Jakman

Article Details

Vol. 7 No. 4 (2026): September

Articles

Environmental, Social and Governance Performance, Asset Turnover and Firm Performance: Evidence from Indonesia

Y Yulfiswandi Yulfiswandi G Gizella Gizella I Isnaini Nuzula Agustin T Tony Chandra
Abstract
10 Sep 2026

Purpose: This study examines whether Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance improves firm performance and investigates the mediating role of asset turnover in explaining how ESG initiatives contribute to financial outcomes among Indonesian listed firms based on stakeholder theory and the resource-based view.
Research Methodology: Using secondary panel data from 96 publicly listed firms with 674 firm-year observations during 2009–2023, this study employs two-way fixed effects regression and mediation analysis. ESG data were obtained from Refinitiv, while financial data were collected from Worldscope.
Results: The findings show that ESG performance has a positive and significant effect on future Return on Assets (ROA). The mediation analysis indicates that asset turnover acts as a key mechanism linking ESG performance to profitability by improving operational efficiency. The positive impact of ESG is more pronounced among larger firms and firms with lower leverage.
Conclusions: ESG engagement represents a value-enhancing strategy rather than a financial burden. Firms implementing stronger ESG practices can achieve better financial outcomes through improved operational efficiency and resource utilization.
Limitations: This study is limited to Indonesian publicly listed firms and primarily relies on ROA and Refinitiv ESG scores as indicators of financial performance and sustainability practices.
Contributions: This study contributes to the ESG literature by identifying asset turnover as an important operational pathway through which ESG performance enhances profitability. The findings provide empirical evidence from Indonesia and support the development of sustainable business strategies that improve competitiveness, transparency, and long-term corporate value.

Keywords: Asset Turnover ESG Performance Firm Performance Indonesia
How to Cite
Yulfiswandi, Y., Gizella, G., Agustin, I. N., & Chandra, T. (2026). Environmental, Social and Governance Performance, Asset Turnover and Firm Performance: Evidence from Indonesia. Jurnal Akuntansi, Keuangan, Dan Manajemen, 7(4), 475–496. https://doi.org/10.35912/jakman.v7.n4.p475-496.2026
References
  1. Aguilera-Caracuel, J., Guerrero-Villegas, J., Ahmadova, G., & Bornay-Barrachina, M. (2026). Social sustainability and financial performance of multilatinas: The moderating role of board independence and the sustainability committee. Review of Managerial Science, 20(6), 1755-1792. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11846-025-00922-w
  2. Agustin, I. N., Safitri, D., Hesniati, H., & Robin, R. (2025). Navigating market volatility: ESG and islamic stock performance amidst Covid-19 stringency. ETIKONOMI, 24(1), 69-84. https://doi.org/10.15408/etk.v24i1.38475
  3. Al Azizah, U. S., & Haron, R. (2025). The sustainability imperative: Evaluating the effect of ESG on corporate financial performance before and after the pandemic. Discover Sustainability, 6(1), 529. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-025-01401-8
  4. Alatawi, M. S., Daud, Z. M., & Johari, J. (2025). The Mediating Role of the Firm Image in the Relationship Between Integrated Reporting and Firm Value in GCC Countries. Journal of Risk and Financial Management, 18(8), 438. https://doi.org/10.3390/jrfm18080438
  5. Alrobai, F., Alrashed, A. A., & Albaz, M. M. (2025). Earnings quality drivers: Do firm attributes and ownership structure matter in emerging stock markets?. Risks, 13(1), 6. https://doi.org/10.3390/risks13010006
  6. Amendola, A., Bernardelli, A. E., & Giudici, P. (2025). Measuring inequality in the adoption of ESG scores by small and medium enterprises. International Review of Economics & Finance, 103. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iref.2025.104522
  7. Arunachalam, R. (2023). Panel regression modelling for COVID-19 infections and deaths in Tamil Nadu, India. Data, 8(10), 158. https://doi.org/10.3390/data8100158
  8. Aruwaji, M. A., & Swanepoel, M. J. (2025). The impact of AI-integrated ESG reporting on firm valuation in emerging markets: A multimodal analytical approach. Journal of Risk and Financial Management, 18(12), 675. https://doi.org/10.3390/jrfm18120675
