Blockchain benefits and investor trust in ESG disclosure: the mediating role of perceived usefulness

Purpose This study examines how blockchain-enabled technological benefits influence institutional investor trust in ESG disclosure. It focuses on the mediating role of perceived usefulness linking blockchain efficiency, information integrity, and risk avoidance to ESG disclosure trustworthiness, based on signaling theory, trust theory, and the technology acceptance perspective. Design/methodology/approach Survey data from 361 institutional investors were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The model tests direct, mediating, and moderating effects, including ESG knowledge and investment experience. Predictive validity was assessed using PLSpredict. Findings Blockchain technological benefits significantly enhance perceived usefulness, which in turn increases ESG disclosure trustworthiness. Perceived usefulness serves as the key mechanism linking blockchain benefits to investor trust. ESG knowledge strengthens this relationship, whereas investment experience shows no significant moderating effect. The model demonstrates satisfactory predictive performance, as confirmed by PLSpredict results. Research limitations/implications The study is limited by cross-sectional data and a specific institutional investor context. Future research may adopt longitudinal designs and broader samples. Practical implications Organizations should enhance blockchain-based ESG reporting systems by incorporating verifiable data features such as audit trails, time-stamped records, and standardized reporting formats. These design elements can improve the interpretability, comparability, and decision relevance of ESG information, thereby strengthening investor trust. Social implications Blockchain-enabled ESG reporting can reduce information asymmetry and promote responsible investment and corporate accountability. Originality/value This study offers a theory-integrated framework explaining how blockchain benefits influence ESG disclosure trustworthiness through perceived usefulness.