Analyses & Alternatives (분석과 대안)

Korea Consensus Institute(KCI) (사단법인 코리아컨센서스연구원)
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The effect of R&D investment in Chinese private firms on firm performance and value: The moderating effect of ESG score

중국 민영기업의 R&D 투자가 경영성과와 기업가치에 미치는 영향: ESG 성과지수의 조절효과

  • Youngsoo Park (Academy of Chinese Studies, Incheon National University)
  • 박영수 (인천대학교 중국학술원)
  • Received : 2024.05.21
  • Accepted : 2024.06.12
  • Published : 2024.06.30
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Abstract

This study examines the effect of R&D investment on firm performance and value of Chinese private firms. Through R&D investment, firms aim to acquire knowledge and technological resources to create innovation and competitive advantage, which ultimately enhances firm performance and value. However, unlike other investments, R&D investments are characterized by high adjustment costs and risks, uncertainty and asymmetric information. In addition, the effect of R&D investment on firm performance and value has been shown to be mixed results due to various internal and external contextual factors. Therefore, this study intends to consider how the ESG activities of firms, which have recently attracted attention, act as a contextual factor in the results of R&D investment. This is because interaction with stakeholders through ESG activities is considered to be an important factor in securing competitive advantages and sustainable growth. In this context, this study measures the effect of a firm's R&D investment on its business performance by dividing it into financial performance and value, respectively, and examines the moderating effect of ESG score on the relationship. Based on empirical analysis of all Chinese private firms from 2010 to 2019, the results show that a firm's R&D investment has a negative impact on performance and a positive impact on value. Furthermore, a high ESG score of private firms positively moderates each relationship, emphasizing the importance of ESG activities.

본 연구는 중국 민영기업의 R&D 투자가 경영성과와 기업가치에 미치는 영향을 확인하고 있다. 기업은 R&D 투자를 통해 지식 및 기술자원을 확보하고, 이를 통해 혁신과 경쟁 우위를 창출하여 궁극적으로 기업의 성과와 가치를 높이는 것을 목표로 한다. 그러나 R&D 투자는 다른 투자와 다르게 높은 조정비용과 위험을 지니고 있으며, 불확실성과 비대칭 정보를 수반하는 특징을 지니고 있다. 또한, 기업이 처한 다양한 내외부의 상황적 요인으로 인하여 R&D 투자가 경영성과와 가치에 미치는 영향은 혼재된 결과를 보여주고 있다. 이에 본 연구는 최근 주목받고 있는 기업의 ESG 활동이 R&D 투자의 결과에 어떠한 상황적인 요소로 작용하는지를 고려하고자 한다. ESG 활동을 통한 이해관계자들과의 상호작용은 기업의 경쟁 우위 확보와 더불어 지속 가능한 성장을 위한 중요한 요인으로 평가받고 있기 때문이다. 이러한 배경에서 본 연구는 기업의 R&D 투자가 경영성과에 미치는 영향을 재무적인 성과와 기업가치로 각각 나누어서 측정하며, 그 관계에서 ESG 성과지수의 조절효과를 확인한다. 2010년부터 2019년까지 중국 전체 민영기업을 대상으로 실증 분석한 결과, 기업의 R&D 투자는 재무적인 성과에 부정적인 영향을, 그리고 기업가치에는 긍정적인 영향을 주는 것을 보여준다. 또한, 높은 민영기업의 ESG 평가지수는 각각의 관계를 긍정적으로 조절하는 결과를 보여주며, ESG 활동의 중요성을 강조하고 있다.

Keywords

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