  9. Bahadır, O., & Akarsu, S. (2024). Does company information environment affect ESG: Financial performance relationship? Evidence from european markets. Sustainability, 16(7), 2701. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16072701
  10. Baird, K., Nuhu, N., & Jiao, L. (2024). The effect of Porter’s competitive forces on competitive advantage and organisational performance and the moderating role of management accounting practices. Journal of Management Control, 35(2), 303-332. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00187-024-00375-4
  11. Banerjee, S., Mitra, A., & Aggarwal, S. (2025). Impact of environmental, social, and governance parameters on financial performance of firms: A cross-country analysis. Journal of Risk and Financial Management, 18(12), 666. https://doi.org/10.3390/jrfm18120666
  12. Barney, J., Wright, M., & Ketchen Jr, D. J. (2001). The resource-based view of the firm: Ten years after 1991. Journal of management, 27(6), 625-641. https://doi.org/10.1177/014920630102700601
  13. Bashir, Y., Zhao, Y., Qiu, H., Ahmed, Z., & Yau, J. T.-H. (2023). Environmental, social, and governance performance and value creation in product market: Evidence from emerging economies. Journal of Risk and Financial Management, 16(12), 517. https://doi.org/10.3390/jrfm16120517
  14. Bilal, A. O., Gamer, S. D., Elsheikh HamadElniel, R. E., Jawadi, R. H., Alaskar, M. Z., & Alzahrani, A. S. (2025). Corporate social responsibility and perceived financial performance: Mediating roles of employee engagement and green creativity in saudi banking. Sustainability, 17(21), 9753. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17219753
  15. Cabaleiro-Cerviño, G., & Mendi, P. (2024). ESG-driven innovation strategy and firm performance. Eurasian Business Review, 14(1), 137-185. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40821-024-00254-x
  16. Chandra, A., Wijaya, F., Angelia, A., & Hayati, K. (2021). Pengaruh debt to equity ratio, total assets turnover, firm size, dan current ratio terhadap Return on Assets. Jurnal Akuntansi, Keuangan, dan Manajemen, 2(1), 57-69. https://doi.org/10.35912/jakman.v2i1.135
  17. Chen, K.-H., Zhang, Y., Elston, J. A., Chen, P.-H., & Hsu, K.-H. (2026). Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiative scores and firm performance: The importance and role of firm size. Small Business Economics, 66(1), 71-95. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11187-025-01096-1
  18. Chen, S., & Fan, M. (2024). ESG ratings and corporate success: Analyzing the environmental governance impact on Chinese companies’ performance. Frontiers in Energy Research, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenrg.2024.1371616
  19. Ding, H., Han, W., & Wang, Z. (2024). Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG) and total factor productivity: The mediating role of financing constraints and R&D investment. Sustainability, 16(21), 9500. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16219500
  20. Dinçergök, B., & Pirgaip, B. (2025). Financial constraints and the ESG–firm performance nexus in the automotive industry: Evidence from a global panel study. Sustainability, 17(15), 6985. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17156985
  21. Duque-Grisales, E., & Aguilera-Caracuel, J. (2021). Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) scores and financial performance of multilatinas: Moderating effects of geographic international diversification and financial slack. Journal of Business Ethics, 168(2), 315-334. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-019-04177-w
  22. Ehlers, T., Elsenhuber, U., Jegarasasingam, A., & Jondeau, E. (2024). Deconstructing ESG scores: Investing at the category score level. Journal of Asset Management, 25(3), 222-244. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41260-024-00356-1
  23. Fettahoglu, S., Allak, S., & Ozcan Turkkan, B. (2025). ESG scores and corporate performance in emerging markets: Evidence from E7 countries. Sustainability, 17(19), 8936. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17198936
  24. Firmansyah, E. A., Umar, U. H., & Jibril, R. S. (2023). Investigating the effect of ESG disclosure on firm performance: The case of Saudi Arabian listed firms. Cogent Economics & Finance, 11(2), 2287923. https://doi.org/10.1080/23322039.2023.2287923
