et al.},
  journal      = {Business Strategy and the Environment},
  year         = {2026},
  doi          = {https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.70573},
}

Paste directly into BibTeX, Zotero, or your reference manager.

Flag this paper

Industry or Location? Peer Effects in ESG Disclosure and Its Economic Consequences

Flags are reviewed by the Arbiter methodology team within 5 business days.

Evidence weight

0.50

Balanced mode · F 0.40 / M 0.15 / V 0.05 / R 0.40

F · citation impact0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20
M · momentum0.50 × 0.15 = 0.07
V · venue signal0.50 × 0.05 = 0.03
R · text relevance †0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20

† Text relevance is estimated at 0.50 on the detail page — for your query’s actual relevance score, open this paper from a search result.