Utilizing an advanced machine learning algorithm, particularly the Artificial Neural Network (ANN) framework, this study reveals a significant nonlinear and even cyclical relationship between public concern about environmental issues and the ESG performance of Chinese A-share listed companies, covering the period from 2004 to 2020. The findings highlight the effectiveness of the Self-Organizing Map (SOM)-ANN framework in elucidating the empirical relationship between these variables. We contend that robust public monitoring can enhance companies’ ESG initiatives, and we recommend that policymakers implement a series of measures to safeguard and promote public involvement in decision-making processes. Furthermore, our analysis of the combined effects of public concern and various performance metrics on firms’ ESG outcomes indicates that the diversity among firms is crucial for determining the most appropriate level of public participation in their sustainable development efforts. Therefore, managers and policymakers should focus on firm-specific attributes instead of adopting a “one-size-fits-all” approach to maximize the benefits of public engagement.

The world has fully entered the era of the intangible economy, in which intangible capital serves as the primary driver for achieving sustainable development. This paper employs a nonparametric dynamic distribution approach to analyze the short-term transitional patterns and long-term steady-state trends of intangible capital investment across 30 developed economies, shedding light on pathways for national sustainable development from the perspective of intangible capital. Meanwhile, this paper examines the impact of industrial structure, income structure, and external-demand dependence on intangible capital investment. The results show that (1) intangible capital investment exhibits persistence, and its long-term development shows signs of unconditional convergence; (2) the tertiary industry significantly promotes the development of intangible capital, highlighting the crucial role of industrial structure upgrading in fostering intangible-driven sustainability; (3) the development of intangible capital does not necessarily substitute for human capital or reduce the labor income share; and (4) extremely high reliance on the external market may hinder the growth of intangible capital.