Corporate Green Responsibility and <scp>ESG</scp> Performance: The Mediating Role of Green Trust and the Moderating Role of <scp>AI</scp> Capability

ABSTRACT Against the backdrop of global corporate “twin transformation” of digitalization and green development, the heterogeneous conversion effect of corporate green responsibility (CGR) on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance has become a core theoretical and practical puzzle, while the socio‐psychological mechanism and digital contingency boundary of this conversion process remain under‐explored in existing research. This study investigates the impact of CGR on ESG performance, incorporating the mediating role of Green Trust and the moderating role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) capability. Drawing on Signaling Theory and the Dynamic Capabilities View, we constructed a moderated mediation model and tested it using stratified random sampling survey data from 518 Chinese enterprises, with empirical analysis conducted through confirmatory factor analysis, hierarchical regression analysis, and Bootstrap moderated mediation tests. The empirical results indicate that CGR has a significant positive effect on ESG performance. Green Trust partially mediates the relationship between CGR and ESG performance, suggesting that CGR enhances performance by building stakeholder trust. Furthermore, AI capability positively moderates the relationship between Green Trust and ESG performance; specifically, higher AI capability strengthens the conversion of trust into performance. This study contributes to the literature by uncovering the socio‐psychological “black box” mechanism of CGR‐ESG conversion and highlighting the critical catalytic role of digital capabilities in green management. The findings offer systematic practical insights for managers, policymakers, and market participants to integrate digital and green strategies for sustainable development.