Doctoral project

Title: Managing ESG Activities in Commercial Banks of Uzbekistan

Banking system of Uzbekistan plays immense role in capital allocations and economic stability of the region which means that improvement of their governance, transparency and social responsibility, in long run, is viewed as competitive advantage in attracting investment, reduction of capitals costs at the same time maintain trust of stakeholders. In this context, the topic of dissertation captures the challenges and obstacles faced by financial institutions of the region in integrating Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practices into their operations, strategies as well as reporting frameworks.

Current research examines the mechanisms, practices, and challenges of ESG implementation in Uzbekistan’s commercial banking sector, with a focus on governance quality as a driver of operational efficiency, funding cost optimization, and risk perception among investors and depositors. The study takes a comparative approach, drawing on ESG adoption patterns in both emerging and developed banking sectors, while emphasizing the specific institutional and regulatory features that set Uzbekistan apart.

Through a combination of quantitative analysis and qualitative assessment of policy frameworks, corporate disclosures, and regulatory guidance, the dissertation evaluates the extent to which Uzbek banks have embraced ESG as a tool for sustainable value creation. By employing System Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) estimation, the study addresses potential endogeneity in the ESG – performance relationship, producing robust insights into how ESG pillars – particularly governance affect cost of capital, profitability, and long-term financial stability.

The findings will contribute to both academic and policy debates by clarifying the role of governance within ESG as more than a reputational instrument, framing it instead as a tangible determinant of efficiency, resilience, and access to capital in the banking sector. The results are expected to inform the strategies of bank executives, guide regulators in shaping ESG-related disclosure and compliance requirements, and offer comparative insights for other emerging economies undergoing similar financial sector transformations.

Publications

1. Abdullaeva, S. (2022). Islamic financial market. ISJ Theoretical & Applied Science, 09 (113), 145-148. 
   
   
2. Abdullaeva, S. (2024). O’zbekiston Banklardagi Korporativ Ijtimoiy Ma’suliyatni Rivojlanishi va Kelajagi. Eurasian Journal Of Law, Finance And Applied Sciences, Volume 4 Issue 1, January 2024, 158-162.
   
   
3. Абдуллаева С. Корпоративная Социальная Ответственность и ее Важность в Бизнес-Практике. Сборник статей XVII международной научно-практической конференции: СОВРЕМЕННЫЕ ИННОВАЦИОННЫЕ ТЕХНОЛОГИИ И ПРОБЛЕМЫ УСТОЙЧИВОГО РАЗВИТИЯ В УСЛОВИЯХ ЦИФРОВОЙ ЭКОНОМИКИ
   
   
4. Abdullaeva S., Islam M.U., Khattak M. A., Abduraupov R., (2025). Does ESG Impact Banks’ Profitability and Cost of Capital? Evidence from Middle Eastern Banks. International Journal of Economics and Finance (IJEFS) (in the process of publishing)
   
   
5. Qin, C., Hassan, H.H.B., Hussain, Z. & Abdullaeva, S., 2025. Green supply chain practices, supply chain environment cooperation, and organisational culture’s impact on firm performance: A mediating moderating analysis. The International Journal of Construction Supply Chain Management (IJCSCM), in the process of publishing.

Conference participations, scientific talks

1. Sadikova Aziza, Prabha Kiran, Abdullaeva Sanemkhan. Advertisement’s Role in Understanding the Materialistic Behavior of Children in this Era. Proceedings: The Great Silk Road Conference: Opportunities and/or Challenges for the Development of Eurasia. 5 July 2023, Tashkent. WIUT