In recent years, climate change and stakeholder demand for sustainable practices have prompted increasing numbers of companies to account for environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors in their business strategies. Companies’ success in doing so can be measured with ESG scores, which evaluate a firm’s environmental stewardship, social impact, and governance quality. Governance in particular – and especially board structure – is a critical factor in financial performance, given that well-structured and diverse boards enhance decision-making and oversight.

In a new study, we investigate the impact of ESG scores and board structure on the financial profitability of firms listed in the S&P 500 index from 2016 to 2022. Using the difference-in-differences (DiD) approach, our study aims to isolate the effects of ESG performance and board governance on firms’ net profit margins (NPM).

Our findings suggest that firms with better board structures exhibit significantly improved financial performance, especially since COVID. The governance component of ESG, which includes shareholder rights, audit and risk management, and the like, has a significant positive impact on financial profitability. In contrast, the environmental and social components of ESG, and the aggregate ESG score, do not have a significant effect.

Theoretical Background and Related Literature

There is a growing consensus on the importance of ESG considerations, yet gaps remain regarding the precise nature, intensity, and direction of the relationship between ESG scores and financial profitability.

Several theories suggest that companies prioritizing ESG activities often experience better financial results. The resource-based view (RBV) proposes that ESG initiatives create value, mitigate risks, and help build a sustainable competitive advantage. Integrating environmental sustainability into core operations can contribute to a more sustainable planet and a pathway to achieving competitive advantage.

Studies show varying degrees of correlation between ESG scores and financial profitability. A comprehensive meta-analysis by Friede et al. (2015) aggregated over 3,700 study results, finding that approximately 63% percent of meta-analyses and 48 percent of vote-count analyses identified a positive correlation between ESG scores and financial profitability. Conversely, less than 10 percent reported a negative impact.

The relationship between ESG performance and financial profitability remains a subject of debate. Some argue that incorporating ESG considerations can lead to additional costs that may reduce profits. Our study proposes that enhanced ESG scores contribute to higher profits, reflecting a firm’s commitment to sustainable and responsible business practices.

Governance Scores: A Key Driver of Profitability

Corporate governance emerges from the separation of ownership and management in a business, built on a framework of rules and practices aligning operations with stakeholder interests. Effective corporate governance is associated with sustainable development and ethical conduct, which mitigate sustainability-related controversies.

Stewardship theory suggests that employees are intrinsically motivated to achieve the best outcomes for their organization, thereby enhancing business performance. Resource dependency theory posits that corporate governance helps firms secure necessary resources by interacting effectively with external organizations, leading to better financial results.

Empirical studies support the positive impact of corporate governance on financial profitability, showing that companies with better governance scores exhibit superior financial metrics, including NPM. Our study offers the hypothesis that higher governance scores within the ESG framework lead to significant improvements in firms’ NPM.

Board Structure and Financial Profitability

The structure and composition of a company’s board are critical determinants of financial profitability. The Board Structure Influence (BSI) index reflects various dimensions of board governance, including independence, diversity, and role distribution, all of which contribute to effective oversight and strategic decision-making.

Agency theory highlights the importance of audits in monitoring, reducing information asymmetry, and enhancing ESG disclosure. Diverse and well-structured boards enhance decision-making and oversight, ultimately driving profitability. Boards with more independent members provide unbiased oversight, leading to more prudent financial decisions. Diverse boards bring varied perspectives, fostering innovation and comprehensive decision-making processes.

The literature underscores the significant role of board structure in influencing ESG scores and financial profitability. Our study aims to provide a comprehensive perspective by modeling the BSI index, integrating multiple key categories of board features. The hypothesis is that firms with a higher BSI index will experience significant improvements in NPM.

Post-COVID Impacts

COVID-19 brought significant challenges, underscoring the importance of resilient governance structures in navigating crises. Strong corporate governance, as reflected in high BSI indices and ESG scores, is pivotal in managing risks, adapting to changing environments, and sustaining financial profitability.

Studies suggest that companies with robust ESG frameworks likely see enhanced performance during crises. Effective governance structures mitigate the adverse effects of crises by providing better oversight, facilitating strategic decision-making, and ensuring sustainable business practices. Our study hypothesizes that the impact of the BSI index and ESG scores on financial profitability may be amplified during and after the pandemic.

Methodology

The study employs the DiD method for causal inference, estimating the causal impact of the BSI on financial profitability.

The primary financial metric used is NPM, which provides insight into a company’s core operations’ profitability. Control variables include interest expense, capital expenditure, and tax expense, helping to isolate the effect of the BSI Index.

The BSI index uses board composition, diversity, and compensation structure features. It includes three main components: separation, variety, and disparity scores, providing a comprehensive assessment of board governance.

The study tests critical assumptions for the DiD approach. Robustness checks include placebo tests and mediation analysis to confirm the validity of the findings.

Empirical Results

The analysis reveals that firms with higher BSI indices and better board structures exhibit significantly improved financial performance, particularly post-COVID.

Conclusion

Our study contributes to the growing literature on corporate governance and ESG, offering practical insights for investors and policymakers. Effective board governance and sustainable business practices are crucial in enhancing firm profitability. The findings emphasize the importance of well-structured and diverse boards, particularly in navigating crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.

Future research should explore the long-term impacts of ESG scores and board governance on financial performance, considering different industry contexts and geographical regions. Additionally, the role of specific ESG components in driving profitability warrants further investigation.

By understanding the interplay between ESG scores, board structure, and financial profitability, firms can better align their strategies with sustainable and ethical business practices, ultimately driving long-term success and stakeholder value.

This post comes to us from Luis A. Seco and Azin Sharifi at the University of Toronto and Shiva Zamani at Sharif University of Technology. It is based on their recent article, “From Crisis to Opportunity: The Impact of ESG Scores and Board Structure on Firms’ Profitability,” available here.