Speaker
Description
Over the past decade, ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) disclosure has emerged as a critical area of investigation, stimulated by the growing threats of climate change. Several studies have proposed digitization and advances in Financial Technology (Fintech) as potential levers for improving the quality of ESG Disclosure. Despite the growing literature, the barriers, challenges, and emerging risks associated with implementing these new technologies remain largely overlooked. Hence, hindering decision-making processes that support their adoption.
Most previous research has focused on the positive effects of technology integration in the context of sustainability, with a fragmented analysis, often concentrating on a few digital tools at the expense of others. This study aims to systematically review existing literature on the applicability, opportunities, and challenges of using Financial Technologies to enhance ESG reporting by answering the central dilemma: how can Financial Technologies improve the Quality and Credibility of ESG Reporting, even if they still inspire doubts? Thus, providing a practical roadmap to identify the most relevant technologies, depending on each company’s risk exposure.
Methodologically, this study follows the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. The systematic review was carried out in SCOPUS, as a unique online research database. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 45 research articles were selected for full analysis. The analysis focused on studies published between 2019 and 2025 and considered only qualitative and quantitative empirical research papers.
The results reveal major thematic clusters, including Intelligent and Analytical Technologies for Reporting Quality, Digital Infrastructures for ESG Credibility, and the Emergence of New ESG Communication Channels. These themes are interpreted in the light of Stakeholder Theory, Agency Theory, and Dynamic Capabilities View Theory, providing insight into both the logic of responding to stakeholders' informational expectations, the reduction of conflicts of interest, and the strategic integration of Fintech as a driver of organizational adaptation.
The results also highlight that in most studies, digitization is treated in a general way, without focusing on its specific interaction with finance or on the dynamics specific to Financial Technological Innovations. Furthermore, few studies explore the mediating or moderating effects that could influence the relationship between Fintech and ESG Disclosure. Most existing research emphasizes listed companies, to the detriment of SMEs, unlisted companies, or other organizational structures, which may nonetheless present different ESG practices and technological dynamics. Finally, although emerging concepts such as Industry 6.0 are beginning to be evoked, they remain largely theoretical and are little operationalized in current empirical studies.
