Role of corporate sustainability disclosures in moderating the impact of country-level uncertainties on tourism sector firms’ risk

Abstract

The study investigates the role of corporate sustainability disclosures in moderating the link between country-level uncertainties (economic policy uncertainty, political uncertainty and uncertainty due to climate change) and firms’ risks (total risk, market risk, and default risk) in the worldwide tourism firms. We consider the volume of ESG (environmental, social and governance) activities disclosures by the firms as a proxy of corporate sustainability disclosures. The study also explores the link between sustainability disclosures and firms’ risks to validate the risk-reduction hypothesis. The study further highlights the relevance of country-level uncertainties in increasing firms’ risks. The findings indicate that corporate sustainability disclosures can assist in mitigating tourism firms’ risks during periods of heightened country-level uncertainties. The study also documents the significance of sustainability disclosures in reducing the effect of uncertainties on tourism firms’ risks during the COVID-19 period. The results validate the risk-reduction hypothesis indicating that firms’ engagement in corporate sustainability practices facilitates risk mitigation efforts during periods of escalated external uncertainties. By demonstrating that firms that engage in sustainability practices and provide required disclosures are better equipped to manage risks during periods of increased uncertainty, the study provides valuable insights for industry stakeholders, including investors, policymakers, and firms themselves.

Keywords:

• Corporate sustainability
• ESG disclosure score
• country-level uncertainties
• risk-reduction theory
• information asymmetry

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Dilip Kumar

Dilip Kumar is an Associate Professor at the Indian Institute of Management Kashipur, India. His research interest includes the impact of sustainability investments and various uncertainties on tourism sector firm risk and firm performance and various aspects of sustainable tourism and tourism economics.