ESG Criteria and Corporate Financial Sustainability: An Analysis of the Role, Transparency, and Risk of Greenwashing

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46793/Rev26113.153B

Keywords:

ESG criteria, financial sustainability, greenwashing, corporate governance, sustainable business

Abstract

This paper analyses the role of ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) criteria in the context of corporate financial sustainability, with particular emphasis on the phenomenon of greenwashing. The aim of the study is to examine the extent to which the application of ESG principles contributes to long-term business stability, as well as to identify the challenges associated with their implementation. The methodological approach is based on the analysis of relevant scientific and professional literature, combined with a comparative review of various theoretical and practical perspectives. The results indicate that the consistent application of ESG criteria can enhance reputation, reduce risks, and improve financial performance, while inadequate or superficial implementation creates room for greenwashing and undermines investor trust. It is concluded that transparency is a key factor in achieving genuine sustainability and credibility in ESG reporting.

References

Al Masud, A., Terbak Hossain, M., Hossain, M., Naher, M., & Hasan, M. (2025). Enhancing financial performance through corporate social responsibility: Mediating role of environmental innovation and environmental performance. Cleaner and Responsible Consumption, vol. 17, 100279.

Alavi, S., & Aghakhani, H. (2023). Identifying the effect of green human resource management practices on lean-agile (LEAGILE) and prioritizing its practices. International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, vol. 72(3), 599-624.

Arhinful, R., Mensah, L., Amin, M., Asare Obeng, H., & Akwasi Gyamfi, B. (2025). The Strategic Role of Sustainable Finance in Corporate Reputation: A Signaling Theory Perspective. Sustainability, vol. 17(11), 5002.

Balci, N., & Dogan, M. (2026). The Impact of Corporate Governance and Sustainability Incentives on ESG Performance: An Analysis of E-Commerce Companies. Business Strategy and the Environmental.

Bansal, P., & DesJardine, M. (2014). Business sustainability: It is about time. Strategic Organization, vol. 12(1), 70-78.

Bulyga, R., Melnik, M., Safanova, I., & Gisin, V. (2023). A Model of ESG-Transparency Index in Corporate Reporting. MGIMO Review of International Relations.

Cho, C., Laine, M., Roberts, R., & Rodrigue, M. (2015). Organized hypocrisy, organizational façades, and sustainability reporting. Accounting, Organizations and Society, vol. 40, 78-94.

Chong, T., & Loh, L. (2023). Innovating ESG Integration as Sustainable Strategy: ESG Transparency and Firm Valuation in the Palm Oil Sector. Sustainability, vol. 15(22), 15943.

Cinceoglu, V., Strauß, N., Binder-Tietz, T., & Alvarado, I. (2025). Addressing Greenwashing–The Role of Strategic Communication in ESG Reporting. International Journal of Strategic Communication, 1-22.

Cordes, J., Dudley, E., & Washington, Q. (2022). Regulatory Compliance Burdens:Literature Review and Synthesis. Washington: The George Washington University Regulatory Studies Center.

Cuevas Lizama, J., & Royo-Vela, M. (2023). Implementation and measurement of shared value creation strategies: Proposal of a conceptual model. Business Strategy and Development, vol. 6(4), 598-609.

Delmas, M., & Burbano, V. (2011). The drivers of greenwashing. California Management Review, vol. 54(1), 64-87.

Donaghey, J., Reinecke, J., Niforou, C., & Lawson, B. (2014). From Employment Relations to Consumption Relations: Balancing Labor Governance in Global Supply Chains. Human Resource Management, vol. 53, 229-252.

dos Reis Cardillo, A., & Basso, C. (2025). Revisiting knowledge on ESG/CSR and financial performance: A bibliometric and systematic review of moderating variables. Journal of Innovation & Knowledge, vol. 10(1), 100648.

Eccles, R., Serafeim, G., Seth, D., & Chu Yee Ming, C. (2013). The Performance Frontier: Innovating for a Sustainable Strategy: Interaction. Harvard Business Review, vol. 91(7), 17-18.

Fan, Y., Wang, R., Alkaraan, F., & Wu, W. (2025). Decoding greenwashing practices toward sustainability: The synergistic influence of governance structure and policy-derive rhetorical strategies. Energy Economics, vol. 148, 108632.

Freeman, R. (2010). Strategic Management: A Stakeholder Approach. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Fridus, N., & Mori, A. (2023). Stranded assets and sustainable energy transition: A systematic and critical review of incumbents' response. Energy for Sustainable Development, vol. 73, 76-86.

