Ariyo Oluwabunmi The Role of Digital Literacy in Accelerating ESG Adoption in Emerging Economies

Unofficial AI-generated summary based on the public title and abstract. Not an official translation.

🔬研究者:Provides a conceptual framework linking digital literacy to ESG adoption, useful for further empirical studies.

🏢実務担当者:Highlights the need to invest in digital training for stakeholders in emerging market operations to improve ESG reporting quality.

🏛政策担当者:Suggests that digital literacy programs should be integrated into national ESG strategies to ensure inclusive sustainability.

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles have become a central framework for evaluating corporate sustainability, ethical responsibility, and long term value creation in both developed and emerging markets. However, despite increasing global attention and institutional pressure, ESG adoption remains uneven, with emerging economies experiencing slower and less consistent implementation. This paper explores the role of digital literacy as a critical but often under explored factor influencing the pace and quality of ESG adoption. It argues that beyond regulatory frameworks, policy mandates, and corporate incentives, the ability of key stakeholders including employees, consumers, investors, and regulators to effectively access, interpret, and utilize digital tools and platforms significantly shapes ESG awareness, reporting quality, and implementation outcomes. The paper further examines how digital literacy enhances ESG integration by improving transparency in corporate reporting systems, enabling real time access to sustainability related data, and facilitating more informed decision making among stakeholders. It also highlights how digital competencies support the adoption of emerging technologies such as data analytic, block chain, and cloud based reporting systems, which are increasingly used in ESG monitoring and disclosure. In doing so, digital literacy acts as an enabler of accountability and trust within sustainability ecosystems. However, the study also identifies significant structural barriers that hinder ESG progress in emerging economies. These include persistent digital inequality, inadequate technological infrastructure, and low levels of digital proficiency across both corporate and public sectors. Such challenges limit the effective utilization of ESG tools and reduce the inclusiveness of sustainability initiatives. Finally, the paper proposes that improving digital literacy through targeted education, capacity building programs, and supportive policy interventions can significantly accelerate ESG adoption. It emphasizes that bridging the digital literacy gap is essential not only for enhancing ESG reporting and compliance but also for ensuring equitable participation in the global sustainability agenda within emerging markets.

• openaire https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.6633659first seen 2026-06-11 05:10:12 · last seen 2026-06-16 04:36:12