This study aims to analyze the influence of CEO characteristics on ESG performance of ASEAN public listed companies and the moderating role of public pressure in this relationship.
The study uses panel data from 298 ASEAN public listed companies for 2019–2023 with 1,409 observations. Public pressure is measured through a combination of internet public attention and community assessment scores. Analysis uses panel regression with interaction variables to test moderation effects.
More mature CEOs and women CEOs significantly enhance ESG performance, while longer CEO tenure shows negative impact. CEO education level has no significant effect. Public pressure moderates the relationship between CEO age, CEO tenure and CEO gender with ESG performance.
This research integrates Upper Echelons Theory and Legitimacy Theory in ESG context, filling literature gaps that previously separated individual and external factors. The methodological contribution includes developing an innovative public pressure measurement that combines internet public attention and community assessment in the digital era.
