Information quality, human and environmental capital: comparative effects on financial performance in the energy sector of developed and developing countries

Purpose This study aims to examine the human capital and environmental and informational factors impact on financial performance in a sample of 169 multinational companies in the energy sector between 2016 and 2022. Design/methodology/approach This study uses random-effects generalized least squares estimation with year and industry-fixed effects to analyses the determinants of the Gross Profit Margin. Findings The findings of this study confirm that internal factors such as human resource management, compliance with best environmental practices and high-quality financial reporting are critical value and financial success drivers in the energy sector. Moreover, the results of this study indicate that institutional differences between developed and developing countries remain substantial, with the financial impact of environmental performance being notably weaker in emerging economies. Practical implications Managers should prioritize investments in employee development, adopt sustainable practices and ensure high-quality financial and non-financial reporting to achieve long-term profitability. Policymakers, investors and other stakeholders should also recognize the value of these practices in promoting sustainable growth and resilience in an increasingly complex and scrutinized industry. Originality/value This study uniquely integrates human capital, environmental capital and information quality into a single analytical model and thereby capturing their synergistic and conflicting interactions. Moreover, this study uses a global and large multinational data set, offering robust, generalizable insights across diverse institutional and cultural contexts, unlike prior work with narrower, often single-country scopes. This study also differentiates results between developed and emerging markets, enhancing its practical relevance.