arbiter
JournalsAccount

Forced or willing: A study of corporate ESG peer effects and value from the perspective of institutional isomorphism

Canjun Chen et al.

Business Research Quarterly2025https://doi.org/10.1177/23409444251339767article
AJG 2ABDC B
Weight
0.54

Abstract

This study focuses on China’s institutional environment and uses an institutional isomorphism framework derived from institutional theory to scrutinize the drivers behind corporate environmental, social responsibility, and corporate governance (ESG) peer behavior and its implications for firm value. The study reveals that Chinese listed firms exhibit a peer effect in their ESG practices, yet distinct institutional environments significantly influence the motives and efficacy of corporate ESG peer behavior. Coercive isomorphic pressures can lead firms to blindly imitate ESG practices, consequently impairing firm value. Within the framework of imitative isomorphism, firms situated within the mid-range of industry profitability demonstrate the most pronounced enhancement in firm value through their ESG imitation behavior. In the context of normative isomorphism, it is evident that in markets with lower regulatory standards, there is an exacerbation of the speculative phenomenon of corporations excessively mimicking ESG practices, ultimately resulting in a detrimental impact on firm value. JEL CLASSIFICATION: D21,D23,L2

9 citations

Open via your library →

Cite this paper

https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1177/23409444251339767

Or copy a formatted citation

@article{canjun2025,
  title        = {{Forced or willing: A study of corporate ESG peer effects and value from the perspective of institutional isomorphism}},
  author       = {Canjun Chen et al.},
  journal      = {Business Research Quarterly},
  year         = {2025},
  doi          = {https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1177/23409444251339767},
}

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

Flag this paper

Forced or willing: A study of corporate ESG peer effects and value from the perspective of institutional isomorphism

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

Evidence weight

0.54

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

F · citation impact0.52 × 0.4 = 0.21
M · momentum0.72 × 0.15 = 0.11
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.