Enhancement of Corporate ESG Performance: Synergistic Effects Among Actors of Diverse Institutional Logics

Given the belief that strict government regulation encourages corporate catering and weak market supervision, we have examined how institutional intermediaries can effectively promote corporate environmental governance. From the perspective of multiple institutional logics theory, this study investigates the combined influence of industry association connection, institutional investors, and media attention on information disclosure quality and corporate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance. We conducted an empirical analysis using data from China’s A-share listed companies between 2009 and 2021 to validate our theoretical model. The results indicate that (1) the professional logic embedded in industry association connection positively contributes to corporate ESG performance; (2) the market logic represented by institutional investors and the community logic represented by media attention amplify this relationship; (3) industry associations enhance corporate ESG performance through improving information disclosure quality; and (4) institutional investors moderate the mediating effect of information disclosure quality. These findings provide valuable insights into effective collaboration between organizations and diverse institutional actors in complex institutional environments. Moreover, the study offers practical guidance for policymakers and business managers seeking to develop ESG systems and achieve sustainable development.