Relationship between Financial and ESG Performance on the Publicly traded Technology Companies. Special focus: IT Hardware Manufacturing Companies and their Risks along the Supply Chain.

Abstract

Abstract Purpose: The purpose of the research is to examine the correlation between financial and ESG (environmental, social and governance) performance on the publicly traded information technology hardware manufacturing companies, and the risk they are exposed to along their supply chain (i.e. the extent in which they report the risk in their annual reports (10K) and specific reports).

Literature Review: The theories used in this study were based on existing literature and research conducted by past scholars and publishers who wrote about IT hardware manufacturers supply chain risk, sustainability and ESG (environment, social and governance) issues in IT. It was later possible to identify the study gap and develop research questions based on the literature perused.

Methodology: An inductive research methodology was used to investigate the correlation between financial and ESG performance on the publicly traded information technology hardware manufacturing companies, and also educate on their supply chain risk. Primary data was gathered through the SEC website (the 10K report of the individual companies), and specific reports (such as the sustainability, environment social and governance etc) pertinent to the study were collected on the companies websites, and pivot tables was used to analyze the data in order to gain more understanding of the research topic, that helped in identifying key areas of discussion.

Empirical Findings: The empirical results were generated from using pivot tables to analyze the fifteen (15) IT hardware manufacturing companies. The results were discussed in connection to the literature while answering the research questions and fulfilling the purpose of this research. The results indicated that there will be no technology or IT companies without these important minerals, metals, and resources. The results showed that there is a global worry/focus on the mining and usage of these resources, and IT companies are taking positive steps with regards to sustainable practices concerning these resources in order to protect ourselves and our environment.