Financial flexibility refers to the ability of a firm to respond effectively to unanticipated shocks to its cash flows or its investment opportunities and is a key factor in the sustainable development of enterprise. This article explores the effect of financial flexibility on the enterprise performance of Taiwan’s manufacturing industry during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data for the first and second quarter of 2020 from companies listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange were collected and analyzed. The results indicate that for listed manufacturing companies on the Taiwan Stock Exchange, financial flexibility has a significant and positive effect on enterprise performance (return on assets, ROA), particularly in the asset-heavy manufacturing industry. However, financial flexibility has no significant effect on the enterprise performance of the asset-light manufacturing industry or the semiconductor industry. This study also show evidence that Taiwan’s asset-light manufacturing industry suffered the most from the COVID-19 crisis, which is not conducive to its sustainable development. In summary, the results show that Taiwan’s manufacturing industry has poor financial flexibility and one of the worst ROA during the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on the results of this research, effective suggestions to rationally retain financial flexibility and pay more attention to liquidity risk management for sustainable development are proposed for Taiwan’s manufacturing industry.

No abstract

Despite a huge body of literature revealing that the effect of environmental, social and governance (ESG) scores on a firms' financial performance and value, it lacks the empirical research on the nexus between corporate sustainable growth and ESG risk in the existing research. The paper aims to examine the nexus between ESG risk and corporate sustainable growth. This study utilizes a quantile regression approach to explore how ESG risk affects corporate sustainable growth (proxied by sustainable growth rate, SGR). The ordinary least squares estimation results confirm that ESG significantly negatively affects corporate sustainable growth. The quantile regression results reveal ESG risk has a significant negative effect on corporate sustainable growth in the upper quantiles of SGR, but not in the lower and median quantiles. The results show that the impact of ESG risk on the corporate sustainable growth is asymmetric and affected by the distribution of SGR. Furthermore, the research results identify that the negative relationship between ESG risk and corporate sustainable growth is particularly apparent for firms in environmentally sensitive industries. This study greatly contributes to existing literature, as with this detailed knowledge, managers can make decisions based on these associations and identify the most lucrative course of action.

This study aims to examine the nonlinear relationship between environmental, social and governance (ESG) and corporate financial performance (CFP) using Taiwan Stock Exchange (TSE) listed firms with ESG disclosure between 2005 and 2019. The pooled ordinary least square (OLS) regression estimation results indicate the ESG-CFP nexus is a nonlinear (inverted U-shaped pattern). Furthermore, the individual ESG pillars each have a different relationship with CFP. Both the environmental and social pillars have an inverted U-shaped relationship with CFP, whereas there is no significant relationship between the governance pillar and CFP. The concave nonlinear relationship also supports the tenets of the “too-much-of-a-good-thing” effect. This research confirms that TSE listed firms should identify the optimal ESG value (threshold point), where ESG costs and benefits balance, to maintain sustainable development and stakeholder engagement.

Research background: Corporate risk-taking (CRT) is crucial to a business's survival and performance and is a driving force for sustainable development. Environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices are critical to firm profits when considering sustainable economic growth; however, they can also be the cause of financial burdens. It is, therefore, crucial to assess the relationship between a company's ESG performance and its risk-taking. Purpose of the article: Considering the controversial results of empirical studies on the relationship between ESG and CRT, this study aims to theoretically and empirically investigate the curvilinear nexus between ESG practices and CRT within Taiwan's high-tech industry. Methods: Ordinary least square regression and quantile regression analysis was applied to investigate the curvilinear ESG-CRT relationship. The empirical studies were conducted in 38 high-tech companies on the Taiwan Stock Exchange that disclosed ESG information between 2005 and 2020, with a total of 437 firm-year observations. Findings & value added: Quantile regression estimation results reveal the ESG-CRT nexus is U-shaped (convex). Both the environmental and social pillar's relationship with CRT is nonlinear and U-shaped, whereas the governance pillar has no significant relationship with CRT. Overall, a comprehensive view is provided that shows ESG practices can have a double-edged sword effect on CRT. It is suggested that high-tech companies in Taiwan should avoid ESG practices becoming a tool for managements' self-interest. More information of ESG practices should be disclosed to stakeholders to ensure they are given full credit for the positive impact they have on capital allocation. Regulators guide firms to surpass the threshold of the U-shaped effect and take into consideration the whole benefits of stakeholders when they allocate existing resources toward environmental and social endeavors.