Investor attention and environmental performance of Chinese high-tech companies: the moderating effects of media attention and coverage sentiment

Abstract

In the context of China’s rapid economic development, corporate pollutant emissions are increasing, underscoring the imperative for further enhancement of corporate environmental performance. Given the significance of high-tech enterprises in the environmental domain, this study examines the impact of investor attention on the corporate environmental performance of Chinese high-tech enterprises. This study utilized data from 463 high-tech enterprises in mainland China from 2011 to 2022 and employed the dynamic panel generalized method of moments (GMM) technique. The findings indicate that investor attention has a negative impact on the corporate environmental performance of high-tech enterprises. This research also finds that both media attention and coverage sentiment mitigate the negative relationship between investor attention and environmental performance of high-tech firms. Heterogeneity analysis reveals that in the sample of IT service industry, heightened media attention exacerbates the negative impact of investor attention on corporate environmental performance, and media coverage sentiment exhibits no significant moderating effect. Within samples of non-polluting and state-owned enterprises, increased media coverage sentiment amplifies the negative impact of investor attention on corporate environmental performance. This paper suggests that policymakers should foster a media environment that supports accurate and thorough environmental reporting while businesses should proactively engage with media to align investor perceptions with sustainable environmental practices.