  25. Freeman, R. E., & MCvea, J. F. (2001). A stakeholder approach to strategic management. SSRN Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.263511
  26. Gao, Y., Liu, S., & Yang, L. (2025). The dynamics of peer influence in corporate ESG practices. International Review of Financial Analysis, 103. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.irfa.2025.104186
  27. Gao, Y., Omenihu, C. M., Brahma, S., & Nwafor, C. (2025). Short-term impact of ESG performance on default risk under the green transition of energy sector: Evidence in China. Administrative Sciences, 15(9), 352. https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci15090352
  28. Global Sustainable Investment. (2022). GSIA-Report-2022. Retrieved from https://www.gsi-alliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/GSIA-Report-2022.pdf
  29. Hamdouni, A. (2025). Value creation through Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) disclosures. Journal of Risk and Financial Management, 18(8), 415. https://doi.org/10.3390/jrfm18080415
  30. Handoyo, S., & Anas, S. (2024). The effect of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) on firm performance: The moderating role of country regulatory quality and government effectiveness in ASEAN. Cogent Business & Management, 11(1), 2371071. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2024.2371071
  31. Ho, L., Nguyen, V. H., & Dang, T. L. (2024). ESG and firm performance: Do stakeholder engagement, financial constraints and religiosity matter?. Journal of Asian Business and Economic Studies, 31(4), 263–276. https://doi.org/10.1108/JABES-08-2023-0306
  32. Ibrahimov, O., Vancsura, L., & Parádi-Dolgos, A. (2025). The impact of macroeconomic factors on the firm’s performance: Empirical analysis from Türkiye. Economies, 13(4), 111. https://doi.org/10.3390/economies13040111
  33. Indriani, E. (2024). Sustainable investing drive by ESG performance: Evidence of companies listed on the Indonesian Capital Market. International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science, 13(3), 309-322. https://doi.org/10.20525/ijrbs.v13i3.3287
  34. Istiana, N., & Rolanda, I. (2025). Analysis of factors affecting return on assets. Reviu Akuntansi, Manajemen, dan Bisnis, 5(2), 325-341. https://doi.org/10.35912/rambis.v5i2.5248
  35. Itan, I., Sylvia, S., Septiany, S., & Chen, R. (2025). The influence of environmental, social, and governance disclosure on market reaction: Evidence from emerging markets. Discover Sustainability, 6(1), 347. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-025-01085-0
  36. Kádárová, J., Lachvajderová, L., & Sukopová, D. (2023). Impact of digitalization on SME performance of the EU27: Panel data analysis. Sustainability, 15(13), 9973. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15139973
  37. Källberg, D., & Waernbaum, I. (2023). Large sample properties of entropy balancing estimators of average causal effects. Econometrics and Statistics. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecosta.2023.11.004
  38. Li, M., & Gan, Y. (2026). From disclosure to distortion: How strategic ESG disclosure shapes green innovation bubbles. Borsa Istanbul Review, 26(1), 100746. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bir.2025.10.019
  39. Li, Q., Tang, W., & Li, Z. (2024). ESG systems and financial performance in industries with significant environmental impact: A comprehensive analysis. Frontiers in Sustainability, 5. https://doi.org/10.3389/frsus.2024.1454822
  40. Liu, H., Fan, W., & Li, C. (2025). From ESG performance to corporate resilience: Evidence from China’s manufacturing industry. Sustainability, 17(21), 9672. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17219672
  41. Ma, A., Gao, Y., & Xing, L. (2025). The impact of ESG performance on corporate investment efficiency: Evidence from chinese agribusiness companies. Sustainability, 17(16), 7362. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17167362
  42. Mahmood, F., Han, D., Ali, N., Mubeen, R., & Shahzad, U. (2019). Moderating effects of firm size and leverage on the working capital finance–profitability relationship: Evidence from China. Sustainability, 11(7), 2029. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11072029
