ESG performance drivers and corporate growth: a life-cycle-based fsQCA–PSM study of China’s construction and manufacturing enterprises

This study adopts a multi-perspective TOE framework and integrates Necessary Condition Analysis (NCA), fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA), and Propensity Score Matching (PSM) to investigate how technological, organizational, and environmental factors jointly influence ESG performance...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Ding Li, Han Yan, Shenglin Ma
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-06-01
Series:Journal of Asian Architecture and Building Engineering
Subjects:
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13467581.2025.2517911
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849688549202329600
author Ding Li
Han Yan
Shenglin Ma
author_facet Ding Li
Han Yan
Shenglin Ma
author_sort Ding Li
collection DOAJ
description This study adopts a multi-perspective TOE framework and integrates Necessary Condition Analysis (NCA), fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA), and Propensity Score Matching (PSM) to investigate how technological, organizational, and environmental factors jointly influence ESG performance and firm growth. Using a sample of construction and manufacturing firms in China, we find: (1) ESG improvements result from the synergy of multiple factors. Four causal paths are identified: H1a (digital transformation + R&D investment + marginal firm size), H1b (digital transformation + financial performance + government subsidies + marginal industry competition), H2 (R&D investment + financial performance + marginal firm size), and H3 (financial performance + industry competition). These form three configuration types: internal–external collaboration, proactive development, and self-reliance under external pressure. (2) The configurations display causal asymmetry, with a single-factor-driven model linked to poor ESG outcomes. (3) The impact on growth varies: the self-reliance model consistently promotes growth; the other two hinder it during early stages but enhance it in maturity. In the decline phase, only internal–external collaboration remains effective. This research advances ESG understanding and informs strategies for enterprise growth.
format Article
id doaj-art-be3e655d99d4465bb207426cd1e1f1b4
institution DOAJ
issn 1347-2852
language English
publishDate 2025-06-01
publisher Taylor & Francis Group
record_format Article
series Journal of Asian Architecture and Building Engineering
spelling doaj-art-be3e655d99d4465bb207426cd1e1f1b42025-08-20T03:21:56ZengTaylor & Francis GroupJournal of Asian Architecture and Building Engineering1347-28522025-06-010011810.1080/13467581.2025.25179112517911ESG performance drivers and corporate growth: a life-cycle-based fsQCA–PSM study of China’s construction and manufacturing enterprisesDing Li0Han Yan1Shenglin Ma2Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural UniversityHebei University of Economics and BusinessNorth University of ChinaThis study adopts a multi-perspective TOE framework and integrates Necessary Condition Analysis (NCA), fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA), and Propensity Score Matching (PSM) to investigate how technological, organizational, and environmental factors jointly influence ESG performance and firm growth. Using a sample of construction and manufacturing firms in China, we find: (1) ESG improvements result from the synergy of multiple factors. Four causal paths are identified: H1a (digital transformation + R&D investment + marginal firm size), H1b (digital transformation + financial performance + government subsidies + marginal industry competition), H2 (R&D investment + financial performance + marginal firm size), and H3 (financial performance + industry competition). These form three configuration types: internal–external collaboration, proactive development, and self-reliance under external pressure. (2) The configurations display causal asymmetry, with a single-factor-driven model linked to poor ESG outcomes. (3) The impact on growth varies: the self-reliance model consistently promotes growth; the other two hinder it during early stages but enhance it in maturity. In the decline phase, only internal–external collaboration remains effective. This research advances ESG understanding and informs strategies for enterprise growth.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13467581.2025.2517911esg performancetoe frameworkconfigurational analysislife cycle theorycorporate growth potential
spellingShingle Ding Li
Han Yan
Shenglin Ma
ESG performance drivers and corporate growth: a life-cycle-based fsQCA–PSM study of China’s construction and manufacturing enterprises
Journal of Asian Architecture and Building Engineering
esg performance
toe framework
configurational analysis
life cycle theory
corporate growth potential
title ESG performance drivers and corporate growth: a life-cycle-based fsQCA–PSM study of China’s construction and manufacturing enterprises
title_full ESG performance drivers and corporate growth: a life-cycle-based fsQCA–PSM study of China’s construction and manufacturing enterprises
title_fullStr ESG performance drivers and corporate growth: a life-cycle-based fsQCA–PSM study of China’s construction and manufacturing enterprises
title_full_unstemmed ESG performance drivers and corporate growth: a life-cycle-based fsQCA–PSM study of China’s construction and manufacturing enterprises
title_short ESG performance drivers and corporate growth: a life-cycle-based fsQCA–PSM study of China’s construction and manufacturing enterprises
title_sort esg performance drivers and corporate growth a life cycle based fsqca psm study of china s construction and manufacturing enterprises
topic esg performance
toe framework
configurational analysis
life cycle theory
corporate growth potential
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13467581.2025.2517911
work_keys_str_mv AT dingli esgperformancedriversandcorporategrowthalifecyclebasedfsqcapsmstudyofchinasconstructionandmanufacturingenterprises
AT hanyan esgperformancedriversandcorporategrowthalifecyclebasedfsqcapsmstudyofchinasconstructionandmanufacturingenterprises
AT shenglinma esgperformancedriversandcorporategrowthalifecyclebasedfsqcapsmstudyofchinasconstructionandmanufacturingenterprises