Does ownership influence ESG disclosure scores?

The present article investigates whether the different ownership structures in the non-finance sector impact the Environmental, Social, and Governance scores (ESG). Panel data regression has been used for analyzing the publicly listed 500 listed companies on National Stock Exchange (NSE), India, excluding the banking and financial services sector from 2015 to 2020. The variables used are size, age, leverage, cost of debt, number of independent directors, number of women on board, market capitalization, interest coverage ratio, Government Ownership, and Private Ownership. Results reflected that government ownership had a positive and significant impact on the ESG scores of the companies, whereas there is an insignificant relationship with privately-owned companies. The study will be helpful for academicians to gain insight into the relationship between ownership structures and ESG scores. [Display omitted] •Panel data regression has been used for analyzing the publicly listed 500 listed companies on National Stock Exchange, India, excluding the banking and financial services sector from 2015 to 2020.•The variables used are size, age, leverage, cost of debt, Government Ownership, and Private Ownership.•Results reflected that government ownership had a positive and significant impact on the ESG scores of the companies, whereas there is an insignificant relationship with privately-owned companies.