New research examines how corporate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) programs influence the financial performance of emerging market companies. This research proposes and shows that in emerging markets, social investments have a larger impact on financial performance than governance or environmental initiatives because they help create capabilities that more directly compensate for government failures in the provision of public goods and services needed by firms to operate efficiently. It also shows that government policy nudges enhance the efficacy of such initiatives. Thus, in emerging markets, ESG programs, particularly social initiatives, help improve the quality of life of local communities and companies' bottom lines.