Research on S-Dimension ESG Disclosure of White Goods Enterprises from the Perspective of Social Responsibility Decoupling: Multi-case Evidence from Midea, Haier Smart Home and Gree Electric

Abstract

Existing research on ESG misrepresentation has focused largely on environmental greenwashing, whereas false disclosure in the social (S) dimension, which covers employee rights, public welfare, philanthropy, and supply chain human rights, remains inadequately discussed. This form of false disclosure, termed S-dimension ESG washing, is highly concealed because it primarily relies on subjective textual narratives. Three leading A-share listed companies in the white goods industry—Midea Group, Haier Smart Home, and Gree Electric Appliances—are selected as a multi-case sample. A comparative framework is constructed to contrast textual statements in corporate reports with evidence of actual business operations. Five typical manifestations of S-dimension washing are identified, and a dual driving mechanism composed of external institutional pressures and internal governance deficiencies is systematically analyzed. The findings reveal that five types of disclosure decoupling—selective disclosure, vague language, publicity-driven philanthropy, labor information embellishment, and rhetorical supply chain commitments—are present to varying degrees. Under homogeneous external pressures, differences in internal governance patterns determine the specific manifestation of washing strategies; notably, the more concealed the cultural narrative underlying the washing, the less hard evidence can be captured publicly. Ultimately, this study provides a valuable reference for regulators to refine S-dimension disclosure rules, for third-party rating agencies to optimize evaluation indicators, and for listed companies to standardize social responsibility reporting practices. Furthermore, it highlights the urgent need for enhanced transparency mechanisms to mitigate symbolic corporate behaviors.