Journal Markcount Finance

ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL, AND GOVERNANCE (ESG) REPORTING: ENHANCING TRANSPARENCY IN SUSTAINABLE FINANCE

2026-02-09T07:55:11+07:00

The growing emphasis on sustainability within global financial markets has elevated Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting as a central mechanism for enhancing transparency and accountability in sustainable finance. Investors, regulators, and other stakeholders increasingly rely on ESG disclosures to evaluate non-financial risks, long-term value creation, and corporate responsibility. This study aims to analyze the role of ESG reporting in improving transparency and its implications for sustainable finance practices. The research adopts a qualitative analytical approach based on a systematic review of peer-reviewed academic literature, international reporting standards, regulatory frameworks, and secondary data from sustainability reports and financial institutions. The findings indicate that high-quality ESG reporting enhances information transparency, reduces information asymmetry, and strengthens investor confidence by enabling more accurate assessment of corporate sustainability performance. Consistent and standardized ESG disclosures are associated with improved capital allocation efficiency, lower perceived risk, and stronger stakeholder trust. The study also finds that fragmented reporting standards and inconsistent disclosure practices remain significant barriers to the full effectiveness of ESG reporting. The study concludes that ESG reporting is a critical instrument for advancing sustainable finance, provided it is supported by harmonized standards, robust governance mechanisms, and credible verification processes.

ESG INVESTING: IMPACT ON CORPORATE BEHAVIOR AND FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

2026-02-09T07:47:09+07:00

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investing has gained substantial prominence as investors increasingly integrate non-financial criteria into capital allocation decisions. This shift reflects growing concerns about climate change, social responsibility, and corporate governance failures, alongside the belief that ESG-oriented firms may exhibit superior long-term performance. Despite widespread adoption, debate persists regarding the extent to which ESG investing influences corporate behavior and whether it delivers measurable financial benefits. This study aims to examine the impact of ESG investing on corporate behavior and financial performance, focusing on how ESG pressures shape strategic decision-making, risk management, and operational practices, as well as their implications for firm profitability and market valuation. The research seeks to clarify whether ESG integration functions primarily as a value-creation mechanism or as a reputational and compliance-driven strategy. The study employs a qualitative analytical approach based on secondary data, including peer-reviewed journal articles, corporate sustainability reports, financial performance indicators, and global ESG rating databases. The findings indicate that ESG investing encourages greater transparency, improved governance practices, and more sustainable operational strategies. The study concludes that ESG investing acts as a catalyst for responsible corporate behavior while offering potential financial advantages when supported by credible metrics, regulatory clarity, and strategic integration.

GREEN FINTECH: THE ROLE OF TECHNOLOGY IN PROMOTING SUSTAINABILITY IN FINANCIAL MARKETS

2026-02-09T07:59:21+07:00

The rapid expansion of financial technology has reshaped financial markets, creating new opportunities to address sustainability challenges through innovative digital solutions. Green fintech has emerged as a critical intersection between technology, finance, and sustainability, enabling more efficient allocation of capital toward environmentally and socially responsible activities. This study aims to examine the role of green fintech in promoting sustainability within financial markets and to assess how technological innovations contribute to environmental, social, and governance objectives. The research employs a qualitative–quantitative mixed approach, combining a systematic review of recent academic literature with secondary data analysis of green fintech applications, including digital payments, sustainable investment platforms, and climate-risk analytics. The findings indicate that green fintech enhances market transparency, improves access to sustainable finance, and supports better risk assessment related to environmental impacts. Technological tools such as big data analytics, artificial intelligence, and blockchain are shown to strengthen sustainability integration by reducing information asymmetry and transaction costs. The study also reveals that regulatory support and institutional readiness significantly influence the effectiveness of green fintech initiatives. In conclusion, green fintech plays a strategic role in accelerating the transition toward sustainable financial markets by aligning technological innovation with sustainability goals. However, coordinated regulatory frameworks and cross-sector collaboration are essential to maximize its long-term impact and scalability.

