Increasingly, nations are engaging in smart city development projects. Smart city development aims to build urban areas with a wholesome quality of life with modern infrastructure capabilities (e.g., economic opportunities, cultural richness, and demographic-geographical balance), technological benefits (e.g., healthcare, education, government) and sustainability goals (e.g., clean, green, safe, and secure environments). This requires huge investments of resources and participation of diverse stakeholders, whose goals are often ambiguous and conflicting. It is not unusual that many of these projects are delayed because of a lack of consensus, which further adds unnecessary social costs and a waste of time and efforts. In this sense, determining strategic priorities for smart city development is crucial for achieving a set of integrative purposes in terms of resource allocation and social benefits goals. This paper aims to determine strategic priorities by examining multiple cases of smart city projects in Korea, Europe, and the U.S. A hierarchical strategic framework, which shows the vision, core values and strategic goals, is developed and proposed from the case studies. Lessons and practical implications are discussed for future study.

Increasingly, firms are expected to implement ESG (Environment, Social, and Governance) mandates to appeal to the global market. However, this requires overcoming practical challenges and capitalizing on emerging opportunities. This paper conducts an in-depth analysis of the ESG practices of leading Korean global firms. The study selects five firms for case studies representing industries such as electronics, automotive, steelmaking, and chemicals. It examines ESG reports, performance indicators, and corporate disclosures of these firms. The analysis reveals the adoption of industry-specific ESG strategies, highlighting how these firms tailor their approaches to address unique industry challenges while aligning with global sustainability trends. Key findings include a strong emphasis on innovative solutions to ESG challenges, the integration of ESG into core business operations, and a balanced approach to economic, social, and environmental responsibilities. This study contributes to a broader understanding of how ESG practices are implemented in various industrial contexts, particularly in the dynamic and evolving landscape of Korean global businesses. It offers valuable insights and benchmarks for global companies, underlining the importance of contextualized and industry-specific ESG strategies in achieving sustainable and ethical business practices