This book offers a rigorous examination of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) integration within corporate finance, bridging key gaps in existing academic research. The author reframes ESG not as a peripheral concern, but as a strategic imperative in contemporary corporate value creation. Drawing on recent theoretical advances and empirical findings, it analyses how ESG factors influence capital costs, financial performance, risk management, and long-term competitiveness for companies. The book is an essential reading for researchers and finance scholars wanting to deepen their knowledge on the topic.

Presents a comprehensive overview of the evolving role of ESG in corporate finance Develops a conceptual model linking ESG integration to financial performance, credit risk, and capital structure Offers a methodological framework, blending theory, evidence, and case studies for ESG and corporate value research

Autorentext

Andrea Quintiliani is Assistant Professor of Corporate Finance at the University of "G. d'Annunzio" Chieti-Pescara, Department of Management and Business Administration (Italy). He has held several academic positions, including Full Professor and Researcher in Financial Intermediation and Corporate Finance. His research focuses on corporate finance, the bank-firm relationship, internal credit rating systems,business valuation, and financial sustainability.

Inhalt

Introduction.- ESG principles and conceptual foundations.- ESG metrics, indices and financial instruments.- ESG factors and firm financial performance.- Capital structure, risk management and ESG strategies.- Literature review (years: from 2020 to 2025 - journal: indexed Scopus & WOS).- Empirical studies and applications.- Final reflections on ESG and corporate finance.