DOES ESG INCREASE FIRM PERFORMANCE? EVIDENCE FROM ASEAN-5 BASED ON THE DYNAMIC THRESHOLD REGRESSION METHOD

Authors

  • Mei-Shan Chua Department of Economics and Financial Studies, Faculty of Business and Management, Universiti Teknologi Mara (Puncak Alam Campus)
  • Siti Nurhidayah Mohd Roslen Department of Economics and Financial Studies, Faculty of Business and Management, Universiti Teknologi Mara (Puncak Alam Campus)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33736/ijbs.12823.2026

Keywords:

ESG Score, ASEAN-5, Dynamic Threshold Regression Method, Threshold value, Low Regime and High Regime

Abstract

Guided by Shareholder Theory and Stakeholder Theory, this study examines the threshold influence of ESG on ASEAN-5 countries’ firm performance using the Dynamic Threshold Regression Method. DTRM is a powerful tool that addresses the dynamic nature of firm performance and resolves endogeneity problems in the variables used. Our analysis shows that ASEAN-5 firms must achieve an ESG score above the threshold to reap the benefits of ESG investment. At the low regime, we observed a negative relationship between ESG and firm performance, while at the high regime, the relationship was positive. These results remained robust across different estimation methods. The significance of the threshold value can serve as a reference for ASEAN-5 firms and relevant stakeholders in allocating funding for ESG activities to achieve long-term sustainable performance.

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Published

2026-04-29

How to Cite

Mei-Shan Chua, & Siti Nurhidayah Mohd Roslen. (2026). DOES ESG INCREASE FIRM PERFORMANCE? EVIDENCE FROM ASEAN-5 BASED ON THE DYNAMIC THRESHOLD REGRESSION METHOD. International Journal of Business and Society, 27(1), 248–268. https://doi.org/10.33736/ijbs.12823.2026