  43. Matsali, C., Skordoulis, M., Papagrigoriou, A., & Kalantonis, P. (2025). ESG Scores as Indicators of Green Business Strategies and Their Impact on Financial Performance in Tourism Services: Evidence from Worldwide Listed Firms. Administrative Sciences, 15(6), 208. https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci15060208
  44. Maury, B. (2006). Family ownership and firm performance: Empirical evidence from Western European corporations. Journal of Corporate Finance, 12(2), 321-341. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcorpfin.2005.02.002
  45. Nguyen, D., Hoang, T., & Tran, H. (2022). Help or hurt? The Impact of ESG on firm performance in S&P 500 non-financial firms. Australasian Business, Accounting and Finance Journal, 16, 91–102. https://doi.org/10.14453/aabfj.v16i2.7
  46. Ningwati, G., Septiyanti, R., & Desriani, N. (2022). Pengaruh environment, social and governance disclosure terhadap kinerja perusahaan. Goodwood Akuntansi dan Auditing Reviu, 1(1), 67-78. https://doi.org/10.35912/gaar.v1i1.1500
  47. Otoritas Jasa Keuangan. (2017). Peraturan Otoritas Jasa Keuangan nomor 51/POJK.03/2017 tentang penerapan keuangan berkelanjutan bagi lembaga jasa keuangan, emiten, dan perusahaan publik. Retrieved from https://www.ojk.go.id/sustainable-finance/id/peraturan/peraturan-ojk/Documents/SAL%20POJK%2051%20-%20keuangan%20berkelanjutan.pdf
  48. Otoritas Jasa Keuangan. (2022). Keterangan pers OJK terapkan tata kelola berkelanjutan di industri jasa keuangan. Retrieved from https://ojk.go.id/id/berita-dan-kegiatan/info-terkini/Pages/OJK-Terapkan-Tata-Kelola-Berkelanjutan-di-Industri-Jasa-Keuangan.aspx
  49. Pan, H., Qin, C., Li, Y., Jing, H., & Zhang, Y. (2025). Does financial flexibility affect corporate ESG Performance? Evidence from China. International Review of Economics & Finance, 102. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iref.2025.104272
  50. Primita, J., & Rolanda, I. (2024). Pengaruh Total Asset Turnover, Return on Asset, Struktur Aset, dan Ukuran Perusahaan terhadap Kebijakan Hutang. Goodwood Akuntansi dan Auditing Reviu, 2(2), 61-72. https://doi.org/10.35912/gaar.v2i2.2570
  51. Rashid Khan, H. U., Khidmat, W. B., Hares, O. A., Muhammad, N., & Saleem, K. (2020). Corporate governance quality, ownership structure, agency costs and firm perform: Evidence from an emerging economyance. Journal of Risk and Financial Management, 13(7), 154. https://doi.org/10.3390/jrfm13070154
  52. Refinitiv. (2024). Environmental, social and governance scores from LSEG. Retrieved from https://www.refinitiv.com/content/dam/marketing/en_us/documents/methodology/refinitiv-esg-scores-methodology.pdf
  53. Reinfeld, N., & Hagen, T. (2025). How would employees commute today if they had the same characteristics as employees in 1980?: Using entropy balancing to decompose changes in observed commuting mode choice over time in repeated cross-sections. Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, 192. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tra.2024.104370
  54. Saharti, M. (2025). R&D and Innovation and Its Impact on Firm Performance and Market Value: Panel Evidence from G7 Economies. Economies, 13(9), 254. https://doi.org/10.3390/economies13090254
  55. Saif-Alyousfi, A. Y. H., Alsadan, A., & Alalmaee, H. (2025). Profitability and Capital Intensity: Moderating Role of Debt Financing. Economies, 13(11), 324. https://doi.org/10.3390/economies13110324
  56. Shaikh, I. (2022). Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practice and firm performance: An international evidence. Journal of Business Economics and Management, 23(1), 218-237. https://doi.org/10.3846/jbem.2022.16202
  57. Shrestha, C., Andrikopoulos, P., & Park, J. S. (2025). ESG rating and financial performance in the emerging markets: The moderating effects of cross-listing and industry type. Research in International Business and Finance, 77. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ribaf.2025.102916
  58. Suhasmoro, A. R., Novianti, T., Achsani, N. A., & Andati, T. (2026). Environmental, social, and governance, investment, and firm value: Insights from a bibliometric and systematic review. Studi Akuntansi, Keuangan, dan Manajemen, 5(4), 195-208. https://doi.org/10.35912/sakman.v5i4.6322
  59. Suprapto, Y., Agustin, I. N., & Putri, A. A. (2025). Does profitability matter? The dual role of ROA and ROE in the ESG–firm value relationship. Journal of Enterprise and Development, 7(2), 358-369. https://doi.org/10.20414/jed.v7i2.13447
