This article assesses the industrial and agrarian potential of Central Asian countries as a foundation for enhancing the competitiveness of their national economies, given the region’s continued dependence on commodity price cycles and its transport-geographic isolation from the world’s major economic centers. The aim of the study is to provide a scientific justification for priority directions in forming integrated production structures capable of ensuring a full production cycle, based on a comprehensive comparative analysis of the industrial-agrarian potential of the five regional countries. The analysis rests on two groups of criteria – structural preconditions (natural resources, infrastructure development, labor availability) and quantitative economic indicators (GDP, industrialization level, exports, economic structure) – with the study organized around Kazakhstan as the regional leader. The scientific and practical significance of the work lies in systematizing accumulated knowledge on regional integration, a topic insufficiently studied in the international literature with respect to the post-Soviet space, and in identifying priority sectors (energy, chemical industry, agro-industrial complex) and specific commodity chains (cotton, grains, fruits and vegetables, dairy products, and others) promising for the formation of integrated structures. The contribution of the study lies in its cross-country comparison grounded in verified official data, with an explicit acknowledgment of analytical limitations (incomplete statistics, divergent national methodologies, and the descriptive-comparative rather than strictly causal nature of the conclusions). The practical value of the findings lies in their applicability to policy recommendations for sectoral ministries, as well as their potential to serve as a foundation for further institutional and investment-focused research.

Today, the digital transformation of the agricultural sector has become a strategic task for ensuring food security. Although Kazakhstan possesses rich resources – 222 million hectares of agricultural land, the share of the industry in GDP does not exceed 4.7–5.1%. Artificial intelligence (AI) technologies can play an important role in bridging this gap. The purpose of the study is to identify the patterns of implementation of artificial intelligence technologies in the agro – industrial complex of Kazakhstan, quantify the impact of artificial intelligence investments on agricultural production and formulate specific practical recommendations for public policy. Scientific significance of the study: for the first time in panel data on districts of Kazakhstan, the coefficient of flexibility of artificial intelligence capital was evaluated. Practical significance: the results can be used directly in developing a strategy for digitalization of the agricultural sector. Methodology: in data identified across 47 districts for 2021–2025, the Cobb-Douglas production function was estimated using a fixed effects model (228 observations, R² = 0.891). Results: the elasticity coefficient of artificial intelligence capital was determined at 0.312 (p < 0.001). Precision farming grew from 45 to 261 thousand hectares, AgriTech investments quadrupled. Insufficient digital infrastructure and shortage of specialists are the main barriers. Practical directions are offered for developers of agricultural policy in Kazakhstan, AgriTech companies and farm owners: a national agrodata platform with an open API, subsidising rural communication infrastructure, a grant programme for small farms.

In the context of globalization and intensifying international competition, developing the export potential of the agro-industrial complex (AIC) of Kazakhstan has become strategically important for sustaining economic growth and ensuring food security. This study assesses the current state and identifies key factors shaping Kazakhstan’s AIC export potential through an analysis of export dynamics and structure over 2021–2024. The research employs statistical, comparative, structural, and factor analysis methods, complemented by a regional contribution assessment methodology to quantify each region’s impact on aggregate export performance. The findings reveal critical trends, including a rising share of processed goods, a declining share of raw commodity exports, and pronounced regional differentiation in export activity. The primary growth drivers are processed products and selected regions (Almaty city, Turkestan Region and Almaty Region) while several regions continue to constrain overall export potential. The scientific novelty lies in a methodological framework for evaluating the contribution of individual regions and product categories to AIC export potential formation. The practical value resides in recommendations for export diversification, processing sector advancement, and enhanced regional export policy. The findings carry direct implications for state policy in AIC export support and regional agro-industrial development. The proposed approach enables policymakers to identify priority investment directions, pinpoint “growth nodes,” and mitigate structural constraints. The results may also provide a methodological foundation for further research into mechanisms that enhance the agricultural sector’s foreign economic activity and performance.

