Vol. 8 No. 05 (2026): Volume 08 Issue 05

The integration of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors into corporate strategies has emerged as a critical determinant of firm performance in global financial markets. This study investigates the multidimensional relationship between ESG practices and corporate financial performance among ASEAN firms listed in the Nikkei Asia 300 Index over the period 2018–2022. Drawing on stakeholder theory and corporate governance frameworks, the research employs a structured analytical approach to examine how ESG disclosures influence profitability, market valuation, and financial stability. The findings indicate that ESG integration positively correlates with financial performance, particularly in firms operating within environmentally sensitive sectors, although variations exist across governance structures and disclosure intensities. The study contributes to the growing body of ESG literature by providing region-specific empirical insights and highlights the importance of institutional and regulatory environments in shaping ESG outcomes. Limitations related to data heterogeneity and measurement inconsistencies are acknowledged, with recommendations for future longitudinal and sector-specific studies.

The article examines the strategic management of service enterprises in the post-pandemic economy under the combined influence of digitalization, demand volatility, growing customer expectations, and sustainability requirements. The relevance of the study is associated with the restructuring of consumer behavior: customers increasingly expect remote coordination, transparent pricing, predictable service procedures, ethical communication, and reduced transaction costs when choosing a provider. The scientific novelty of the study lies in the development of a managerial model that transfers observations from emotionally sensitive and institutionally regulated service markets into a broader economic framework of service enterprise adaptation. The paper systematizes post-pandemic changes in service design, digital communication, reputation management, information transparency, resource planning, and sustainable development. The purpose of the study is to substantiate a set of managerial techniques that strengthen the adaptability of service enterprises through digital coordination tools, trust-based marketing, customer journey governance, and sustainability-oriented product decisions. Sector-specific materials on funeral services are used as an illustrative case of a market characterized by high emotional involvement, information asymmetry, ethical constraints, and regulatory pressure. The article has practical value for managers of service enterprises, small and medium-sized businesses, municipal service operators, and researchers of strategic management in the service economy.

Independent brick-and-mortar retailers face increasing pressure to expand into digital channels, yet limited empirical evidence exists on how small and medium-sized retailers prioritize digital transformation compared to larger enterprises. This study examines online strategy, technology adoption, and artificial intelligence (AI) sentiment among independent retailers in North America.

A cross-sectional online survey of 71 items was conducted across thirteen retail verticals, yielding 3,317 responses, of which 1,985 were complete (59.8% completion rate). A focused sub-sample of established independent retailers (EIR) was analyzed separately. EIRs were defined as retailers generating more than USD 500,000 in annual gross transaction volume (GTV), a threshold chosen to identify businesses with sufficient scale to pursue strategic digital investments.

The findings indicate a substantial aspiration gap: 37.5% of EIR respondents currently operate a dedicated e-commerce store while 52.6% identify one as their ideal state, a 15-percentage-point shortfall. Retailers prioritize online channels as an extension of their physical stores, with driving local foot traffic (50.9%) ranking as the most important non-transactional objective. Profitability and margin optimization (35.4%) surpassed new customer acquisition (21.1%) as the principal online focus, reflecting heightened sensitivity to rising supplier costs and regulatory changes.

In terms of technology priorities, social commerce (28.9%) and Buy-Online-Pick-up-In-Store (27.6%) were favored over AI-based tools. Only 12% of respondents reported strong satisfaction with how well their website reflects their in-store brand. AI sentiment remains divided, with concerns centered on data accuracy (58.0%) and privacy (52.6%).

Overall, established independent retailers perceive online presence primarily as a tool for profitability and local traffic generation rather than as a standalone growth channel, favoring revenue-generating technologies over operational AI.

This article analyzes the issues of improving the institutional and economic mechanism for ensuring population employment in Uzbekistan. The study substantiates that employment provision should not be limited only to the creation of new jobs, but should also be based on the interaction of labor market infrastructure, public and private employment institutions, recruitment services, the education system, digital platforms, and regional employment programs. The article analyzes demographic, economic, institutional, educational-professional, regional, and technological factors affecting employment. It also develops proposals for strengthening cooperation between public employment services and private employment agencies, evaluating the effectiveness of employment services based on quality indicators, developing recruitment services, and expanding digital employment platforms.