• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.45-60
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• 2020

Recently, ESG bond issuance has been gradually spreading to banks and non-financial private companies in Korea. However, the Korean ESG bond market is still in its infancy in terms of size, diversity and investor base compared to the global ESG bond market. In other words, ESG bonds are rapidly forming in the global market, but are still in the formation stage in the domestic market, and various policy and practical measures such as system, incentives, and infrastructure are needed to activate them. In this paper, we examine the domestic and international status of ESG bonds in relation to responsible investment. In addition, this paper explores specific measures to revitalize the domestic ESG bond market in four aspects: establishing ESG bond standards, procedures and regulations, increasing ESG bond investment demand, increasing ESG bond issuance, building market infrastructure and market efforts. This study is expected to contribute to the development of the domestic ESG bond market and responsible investment.

• Journal of Navigation and Port Research
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.200-205
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• 2024

This paper examines the impact of ESG activities of domestic shipping companies on the cost of debt. It is known that companies with large information asymmetry tend to have high costs of debt. Corporate ESG activities have been identified as an effective means of reducing information asymmetry. By actively engaging in ESG activities, companies can lower the cost of debt by reducing information asymmetry. Therefore, this study aims to investigate whether these mechanisms, which have been observed in previous studies, also apply to domestic shipping companies. Multiple regression analysis is conducted on KOSP I-listed shipping companies from2010 to 2022. The cost of debt is set as the dependent variable, while the ESG rating is used as the explanatory variable. The analysis reveals that companies with a high level of ESG activities generally have a lower cost of debt. However, it is important to note that ESG activities of shipping companies do not seem to have a significant impact on their cost of debt. In fact, the level of ESG activities among domestic shipping companies is not particularly high (Hong, 2024). Despite these findings, domestic shipping companies should still strive for sustainable management to adapt to the rapidly changing business environment and meet the demands of the modern era. ESG management is a representative method for achieving sustainability. Therefore, shipping companies should not only focus on reducing the cost of debt but also on opening up the closed industry culture and communicating with capital market participants for sustainable growth. It is crucial for these companies to listen to the voices of stakeholders and embrace a holistic approach to sustainability.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.715-720
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• 2023

This study aims to select ESG items from a consumer perspective and examine the influence of these factors on corporate image and corporate reputation. ESG-related research tends to be conducted from a corporate or investment perspective. However, based on their evaluation of ESG activities, consumers form corporate image and corporate reputation. Accordingly, the E, S, and G evaluation items were applied from the consumer's perspective to analyze the impact of each item. As a result of the study, the impact on corporate image was found to be in the order of transparent management, support for small and medium-sized businesses, and response to climate change. The results of corporate reputation analysis showed transparent management, response to climate change, and support for small businesses. From the consumer's perspective, activities related to a company's response to climate change are considered a corporate obligation, and demands for coexistence and transparent corporate management of small and medium-sized businesses are growing. The significance of this study is that ESG requires environmental management, symbiotic management, and transparent management from a consumer point of view, suggesting that transparent corporate management is the most important factor. In addition, it suggests that communication with consumers of companies requires communication not only in the environmental area, but also in the social and governance areas.

• Journal of the Korea Fashion and Costume Design Association
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.45-59
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• 2023

This study aims to find implications for the introduction and practice of ESG by domestic fashion companies by examining the core ESG topics and strategies of Samsung C&T Fashion Division, Kolon FnC, F&F holdings, and Fila. ESG management analysis examined the importance of the criticality evaluation process, critical issues, and implementation strategies for each key topic based on the company's 2021 ESG sustainable management report, and analyzed the relationship with UN SDGs and the GRI. The analysis results are as follows: As for KCGS' ESG rating, Samsung C&T's fashion division, Kolon FnC, and Fila Holdings were rated A, while F&F Holdings was rated B+. The major issues derived from ESG's criticality assessment are environmental issues related to Samsung C&T's fashion division. Kolon FnC was found to have focused on the social sector and F&F Holdings focused on governance structure. After examining the correlation between the ESG core strategies of the investigated fashion companies and the 17 SDGs, the common areas were identified as quality employment, sustainable production and consumption, and climate changes and response. Correlation with the GRI Standards 2021 Index, (GRI 1, GRI 11, and GRI 12 created in 2021) was not reflected. In the future, it will be necessary to have a transparent governance structure that meets global standards, sets measurable goals, and continuously manages them. Other companies should also recognize ESG management processes that embrace various stakeholders and strengthens win-win cooperation to manage risks, and establish mid- to long-term response strategies.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.9 no.9
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• pp.229-239
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• 2022

The primary objective of the current study is to ascertain the effect of transparency and disclosure (T&D) on the value of banks operating in the Indian banking sector. It also includes finding the moderating impact of financial distress (FD) and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) on the association between T&D and the valuation of banks. The study employs Panel data analysis (PDA) to analyze data and produce novel results thereafter. The authors of the study have considered using data of secondary nature which is sourced from banks operating in the Indian banking industry. Data in the current study has been considered for ten financial years, i.e., 2010 to 2019. The results reveal that T&D positively impacts a firm's valuation. We have also found evidence that financial distress and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) significantly impact the value of firms under the influence of T&D. As far as we are aware, no study of this kind has been done yet in any developing nation to determine the effect that T&D, FD, and ESG have on the value of Indian banks. This paper can help future researchers in their respective studies that will involve the study variables (FD, T&D, and ESG).

