Exploring the Effectiveness of Sustainability Measurement: Which ESG Metrics Will Survive COVID-19?

Purpose - This paper hopes to give a general state of play on ESG integration and supported by a qualitative research approach aims to assess if current metrics system is valid and will survive the COVID-19 crisis. Design/Methodology/Approach - Drawing on semi-structured anonymous interviews with 14 senior managers of six European listed companies we use a sociological framework by assessing the mechanisms of reactivity on the effectiveness of ESG measures in times of COVID-19. Findings –By interpreting the practitioners’ points of view through the lens of the sociological framework by Espeland and Sauder (2007) our findings show different mechanisms of reactivity by companies on the effectiveness of ESG measures in times of COVID-19, i.e. active and passive conformity and active resistance. We also identified the main Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) institutional factors that affect managers’ reactivity. Reasearch limitations/implications - An extensive re-formulation of the ESG metrics is required in the light of times of crisis, given that accountability and transparency are strongly linked to quantitative measures which can play a critical role in the financial system and investors’ engagement. Practical implications: Particularly, the strict distinction between “E”, “S” and “G” issues should be abandoned claiming a different holistic re-design of sustainability measures by considering the relevance of the Social dimension. Originality/Value: This study presents a valuable contribution to the existing literature on the measurement of sustainability within the topic of accountability and crisis by highlighting new corporate needs to re-design the ESG metrics system.