Friedman, M. (2007). The Social Responsibility of Business Is to Increase Its Profits. U C. Zimmerli, M. Holzinger, & K. Richter, Corporate Ethics and Corporate Governance (str. 173-178). Berlin: Springer-Verlag.

Haas, C., Jahns, H., Kempa, K., & Moslener, U. (2023). Deep uncertainty and the transition to a low-carbon economy. Energy Research & Social Science, vol. 100, 103060.

Hu, H., Zhang, T., & Dong, H. (2026). The signaling power of ESG reports: How corporate sustainability disclosure shapes investment decisions in China. International Review of Financial Analysis, vol. 109, 104691.

Hussain, A., Ullah, A., Ayadi, N., & Deen, A. (2025). Sustainable Supply Chain Management: Challenges and Solutions. Journal of Informatics Education and Research, vol. 5(1), 3023-3040.

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, vol. 6(347), 1-19.

Jensen, M. (2002). Value Maximization, Stakeholder Theory, and the Corporate Objective Function. Business Ethics Quarterly, vol. 12 (2), 235-256.

Johannsdottir, L., & Davidsdottir, B. (2024). Proposed paradigm shift from shareholders and stakeholders to future successors. Disvoc Sustain, vol. 5(194), 1-29.

Khan, M., Serafeim, G., & Yoon, A. (2016). Corporate Sustainability: First Evidence on Materiality. The Accounting Review, vol. 91(6), 1697-1724.

Kim, E., & Lyon, T. (2015). Greenwash vs. Brownwash: Exaggeration and Undue Modesty in Corporate Sustainability Disclosure. Organization Science, vol. 26(3), 705-723.

Lagasio, V. (2024). ESG-washing detection in corporate sustainability reports. International Review of Financial Analysis, vol. 96, 103742.

LeBaron, G. (2021). The Role of Supply Chains in the Global Business of Forced Labour. Journal of Supply Chain Management, vol. 57(2), 29-42.

Lemenczyk, J., Garczarek-Bak, U., & Szymkowiak, A. (2026). Realizing the social capital theory through the creation of shared value. Decision, vol. .

Liu, H., Wu, S., Zhong, C., & Liu, Y. (2020). The Sustainable Effect of Operational Performance on Financial Benefits: Evidence from Chinese Quality Awards Winners. Sustainability, vol. 12(5), 1966.

Lyon, T., & Montgomery, A. (2015). The Means and End of Greenwash. Organization & Environment, vol. 28(2), 223-249.

Lyon, T., Montgomery, A., & Barg, J. (2023). No end in sight? A greenwash review and research agenda. Organization & Environment, vol. 37(2), 221-256.

Marquis, C., Toffel, M., & Zhou, Y. (2016). Scrutiny, Norms, and Selective Disclosure: A Global Study of Greenwashing. Organization Science, vol. 27(2), 483-504.

McBrayer, A. (2018). Does persistence explain ESG disclosure decisions? Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, vol. 25(6), 1074-1086.

Nicolo, G., Raimo, N., Vitolla, F., & Aversano, N. (2024). Unveiling universities sustainability disclosure antecedents: An empirical analysis during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Financial Reporting and Accounting.

Nykvist, B., & Maltais, A. (2022). Too risky – The role of finance as a driver of sustainability transitions. Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions, vol. 42, 219-231.

Omenihu, M., Abdrakhmanova, M., & Koufopoulos, N. (2025). Board Gender Diversity and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Disclosure in Developed Countries. Administrative Sciences, vol. 15(4), 141.

Persakis, A., Nikolopoulos, T., Negkakis, C., & Pavlopulos, A. (2025). Greenwashing in marketing: a systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis. International Review on Public and Nonprofit Marketing, vol. 22, 957-992.

Petropoulos, F., Akkermans, H., Aksin, O., Ali, I., Zied Babai, M., Barbosa-Povoa, A., . . . Zheng, T. (2026). Operations & supply chain management: principles and practice. International Journal of Production Research, vol. 64(1), 330-531.

Downloads

Published

2026-06-29

How to Cite

Budimir, N. (2026). ESG Criteria and Corporate Financial Sustainability: An Analysis of the Role, Transparency, and Risk of Greenwashing. REVIZOR * Journal of Organizational Management, Finance and Auditing, 29(1). https://doi.org/10.46793/Rev26113.153B

Issue

Section

Articles