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.113-119
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• 2023

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the effect of retailer's ESG performance on consumption value. The research analyzed the effect of consumption value that can be obtained through ESG management of retail companies on consumer attitude and repurchase intention. Research design, data, and methodology: A research model and hypothesis were established, and statistical analysis was performed on a total of 278 samples of all age groups. To secure the reliability and validity of the data, confirmatory factor analysis and discriminant validity analysis were performed, and the causal relationship of latent variables was verified through path analysis. Results: As a result of the analysis, it was found that among the characteristics of consumption value according to ESG management, social value, economic value, accessible value, and eco-friendly value had an effect on social contribution attitude. Also, the economic value was found to have an effect on the self-actualization attitude, and both the social contribution attitude and the self-actualization attitude have an effect on the purchase intention. Conclusions: This study empirically analyzed the value of ESG management in the retail industry that consumers are paying attention to recently. This will serve as a basis for revising and supplementing the retail companies' strategy in the near future.

• Clean Technology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.193-200
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• 2022

The term environmental, social and governance (ESG) was first used in the 2003 United Nations Environmental Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI). Among the three areas of ESG, environment refers to the impact of companies on the environment. Environmental factors address climate change policies and attempts to reduce emissions, waste and natural resource consumption. Social factors refer to the direction in which a company can improve the social impact of stakeholder includes employees, customers, communities, and governments involved in direct or indirect interaction with the organization itself and the company. Governance factors refer to stakeholders who make major decisions, the composition of the board of directors, their diversity and independence, and the internal policies that set limits and expectations for decision-making. Research related to ESG management is part of corporate social responsibility, sustainability, corporate or financial performance, and social responsibility investment. Through case studies and data-based empirical studies, it was confirmed that ESG management companies had positive results for most of the ESG related fields. Through literature analysis of domestic and international ESG history, introduction background, and management performance, this paper presents theoretical, practical implications by confirming that ESG's introduction and operation strategies are strong competitive strategies that directly affect corporate growth by creating attractive factors.

• Journal of Service Research and Studies
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.117-137
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• 2024

ESG has become a necessity for all companies, and major Korean banks are actively practicing ESG management. Banks are playing a role in providing ESG finance as intermediaries in the supply of funds. Recently, they have launched ESG digital banking products that offer preferential interest rates for eco-friendly activities in combination with digital technologies. However, indiscriminate provision of preferential interest rates can adversely affect profitability of banks, and they may face the problem of 'Greenwashing' if they do not contribute to improving environmental awareness. Therefore, this study selected ESG digital savings products linked to electricity savings as the subject of the study, and empirically analyzed consumers' environmental awareness and savings behavior through actual data of consumers (N=2,478). The main findings of this study are as follows First, the analysis of the consumer status of ESG digital banking products shows that the 30-50s are the main consumer base, and the MZ generation shows relatively high performance in achieving preferential interest rates through electricity saving practices. Second, consumers' environmental awareness has a significant impact on achieving the goals of ESG banking products. ESG banking products can contribute to environmental awareness while fulfilling the basic function of saving. Third, environmental awareness did not drive consumers' savings contribution behavior, suggesting the need for continued consumer engagement. Based on environmental awareness and the theory of saving behavior, this study provides a theoretical explanation in ESG financial products. The results suggest that the appropriateness of the preferential interest rate design of ESG financial products is important.

• Knowledge Management Research
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.153-171
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• 2022

With the global ESG management craze, domestic and foreign companies voluntarily declare sustainable management and actively respond by establishing strategies. The Financial Services Commission mandates the disclosure of sustainability reports representing ESG management sequentially and will expand to SMEs in the future. Information disclosure of sustainability reports is mainly done through international standards such as GRI, SASB, and TCFD, and many domestic companies use GRI Standards guidelines. This study examines the composition system of sustainability reports and compares public and private companies with GRI Standards to analyze sustainable management by type. This study revealed that public enterprises focused on social and labor, while private enterprises focused on the economy and environment through TF-IDF modeling. In addition, the electronic and information communication industries focused on product responsibility. Unlike previous studies that quantified and analyzed sustainability management according to grade, the current study analyzed sustainability reports, which are unstructured data. Therefore, the results of this study are expected to provide valuable theoretical and practical implications for researchers and supervisors interested in ESG management.

• The Journal of Information Systems
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.105-124
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• 2024

Purpose This study aims to propose a blockchain-based platform that can guarantee enhanced trustworthiness in corporate ESG efforts, demanded by global ESG initiatives such as GRI and TCFD. Blockchain technology, recognized for its transparency and data immutability, can contribute to building trust in ESG disclosures, meeting the data transparency verification needs required by these initiatives. This research also explores the use of NFTs representing unique ESG efforts by companies, helping them in organizing and sharing ESG information with investors and consumers. Design/methodology/approach This study utilizes Hyperledger Fabric, a permissioned blockchain known for its enhanced transparency, scalability, and suitability for business transactions, to develop a blockchain platform for managing and disclosing ESG information assets in a trustworthy manner. Furthermore, it introduces the concept of ESG NFTs as a more reliable method for conveying ESG information to stakeholders, where ESG NFTs undergo verification process by third-party authenticators and evaluation by independent evaluators for credibility of ESG disclosure. Findings The use of NFTs, which has been predominantly intended for market trading in public blockchain, offers a credible means of disseminating corporate ESG status and evaluations in a permissioned blockchain, better fit for business transactions. By representing information assets as NFTs, which are tamper-proof and establish clear ownership, the proposed platform enables effective management of ESG-related information assets.