  60. Tang, H. (2022). The effect of ESG performance on corporate innovation in China: The mediating role of financial constraints and agency cost. Sustainability, 14(7), 3769. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14073769
  61. Tripopsakul, S. (2025). ESG practices, green innovation, and financial performance: Panel evidence from ASEAN firms. Journal of Risk and Financial Management, 18(8), 467. https://doi.org/10.3390/jrfm18080467
  62. Wan, H., Fu, J., & Zhong, X. (2023). ESG performance and firms' innovation efficiency: The moderating role of state-owned firms and regional market development. Business Process Management Journal, 30(1), 270-290. https://doi.org/10.1108/BPMJ-08-2023-0612
  63. Wang, Z., & Nishihara, M. (2025). Investment and information asymmetry in corporate sustainability: Incentive-auditing contracts and policy insights. International Review of Financial Analysis, 105. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.irfa.2025.104435
  64. Wang, Z., Zhang, C., Wu, R., & Sha, L. (2024). From ethics to efficiency: Understanding the interconnected dynamics of ESG performance, financial efficiency, and cash holdings in China. Finance Research Letters, 64. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.frl.2024.105419
  65. Wernerfelt, B. (1984). A resource-based view of the firm. Strategic Management Journal, 5(2), 171-180. https://doi.org/10.1002/smj.4250050207
  66. Wilms, R., Mäthner, E., Winnen, L., & Lanwehr, R. (2021). Omitted variable bias: A threat to estimating causal relationships. Methods in Psychology, 5, 100075. doi:. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.metip.2021.100075
  67. Wu, D., & Zhu, Q. (2025). The impact of ESG environmental performance on corporate performance: Evidence from China. Frontiers in Sustainability, 6. https://doi.org/10.3389/frsus.2025.1654564
  68. Wu, Z., & Chen, S. (2024). Does Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance improve financial institutions’ efficiency? Evidence from China. Mathematics, 12(9), 1369. https://doi.org/10.3390/math12091369
  69. Wu, Z., Zeng, N., & Song, J. (2025). Tax incentives and corporate technological innovation performance: An analysis from the perspective of R&D investment. International Review of Economics & Finance, 102, 104323. doi:. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iref.2025.104323
  70. Xie, H., Qin, Z., & Li, J. (2024). ESG performance and corporate carbon emission intensity: Based on panel data analysis of A-share listed companies. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2024.1483237
  71. Yang, F., Chen, T., Zhang, Z., & Yao, K. (2024). Firm ESG performance and supply-chain total-factor productivity. Sustainability, 16(20), 9016. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16209016
  72. Zahid, R. M. A., Khan, M. K., Anwar, W., & Maqsood, U. S. (2022). The role of audit quality in the ESG-corporate financial performance nexus: Empirical evidence from Western European companies. Borsa Istanbul Review, 22, S200–S212. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bir.2022.08.011
  73. Zairis, G., Apostolopoulos, N., & Liargovas, P. (2025). How do ESG ratings impact the valuation of the largest companies in Southern Europe?. https://doi.org/10.3390/su172210347
  74. Zavalii, T., Lehenchuk, S., Chyzhevska, L., & Hrabchuk, I. (2025). Determinants of financial performance in advertising and marketing companies: Evidence from central and eastern european countries. Journal of Risk and Financial Management, 18(3), 141. https://doi.org/10.3390/jrfm18030141
  75. Zhang, D., & Liu, L. (2022). Does ESG performance enhance financial flexibility? Evidence from China. Sustainability, 14(18), 11324. https://doi.org/10.3390/su141811324
  76. Zhao, D., Ngan, S. L., Jamil, A. H., Salleh, M. F., & Yusoff, W. S. (2025). Peer effects on ESG disclosure: Drivers and implications for sustainable corporate governance. Sustainability, 17(10), 4392. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17104392
  77. Zhu, T., Liu, D., & Zhang, L. (2025). Does ESG performance help corporate deleveraging? Based on an analysis of excessive corporate debt. Sustainability, 17(3), 1274. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17031274
License & Copyright