Liang, E.; Li, H. and Xinxu, S. (2026) How digital government influences firms' ESG performance in Chinese construction industry? A cross-boundary collaboration perspective. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, pp. 1-30. ISSN 0969-9988
Abstract
Purpose – With shifting digital era governance, interest in the link between firms' ESG performance and digital governments has grown, especially for construction firms facing carbon reduction, safety and corruption concerns. However, no empirical evidence supports this theory. In response, the study investigates digital government's effects on construction firms' ESG performance, mechanisms and heterogeneity. Design/methodology/approach – Using panel data on listed construction firms in China from 2009 to 2022, this study applies a difference-in-differences (DID) model and mediation models to test the mechanisms and heterogeneous effects in the relationship between digital government and construction firms' ESG performance. Findings – This study shows digital government boosts construction firms' ESG by enhancing environmental oversight, reducing bank information asymmetry and increasing media scrutiny, especially in highly marketized regions, construction firms with strong green innovation, and state-owned enterprises. Practical implications – Governments should improve construction firms' ESG performance via cross-boundary collaboration with key stakeholders and adopt strategies tailored to different firm types. Originality/value – This study examines digital government as a new predictor of ESG performance in construction firms, enriching the knowledge base. Based on digital governance theory, this study proposes a digital governance triangle of government, banks and media. This study will benefit researchers, construction professionals and policymakers.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | bank-firm information asymmetry; digital government; ESG performance; government environmental oversight; media attention |
| Index terms: | information asymmetry, knowledge base, collaboration, construction industry, corruption, China, governance, carbon reduction, construction firm, construction professional, evidence, strategy, mediation, media, methodology |
| Subjects: | information systems, dispute resolution, management, research methods, industry analysis, business, climate science, professional development, evaluation and assessment methods, professional ethics, sociology, Geography, transaction economics, organization |
| Topics: | Digital Applications, Business Strategy, Governance, Geographical Context, Sustainability, Research Practice, Organizational Design, Legal Issues, Information Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here