Sustainable rural development is determined by the complex interaction of demographic, social, and economic processes. Despite the growing body of research on rural development, the nature of the relationship between demographic potential and the level of socio-economic development of rural areas remains a subject of debate. The aim of this study is to conduct a comparative assessment of the demographic potential and socio-economic development of rural areas in selected regions of Kazakhstan and to identify the characteristics of their interrelationship. The study is based on official statistical data from the Bureau of National Statistics of the Republic of Kazakhstan for the period 2021–2025. Comparative, statistical, and structural analysis methods, together with a matrix approach, were employed. A comparative assessment of demographic, social, and economic indicators was carried out for the rural areas of the North Kazakhstan, Turkistan, East Kazakhstan, and West Kazakhstan regions. The findings reveal significant interregional disparities in demographic potential and socio-economic development. It was found that a high demographic potential does not necessarily correspond to higher socio-economic performance, while economic growth does not guarantee the preservation and reproduction of the rural population. The scientific novelty of the study lies in substantiating the absence of a direct linear relationship between demographic potential and the socioeconomic development of rural areas. The findings may serve as a basis for developing regionally differentiated public policies aimed at the sustainable development of rural areas.

Amid growing economic uncertainty, companies require flexible tools for forecasting financial results and supporting strategic decisions. Fuzzy cognitive maps enable scenario modeling by analyzing complex causal relationships between key business factors. The purpose of this article is to determine the impact of priority factors on the financial results of companies using scenario modeling through the use of the fuzzy cognitive maps (FCM) method. To achieve this goal, the theoretical aspects of the company’s financial activities and their classification were studied, the study of the operating activities of the company under study through the analysis of policies and factors affecting the dynamics of cash flows, the analysis of the negative impact of active personnel movement on financial results. The expected result is the development of a pragmatic concept based on scenario models to reduce negative factors and improve the company’s financial results. Based on an analytical forecast based on scenario models, the economic effect was determined and the hypothesis of financial recovery of the research object was confirmed. As a working hypothesis, a version was put forward that reducing the influence of key factors identified using the fuzzy cognitive maps method in the FCM program would allow the development of scenario models to improve the company’s financial results through the creation of a motivational lever for a stable contingent of staff and their professional growth.

This article analyzes investment cooperation between Kazakhstan and the European Union. The authors ask whether the investment cooperation model remains traditionally resource-oriented or has shifted to a more diversified structure capable of supporting domestic and international value chains. The research methodology is based on an analysis of statistical data from the National Bank of Kazakhstan on the gross inflow of foreign direct investment (FDI) into Kazakhstan for 2015–2025. Two interrelated concentration indicators are calculated: (1) the Herfindahl– Hirschman Index (HHI), which measures the geographic concentration of EU-27 investments by investor country, and (2) the sectoral HHI, which reflects the concentration of total incoming FDI by Kazakhstan’s main economic activities. To interpret the results, comparisons of periods before and after 2020, structural decomposition, and a qualitative assessment of the importance of individual sectors in developing value chains are used. The results show that investments from the EU-27 countries accounted for approximately 43–52% of annual gross FDI inflows to Kazakhstan throughout the analyzed period, confirming the sustainable nature of the investment partnership. At the same time, the geographic concentration of EU investments by investor country decreased: the average HHI value decreased from 0.502 in 2015–2019 to 0.385 in 2020–2025. The Netherlands’ share of positive EU-27 gross FDI inflows also declined, although it retained its position as the largest registered EU investor. The sectoral concentration of inward FDI across the economy as a whole also decreased: the average HHI value decreased from 0.295 to 0.243. The average share of mining decreased, while the shares of manufacturing, trade, transport, and information and communication increased.

Digital transformation is changing the banking sector through the expansion of digital financial services, the development of remote service channels, and new forms of customer interaction. Under these conditions, inclusive marketing strategies become increasingly important. Such strategies should consider differences in customers’ financial literacy, digital competencies, and ability to understand financial information. The accessibility and clarity of marketing communications influence customer trust in digital banking services. The purpose of this study is to substantiate the role of financial literacy as a mediator of the inclusiveness of banking marketing strategies in the context of digital transformation. The research is based on literature review, comparative analysis, statistical analysis, and a questionnaire survey. The information base includes official data of the National Bank of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Agency for Regulation and Development of the Financial Market, the Bureau of National Statistics, as well as materials of the OECD and the World Bank. The scientific contribution of the study lies in substantiating the mediating role of financial literacy in ensuring the inclusiveness of banking marketing strategies. Based on a survey of 148 customers of second-tier banks in Kazakhstan, an original model was developed. The model reflects the relationship between the inclusiveness of marketing strategies, customers’ financial literacy, and trust in digital banking services. The findings show that financial literacy significantly affects the perception of marketing communications, access to financial information, and trust in digital banking services. Higher levels of financial literacy contribute to more inclusive marketing strategies and improve interaction with different customer groups. The results can be used in the development of banking marketing strategies, financial education programs, and initiatives aimed at strengthening trust in digital financial services.