CIRCULAR ECONOMY AND ITS POTENTIAL TO REDEFINE SUSTAINABLE INVESTMENT PRACTICES

2026-02-09T07:51:21+07:00

The circular economy has gained increasing prominence as a transformative framework aimed at decoupling economic growth from resource depletion and environmental degradation. In response to mounting sustainability challenges, investors and policymakers are exploring circular economy principles as a foundation for reshaping sustainable investment practices. This study aims to analyze the potential of the circular economy to redefine sustainable investment practices by examining how circular strategies affect capital allocation, risk management, and corporate value propositions. The research seeks to clarify whether circular economy adoption functions as a driver of financial performance, environmental impact, and systemic resilience within investment portfolios. The study employs a qualitative analytical research design based on secondary data, including peer-reviewed academic literature, sustainability reports, investment frameworks, and policy documents related to circular economy implementation. The findings indicate that circular economy practices encourage longer-term investment horizons, enhance resource efficiency, and support innovation-driven value creation. The study concludes that the circular economy holds substantial potential to redefine sustainable investment practices by integrating economic, environmental, and governance considerations, while requiring supportive policy frameworks and standardized impact metrics to realize its full investment potential.

THE ROLE OF ETHNOECOLOGY IN SUPPORTING A GREEN ECONOMY

2026-02-03T20:58:05+07:00

Ethnoecology is understood as a study that positions the relationship between local communities and the natural environment as a whole built through traditional knowledge, value systems, and ecological practices passed down across generations. This study aims to examine in depth the contribution of ethnoecology to supporting the implementation of a green economy, particularly through optimizing local wisdom in sustainable natural resource management. The research approach applied is qualitative, using literature review and case study methods, through a systematic review of scientific articles, policy documents, and relevant previous research findings. The research findings indicate that ethnoecological practices play a significant role in maintaining environmental sustainability, increasing the sustainability of natural resource utilization, and strengthening the economic base of local communities. Local knowledge rooted in ecological experience has been shown to encourage more environmentally friendly economic practices, reduce the rate of resource exploitation, and open up opportunities for economic development based on local potential. The analysis and discussion indicate that mainstreaming ethnoecology within a green economy policy framework can strengthen sustainable development efforts that are participatory and equitable. Therefore, this study concludes that ethnoecology is a strategic element that needs to be comprehensively integrated into the planning and implementation of development policies to support the success of a green economy.

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (CSR) AND ESG INTEGRATION: INVESTOR PERCEPTIONS AND OUTCOMES

2026-02-09T07:42:04+07:00

The increasing emphasis on sustainability in global financial markets has intensified the integration of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles into investment decision-making. Investors are no longer focused solely on financial returns but increasingly consider non-financial performance as an indicator of long-term value, risk management, and corporate resilience. This study aims to examine investor perceptions of CSR and ESG integration and to analyze how these perceptions influence investment outcomes and corporate performance. The research adopts a qualitative-analytical design based on a systematic review of peer-reviewed journal articles, institutional reports, and secondary financial data related to ESG investing and responsible investment practices. The findings indicate that strong CSR engagement and effective ESG integration positively shape investor confidence, enhance corporate reputation, and are associated with improved financial performance and lower perceived risk. The study concludes that CSR and ESG integration function not merely as ethical considerations but as strategic financial factors that influence investor behavior and market outcomes. Effective alignment between corporate responsibility initiatives and ESG frameworks is therefore essential for firms seeking sustainable competitive advantage and long-term investor support in an increasingly sustainability-oriented investment landscape.

DIGITAL-BASED HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT TRANSFORMATION IN ENHANCING EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE AND ENGAGEMENT IN THE ERA OF FLEXIBLE WORK

2026-02-15T20:21:44+07:00

Digital transformation in human resource management (HRM) has become a strategic issue alongside the expansion of flexible work arrangements and the growing performance demands placed on public sector organizations. This shift requires organizations not merely to adopt technology for administrative purposes, but also to ensure that HRM digitalization contributes sustainably to employee productivity and job satisfaction. This study aims to examine the effect of digital HRM transformation on employee work productivity and job satisfaction, as well as to explain the underlying mechanisms of this relationship through the lenses of the Ability–Motivation–Opportunity (AMO) framework and Self-Determination Theory (SDT). The study employed a quantitative approach using a survey design. The research sample consisted of 98 employees from public service institutions in East Java, selected through quota random sampling to ensure adequate representation across work units. Data were collected using a five-point Likert-scale questionnaire and analyzed the results indicate that digital HRM transformation is perceived at a high level and has a positive and significant effect on both employee productivity and job satisfaction. These findings suggest that HRM digitalization strengthens employees’ abilities and work opportunities while simultaneously fulfilling basic psychological needs, namely autonomy, competence, and relatedness. The study concludes that strategically designed digital HRM transformation plays a critical role in enhancing employee performance and engagement, particularly within the context of flexible work arrangements in the public sector.