ESG as a Driver of Organizational and Social Development: Opportunities, Investments, Performance and Challenges

In recent years, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles have become central to the sustainability agenda of both private and public organizations. Originally focused on corporate accountability and ethical investment, ESG has expanded into a multidimensional concept that shapes risk management, resource allocation, and stakeholder relations. Despite its increasing prominence, ESG frameworks face persistent challenges, including limited comparability of indicators, lack of standardized reporting mechanisms, and the risk of superficial adoption or greenwashing. These limitations undermine the credibility and effectiveness of ESG as a true driver of sustainable development. Against this backdrop, it is essential to advance research that examines the theoretical foundations, measurement approaches, and practical applications of ESG in diverse contexts. Understanding these dynamics will allow scholars and practitioners to refine tools, improve governance mechanisms, and align organizational strategies with the broader objectives of sustainable and socially responsible development.

The goal of this Research Topic is to critically explore Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices as catalysts of organizational transformation and social development. ESG has evolved beyond a compliance-oriented approach to become a strategic framework that integrates environmental protection and sustainability, social responsibility and inclusion, and governance structures that ensure transparency and accountability. Together, these three dimensions shape competitiveness, innovation, and long-term value creation. Organizations and governments increasingly rely on ESG frameworks to attract investments, manage risks, and build trust with stakeholders. Nevertheless, despite the growing relevance of ESG, its implementation remains fragmented across sectors, hindered by inconsistent standards, measurement challenges, and concerns about reporting credibility. This Research Topic aims to gather theoretical, methodological, and empirical contributions that investigate both opportunities and barriers in ESG integration. Ultimately, the objective is to advance interdisciplinary dialogue and generate knowledge that strengthens resilience, promotes responsible practices across the three pillars, and contributes to sustainable organizational and societal progress.

This Research Topic invites contributions that examine Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices from balanced and interdisciplinary perspectives. Authors may address themes such as environmental protection and sustainability strategies, social responsibility and stakeholder engagement, and governance mechanisms for transparency, ethics, and accountability. Submissions that integrate ESG into corporate strategy, investment decisions, and performance measurement are particularly encouraged. We also welcome studies exploring challenges such as greenwashing, standardization of metrics, and cross-sectoral comparisons. Contributions may include empirical research, conceptual analyses, methodological advances, systematic reviews, or detailed case studies. By gathering diverse approaches, the collection aims to expand theoretical understanding and provide practical insights into how ESG frameworks can foster organizational resilience, innovation, and sustainable development across different industries and regions.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Community Case Study
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Community Case Study
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Review
• Systematic Review

Keywords: ESG, sustainability, corporate governance, organizational performance, social development, environmental protection

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.