The past decade has witnessed the active institutionalisation of multilateral “5+1” formats between the Central Asian states and external partners. This trend has been reflected in the growing number of summits, ministerial meetings, and joint declarations, although these political developments have not always been followed by economic implementation of a comparable scale. This article examines the institutional mechanisms and instruments that facilitate the transition from political agreements to the implementation of economic projects within the “5+1” formats involving the United States, China, and the European Union between 2015–2025. Drawing on comparative institutional analysis, content analysis of official documents, and case studies, each format is assessed according to six qualitative criteria: regularity of interaction, permanent coordination bodies, specificity of roadmaps, financial provision, monitoring mechanisms, and project outcomes. Multilateral commitments are consistently distinguished from parallel bilateral agreements. The analysis demonstrates that all three formats demonstrate comparable institutional maturity in terms of high-level engagement and permanent coordination mechanisms. However, they differ substantially in the specificity of roadmaps, the alignment of financial instruments with the multilateral level, and the availability of monitoring arrangements. The European Union format has the most developed roadmap and monitoring architecture, whereas the US and Chinese formats reveal a persistent gap between announced funding volumes and their institutional linkage to multilateral rather than bilateral cooperation. The research’s novelty lies in developing a qualitative, non-aggregated comparative framework connecting institutional architecture with documented project outcomes. Its practical significance concerns its applicability to Central Asian ministries, regional coordination bodies, and development institutions.

Oilseed production in the Republic of Kyrgyzstan is of particular importance in the agricultural sector, ensuring the country’s food security. The main task of oilseed production is to ensure the domestic food market and the raw material base of the processing industry. These crops, after processing, allow the production of vegetable oils that are used in the food, cosmetics and chemical industries. It has been established that the effectiveness of oilseed cultivation depends on the quality of seeds, applied agricultural technologies, the use of fertilizers, irrigation systems and the level of mechanization. The aim of the study is to quantify the dynamics of acreage and yield of oilseeds in the Republic of Kyrgyzstan for 2020–2025 in the regional context, to substantiate targeted recommendations to improve the efficiency of the industry. The study revealed the problems of growing oilseeds in the Republic of Kyrgyzstan. The main ones are dependence on adverse weather conditions, lack of modern technologies, insufficient availability of water resources and lack of investments in the agricultural sector. The productivity and efficiency of enterprises producing oilseeds depend on various factors. In this regard, the article analyzes the dynamics of production volumes, acreage and yield of oilseeds in the whole country and by region. The main research areas include identifying factors affecting the production of oilseeds, comparing regional differences in production performance, assessing opportunities to increase the efficiency of oilseed cultivation through the introduction of new technologies and infrastructure improvements, as well as exploring potential areas to stimulate the sector’s growth, including government support and expansion of export opportunities. Based on the results of the study, ways to solve existing problems in the production of oilseeds in the Republic of Kyrgyzstan are proposed, namely: it is necessary to continue the policy of import substitution, diversify agriculture, increase financing and modernize the industry. The scientific and practical significance of the research lies in the possibility of using its results to improve agricultural policy.

Kazakhstan’s regional innovation policy, including its Smart Specialisation and Quadruple Helix approaches, relies predominantly on static indicators, leaving the separate contributions of technological change and efficiency catch-up to productivity dynamics unexamined. This study decomposes total factor productivity (TFP) change in the innovation systems of Kazakhstan’s regions into efficiency-catch-up and technological-change components using a Malmquist-DEA framework, and identifies the spatial and structural determinants of this change. The research hypothesis is that the average decline in regional innovation productivity over 2014–2024 is driven predominantly by technological regress (a contracting production frontier) rather than efficiency catch-up, and that this process is institutional rather than geographic in nature. The study draws on an official panel from the Bureau of National Statistics of the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2014–2024 across 17 regions (187 observations), combining panel regression, Malmquist-DEA decomposition, spatial autocorrelation analysis, principal component and cluster analysis, and explainable machine learning (Random Forest, gradient boosting, CatBoost with SHAP). Results show that the geometric-mean TFP change between 2014–2016 and 2022–2024 was 0.662, driven predominantly by technological regress (0.543) and partly offset by positive efficiency catch-up (1.219). No significant global spatial autocorrelation of productivity change was detected (Moran’s I = 0.148; p = 0.436), confirming an institutional rather than geographic diffusion mechanism. The findings indicate that Kazakhstan’s Smart Specialisation and GovTech/AI Governance policies should be reoriented toward technological renewal rather than efficiency improvement alone.

