The MERGE operation in COBOL is utilized to merge duplicate entries in a sorted file. It is often used in conjunction with the SORT operation to arrange records and then merge duplicates based on specified criteria, effectively eliminating redundant information.

The COMPUTE statement in COBOL is used for performing calculations and data manipulation. It allows the programmer to define complex arithmetic expressions to update variables.

When processing variable-length records in COBOL, it's crucial to handle the "RECORD LENGTH MISMATCH" condition to prevent unexpected behavior. This condition occurs when the actual length of a record read from a file does not match the expected length specified by the program. Proper handling of this condition ensures data integrity and prevents program errors.

For reading and updating specific records in a VSAM file, Keyed Sequential Organization is preferred. It allows efficient direct access to records based on a key, enabling faster retrieval and updates compared to other file organizations.

In COBOL, "scope" refers to the region of the program where a variable can be referenced. It defines where the variable is visible and can be used, helping to avoid naming conflicts in different parts of the program.

Implementing nested records is a common approach to model hierarchical data structures in COBOL. Each record level represents a different level of the hierarchy, providing a clear and organized structure.

In Object-Oriented COBOL, an object is an instance of a class. A class defines a blueprint or template for objects, and an object is a concrete realization of that blueprint, encapsulating both data and behavior associated with the class.

Handling exceptions related to network connectivity issues can be done by using the COBOL ON EXCEPTION clause. This allows you to specify actions to take when a particular exception occurs, such as handling network-related errors gracefully in the context of interacting with external web services.

Employing a combination of shared and exclusive locks strategically is the preferred approach. Shared locks allow multiple users to read the file simultaneously, while exclusive locks ensure exclusive access for write operations, minimizing conflicts and ensuring data integrity in a multi-user environment.

In COBOL, the ON EXCEPTION condition handler is specifically designed for handling unexpected runtime errors, such as divide-by-zero or overflow errors. In contrast, the WHEN condition handler is used for handling logical conditions in the program.