We conducted a nationwide field experiment with 4,800+ Chinese-listed companies, randomly raising ESG concerns to their management teams via high-visibility and high-stakes online platforms. Tracking the full impact-generating process, we find that companies respond to our
concerns by providing high-quality answers, publishing ESG reports, and making commitments to investors. Over time, Environmental (E)
inquiries boost stock valuations, while Governance (G) concerns prompt skepticism. Productive and opaque firms are more likely to
respond, consistent with a signaling model where costly ESG actions signal firm quality under information asymmetry. Overall, ESG actions
are likely driven by profit-oriented signaling rather than values-based motives.
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