Critical Success Factors and Stakeholder Influence for Environmental, Social and Governance Assessment and Reporting

ABSTRACT

Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) assessment criteria have drawn substantial attention by investors in recent years. ESG factors have been considered by investors to create greater wealth and better investment decisions and opportunities. However, there are ambiguities about ESG assessment and reporting with issues of transparency and accountability. As a result, this study addresses the dearth in knowledge by proposing a novel approach to understanding critical success factors (CSFs) and stakeholder influence for ESG assessment and reporting. The study conceptualises the interplay between CSFs for ESG assessment and reporting and stakeholder influence to provide a holistic and actionable understanding of what drives quality ESG assessment and reporting. The study conducts a systematic review and uses thematic synthesis to identify CSFs of ESG assessment and reporting, ESG reporting frameworks and stakeholders. Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar databases have been sources of the peer‐reviewed data. Literature on ESG assessment, ESG reporting, CSFs and reporting frameworks was sourced and evaluated according to descriptive and content perspectives. Fuzzy Cognitive Mapping (FCM) technique has been used to present a conceptual model between CSFs and their interactions with key stakeholders. The study establishes seven thematic CSFs, four categorised Frameworks and five key stakeholder influences, which positively enhance sound ESG assessment and reporting. The conceptual model presents the relationship between stakeholder influence and CSFs on the quality of ESG assessment and reporting. The model showed that beyond regulation, another potent force shaping the quality and scope of ESG assessment and reporting is the key stakeholder influence.