Mr. Yi Deng | Decision-making and Problem-solving | Best Researcher Award, China
Author Profile
ORCID
🎓 Early Academic Pursuits
Yi Deng’s academic journey reflects a consistent pursuit of excellence and a passion for finance, business, and sustainable development. Her foundational years were shaped at the University of International Business and Economics (UIBE), one of China’s most prestigious institutions for business and finance. There, she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Management, majoring in Information Management and Information Systems, which provided her with a solid grounding in data analysis, information systems, and decision-making tools—skills that would later become crucial in her research on ESG metrics and corporate finance.
Her interest in the complex dynamics of organizations and markets led her to pursue a Master’s degree in Business Administration at UIBE, where she deepened her understanding of business operations, financial markets, and strategic management. This blend of technical knowledge and business acumen set the stage for her entry into academic research at the highest level.
👩💼 Professional Endeavors
Yi Deng is currently a Ph.D. Candidate in Finance at the China School of Banking and Finance, UIBE. Her doctoral studies have enabled her to explore the intersection of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues and corporate finance, aligning her research with some of the most urgent and globally relevant challenges in the business world today.
She has shown a strong commitment to academic rigor and intellectual curiosity, which is evident from her selection of complex and high-impact research topics. Yi is particularly focused on how ESG considerations are reshaping traditional finance theories, such as capital structure, and is exploring how rating disagreements among ESG agencies influence a firm’s dynamic financial strategies.
🔬 Contributions and Research Focus
At the heart of Yi Deng’s research portfolio lies a deep engagement with sustainable investment, capital structure dynamics, and corporate governance. Her research titled “ESG Rating Disagreement and Dynamic Capital Structure Adjustment” delves into the inconsistencies in ESG ratings issued by different agencies and examines how these variations impact firms’ strategic financial decisions.
This work contributes significantly to both academic literature and practical policy discussions. It challenges traditional assumptions in finance by showing how sustainability metrics, when inconsistent, can distort market signals and affect capital allocation efficiency. Her paper has been published in the internationally recognized, peer-reviewed journal, the Pacific-Basin Finance Journal—a noteworthy achievement that underscores the quality and relevance of her research.
Yi Deng’s commitment to empirical precision, combined with a sharp focus on sustainability, positions her among the new generation of finance scholars contributing to the evolution of corporate financial theory in the era of ESG.
🏆 Accolades and Recognition
While still early in her academic career, Yi Deng’s publication in the Pacific-Basin Finance Journal serves as a significant milestone. The journal is known for its rigorous standards and international readership, indicating that her work has met global academic expectations in both methodology and originality.
Although she has not yet accumulated formal accolades, memberships, or editorial appointments, her current achievements as a doctoral candidate already suggest a trajectory marked by excellence and influence. The acceptance and recognition of her research by a top-tier journal speak volumes about her potential and the value of her scholarly contributions.
🌏 Impact and Influence
Yi Deng’s research resonates in academic, financial, and sustainability circles alike. At a time when ESG considerations are increasingly central to investor behavior, regulatory frameworks, and corporate strategy, her work offers valuable insights into the real-world consequences of ESG rating disagreements. It informs not only academics and students but also policymakers and practitioners navigating the evolving landscape of sustainable finance.
By highlighting the potential misalignments caused by conflicting ESG ratings, Yi is helping shape a more transparent, accountable, and effective system for evaluating corporate sustainability. Her findings also contribute to understanding how firms adjust their capital structures in response to external evaluations—a crucial insight for investors, financial managers, and regulators alike.
🌟 Legacy and Future Contributions
As a rising scholar in finance, Yi Deng is poised to leave a lasting imprint on the academic and practical understanding of ESG and corporate finance. Her early work lays a strong foundation for future research that could influence policy reform, investment strategy, and corporate behavior in the context of sustainability. With continued exploration and academic engagement, she is well-positioned to become a thought leader in the field of sustainable investment and ESG integration.
Looking forward, Yi aims to expand her research to include international comparisons of ESG frameworks, the behavioral implications of ESG-related disclosure practices, and the role of regulatory mechanisms in standardizing ESG assessments. Through interdisciplinary collaboration and global engagement, she aspires to contribute to a more informed, responsible, and sustainable global financial system.
📝Notable Publications
ESG Rating Disagreement and Dynamic Capital Structure Adjustment
Author(s): Yifan Yang, Yi Deng
Journal: Pacific-Basin Finance Journal
Year: 2025