AbstractDate: 2025-06-03
Level: Bachelor thesis in Business Administration, 15 cr
Institution: School of Business, Society and Engineering, Mälardalen University
Authors: Sandra Ristic Dorsa Keshavarzinejad Vy Nguyen Kim Tuong
(03/11/23) (98/09/05) (00/07/19)
Title: Sustainability Claims vs ESG Reality: A Case Study of Volkswagen, Tesla, and BMW
Supervisor: Emre Yildiz
Keywords: ESG ratings, Greenwashing, Automotive, Sustainability Reporting, Stakeholder Theory, Decoupling Theory
Research question: What patterns of (mis)alignment exist between corporate sustainability disclosures and ESG ratings, and how can these be interpreted through decoupling and stakeholder legitimacy lenses?
Purpose: The purpose of this thesis is to examine the (mis)alignment between corporate sustainability disclosures and third-party ESG ratings in the automotive industry, focusing on Volkswagen, Tesla, and BMW from 2021 to 2023.
Method: A qualitative, comparative case study approach is used, applying a framework-focused analysis across the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) pillars. Data sources include corporate sustainability reports, ESG ratings from LSEG, and controversy reports from media news. The analysis is guided by Stakeholder Theory and Decoupling Theory to interpret discrepancies and strategic reporting behaviors.
Conclusion: The findings reveal significant inconsistencies between corporate sustainability claims and ESG evaluations, particularly in the Social and Governance dimensions. While companies often present ambitious goals, ESG ratings suggest that some of these claims are symbolic rather than performance-based. The results indicate that sustainability disclosures are often shaped by reputational risks and stakeholder pressures, leading to partial or misleading portrayals of actual practices.
2025. , p. 43