Abstract

This study investigates how biostatistical analysis enhances corporate legitimacy through credible Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) data reporting, stakeholder trust, and corporate reputation. It proposes and empirically tests a sequential framework grounded in Legitimacy Theory to explain the strategic role of analytical capability in strengthening organizational legitimacy. A quantitative cross-sectional research design was employed using a structured questionnaire comprising previously validated measurement scales. The measurement model was assessed through reliability, convergent validity, discriminant validity, and multicollinearity tests, while the structural model was evaluated using bootstrapping. The results reveal that biostatistical analysis significantly improves ESG data reporting, which subsequently enhances stakeholder trust. Stakeholder trust positively influences both corporate reputation and corporate legitimacy, while corporate reputation further strengthens corporate legitimacy. In addition, corporate reputation significantly mediates the relationship between stakeholder trust and corporate legitimacy, supporting the proposed sequential framework. This study is among the first to integrate biostatistical analysis, ESG data reporting, stakeholder trust, corporate reputation, and corporate legitimacy into a single theoretical framework. The findings extend Legitimacy Theory by demonstrating how analytical capability serves as a strategic organizational resource that improves the credibility of ESG reporting and ultimately reinforces long-term corporate legitimacy.