The care economy represents a significant area for the country’s development, effective investment in which leads to raising gender equality and the population’s wellbeing. The study aims to identify childcare features and challenges in Kazakhstani rural and urban areas by examining caregivers’ employment, experiences, and needs. The mixed research method included a survey and focus groups conducted in Northern, Central, and Southern urban and rural areas. SPSS was used for econometric modeling, whereas Atlas.ti software was utilised for analysing the interview transcripts and identifying initial categories and codes. The elaborated Logistic regression model identified that caregivers living in urban areas, having children aged 2 to 3 years old, with more adult women in the household, demonstrate a higher probability of seeking employment if quality childcare is available compared to other categories. The results demonstrate a structural and psychological gap between the types of settlements. The research revealed the family’s crucial role in childcare in both urban and rural settlements; however, in villages, it relates to a kin care approach, while in cities, to mostly mothers’ sole care responsibilities, with fathers’ limited involvement. The study uncovered systemic barriers: the shortage of public nurseries, the lack of extended-day groups in schools, and the high cost of quality services. The article substantiates the need to strengthen the care economy and develop policies aimed at recognizing care as a collective responsibility, and not just an invisible maternal burden.

Against the backdrop of rapid global digital technology development, emerging economies universally face challenges such as slow transformation of traditional industries and weak digital foundations, urgently requiring exploration of accelerated digital industrialization pathways suited to their specific conditions. This study aims to systematically identify the key condition combinations and implementation pathways driving the high growth of digital enterprises in emerging economies, exploring tailored accelerated digital industrialization paths for these economies amid traditional industry transformation slowdown and weak digital foundations. Based on the TechnologyOrganization-Environment (TOE) theoretical framework, the study adopts fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA). It uses 2020–2024 financial data of 21 representative leading internet platform companies in emerging economies as observation samples to conduct configurational analysis of factors influencing the high growth of digital firms. The scientific significance of this work lies in breaking through the limitations of traditional single factor analysis, revealing the synergistic driving effects of multi-dimensional factors. Practically, it provides emerging economies with actionable insights for digital industrial policy design. The value of this research is its provision of a novel configurational perspective for digital industry studies in emerging markets, constructing four differentiated high growth pathways: scale driven, R&D supervision driven, lean R&D, and collaborative expansion. The practical implications suggest that no single factor is a necessary condition for high growth; instead, enterprises and policymakers should select tailored development paths based on technological endowments, organizational scale, and environmental characteristics, thereby accelerating digital industrialization in emerging economies.

The article examines the impact of digitalization on the employment structure and the system of professional competencies in the labour market of the Republic of Kazakhstan against the backdrop of global technological transformation. The relevance of the study stems from the accelerated adoption of artificial intelligence, automation and platform technologies, which, according to World Economic Forum estimates, will transform 22% of jobs worldwide by 2030 [1]. The aim of the paper is to identify the key directions of transformation of the occupational structure of the Kazakhstani labour market, to quantify the scale of this transformation, and to determine the priority competencies that ensure workers’ competitiveness. The study relies on a desk-research method: comparative, statistical and ratiobased analysis of data from the Bureau of National Statistics of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, the Labour Resources Development Centre, as well as reports by the World Economic Forum, McKinsey Global Institute, and Scopus/Web of Science-indexed publications for 2015–2025. It is established that over the next 5–10 years Kazakhstan is expected to see the emergence of 239 new occupations (71.6%) across 9 economic sectors and the transformation of 95 existing occupations (28.4%), while up to 40% of workers’ current skills require updating – equivalent to roughly 3.8 million economically active people by 2030. The scientific novelty of the study lies in the systematization of national and global statistical data on occupational transformation and in the authors’ original calculations of average annual growth rates, structural shares and comparative coefficients, forming a quantitative model of the scale of digital labour-market transformation in Kazakhstan. The practical significance of the results lies in their applicability to the design of educational programmes, occupational standards and state employment policy.

