Abstract

Drawing on the upper echelon theory, this paper explores the relationship between CEO ability and ESG responsibility fulfillment. Based on this, it further explores the mediating role of organizational resilience and the moderating role of environmental uncertainty. Using data from Chinese A-share-listed manufacturing companies from 2010 to 2020, we find that CEO ability promotes ESG responsibility fulfillment, and organizational resilience mediates this relationship. Furthermore, the promotion effect of CEO ability on ESG responsibility fulfillment through organizational resilience is stronger under high environmental uncertainty. Additionally, the influence of CEO ability on ESG responsibility fulfillment is more pronounced in non-state-owned enterprises and low environmental sensitivity industries. Our study opens the “black box” of the mechanism between CEO ability and ESG responsibility fulfillment and provides practical implications for organizations, managers, and policymakers to promote ESG responsibility fulfillment.