Achievement of both Growth and Environmental Conservation by Digital Platform Providers
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32479/ijeep.13152Abstract
This study explores the achievement of both growth and environmental conservation by digital platform providers, employing financial performance and environmental impact data from six providers in the US and Japan. 1) The regression analyses confirm the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis in three combinations of earnings per share (EPS)–electricity consumption or waste generation, treasury stocks–water consumption, and an inverted N-shaped curve in the combination of EPS–Scope 2 CO₂ emissions. 2) The growing trend of Environment, Society, and Governance (ESG)-oriented investment has acted as competitive pressure on the providers for fundraising, especially in spurring them to disclose information. 3) Both increasing EPS to the verified thresholds and ESG-oriented management are deciding factors, and any advanced EPS and ESG-based approaches could contribute toward developing academic frontiers.