The impact of geopolitically driven crisis migration on human capital accumulation and creative economy development in a receiving country remains theoretically underexplored. Following the large-scale influx of technology professionals from Russia to Kazakhstan in 2022, a developing economy became an unintended beneficiary of highly skilled labour. The purpose of the research is to develop an integrative conceptual model tracing the causal pathway from geopolitical push factors through crisis-driven technological migration and human capital accumulation to the growth of creative economy sectors, and to substantiate the model with descriptive statistical evidence. The empirical base comprises annual official data for 2014–2025 on IT services exports, the volume of computer programming and related services, permits issued to Russian citizens, technology park registrations and creative industry entities. Descriptive statistics, growth rates, compound annual growth rates and structural shares are used. IT services exports increased from USD 60.07 million in 2021 to USD 1,142 million in 2025, a compound annual growth rate of 108.8%. The annual growth of domestic IT services output accelerated from 26.6% in 2014–2021 to 43.9% in 2021–2024, and physical volume indices confirm that the growth was real. At the same time the number of temporary residence permits issued to Russian citizens fell by 49.4% over 2022–2025 while sectoral output continued to grow, a pattern consistent with mediation through institutional absorptive capacity. Almaty and Astana account for about 90% of sectoral output. The study extends the brain gain literature to creative economy outcomes and informs retention and regional absorption policy.

The development of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) is a key driver of innovation and national economic competitiveness. Despite women’s growing participation in STEM education and hightechnology sectors, their representation in leadership positions remains limited, indicating persistent barriers to career advancement. This study examines the mechanisms through which institutional, organizational, and individual factors shape women’s career trajectories and advancement to leadership positions in Kazakhstan’s STEM sectors. A mixed-methods design combined semi-structured in-depth interviews with an expert online survey of women working in STEM, enabling comparison of individual professional experiences with broader career patterns. The findings show that women’s advancement depends not only on professional qualifications but also on institutional and organizational conditions and individual career strategies. Key barriers include gender stereotypes, organizational constraints, and limited access to professional networks, strategic projects, and professional trust. Leadership development, in turn, is supported by mentoring, professional motivation, strategic thinking, and participation in professional communities. Rather than merely documenting the gender gap between women’s participation in STEM and their representation in leadership, the study explains how this gap is produced. The proposed conceptual model demonstrates how institutional, organizational, and individual factors interact to shape career trajectories. The findings may inform gender equality policies, organizational human resource practices, and mentoring and leadership development programs in Kazakhstan’s STEM sectors.

In the context of modern globalization, ensuring the socioeconomic development of rural areas is a pressing issue. Agriculture plays a vital role in our country’s economy, but limited sources of income in rural areas due to the small number of enterprises, underdeveloped infrastructure, and intensified migration are becoming increasingly pressing. Therefore, the development of agritourism can become an important tool for diversifying services provided in rural areas and increasing the efficiency of the tourism industry and tourist flow. This article examines the current state of agritourism development in Kazakhstan, its impact on tourism infrastructure and the increase in tourist numbers, as well as the potential for regional socioeconomic development. The objective of the study is to identify factors through a comparative analysis of the current state of agritourism development, production, activity, and product competitiveness, and to propose ways to optimize them. The results demonstrate that effectively organized agritourism contributes to the diversification of the country’s tourism sector, the socioeconomic development of rural areas, and the support of sustainable tourism. This article presents essential recommendations for regional scientific plans and development processes, based on the need for and ways to systematically develop agritourism at a sufficient level, its effectiveness in increasing tourist flow to the regions, and the importance of the necessary infrastructure and investment mechanisms. Studying the significance of agritourism for our country is essential for ensuring sustainable regional development, reviving domestic tourism, and enhancing the competitiveness of combined agritourism activities.

This article examines Kazakhstan’s ethnocultural heritage in relation to economic development and the formation of tourism brand capital. The preservation of cultural and historical values is directly linked to their appropriate use in tourism. National traditions, historical sites, crafts, and local cultural features reflect the country’s distinctive identity and can increase tourist interest. They can also support the development of regional service industries and create opportunities for new tourism products. The study aims to assess the relationship between ethnocultural resources, the tourism economy, investment attractiveness, and tourism brand capital using empirical data. The study involved 40 respondents. The survey data were analysed using descriptive statistics, the Shapiro–Wilk test, factor analysis, Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient, and multiple regression analysis. The responses showed that participants placed a high value on ethnocultural heritage, authenticity, and the attractiveness of the tourism brand. The factor analysis identified three dimensions relating to cultural value, marketing support, and investment potential. The regression analysis revealed positive relationships between the attractiveness of tourism brand capital and ethnocultural value (β=0.42; p=0.001), authenticity (β=0.31; p=0.008), and marketing support (β=0.27; p=0.015). The model explained 61% of the variation in the indicator under consideration (R²=0.61). The findings indicate that ethnocultural heritage has economic potential in addition to its cultural significance. Its appropriate use in tourism development may contribute to regional economic diversification, support entrepreneurial and investment activity, and strengthen the competitive advantages of tourism destinations. Measures intended to preserve cultural heritage should therefore be coordinated with tourism branding strategies and regional economic development plans.

This study examines the relationship between the digital transformation of the hotel industry and the emergence of the organizational identity of a smart hotel. Understanding this correlation is a key factor for successful adaptation to Industry 5.0, which is reshaping the hospitality sector. A systematic review of academic literature was conducted, focusing on the digitalization of the hotel business, the implementation of intelligent technologies, and the impact of these factors on organizational identity and customer experience. This research offers a new perspective on the digitalization of the hospitality industry by considering it not only as a technological process but also as a transformation of organizational identity. Its significance lies in identifying strategic areas of digital modernization in the hotel sector within the context of Industry 5.0 and in developing mechanisms to create sustainable synergy between humans and technology. The novelty of this study lies in its conceptual approach to digital modernization in the hospitality sector. This approach is based on the customer-centric Industry 5.0 model and the development of mechanisms that foster synergy between humans and technology – a key factor in improving service quality and ensuring sustainable industry development. The results show that digital transformation – including service automation, artificial intelligence, and Internet of Things (IoT) solutions – has a significant impact on redefining the role of the hotel, shifting it from a traditional service provider to a personalized, technologically integrated ecosystem. It was also found that a hotel’s organizational identity simultaneously influences the selection and implementation of digital solutions.

The article presents an analysis of the dynamics of the hospitality industry in the Zhetysu region based on official statistical data for 2023–2025. The aim of the study is to assess the impact of regional factors on the sustainability and economic performance of the industry in the context of growing domestic tourist flows. The methodological basis consists of time series analysis, correlation analysis, trend extrapolation, and the formation of a composite development index that combines tourism, infrastructure, and economic indicators. The empirical basis of the study is formed on the data of the National Statistics Bureau of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The results show a steady positive trend in key indicators and a high correlation between tourist flow, the number of bed-days provided and the volume of services rendered, which indicates the demand-oriented and infrastructure-dependent nature of the industry’s development. Forecasts confirm that the upward trend will continue in the short term. The practical significance of the study lies in the possibility of using the conclusions obtained in the development of regional programmes for the development of tourism and the hospitality industry, taking into account the principles of sustainable management.

Intensifying competition between cities for tourism flows, investment, and human capital has increased the strategic importance of place marketing as a tool for strengthening urban competitiveness and supporting sustainable economic development. Within this framework, event marketing is evolving from a primarily advertising activity into a strategic mechanism for destination positioning, territorial branding, generating demand for tourism services, and activating related sectors of the urban economy. The purpose of this study is to examine the role of strategic event marketing in enhancing Almaty’s tourist attractiveness and to develop a conceptual model for its integration into the city’s territorial development system. The methodological framework combines a systematic review of modern academic literature, bibliometric analysis, comparative and structural analysis, and conceptual modeling. The results demonstrate that the economic and marketing effects of events are determined not only by their scale or frequency, but also by the degree of coordination of cultural, sporting, business, and international events within an integrated urban event ecosystem. Based on the identified relationships, the study proposes a conceptual model linking event infrastructure, destination visibility, tourist flows, visitor experience, stakeholder engagement, place branding, and economic outcomes. The proposed approach demonstrates that strategically coordinated event marketing can stimulate demand for tourism services, increase visitor engagement, support local businesses and services, strengthen the city brand, and enhance Almaty’s competitiveness in domestic and international tourism markets. The study contributes to the development of place marketing theory, positioning event marketing as an integral component of long-term urban tourism and economic development.

Amid increasing production complexity and growing uncertainty, effective inventory management has become critical for ensuring the financial sustainability of industrial enterprises. Conventional approaches, largely based on normative calculations and retrospective control, are increasingly inadequate, highlighting the need to integrate management accounting techniques with lean manufacturing tools (Lean). This study develops and empirically substantiates an inventory forecasting and management framework grounded in management accounting data and supported by lean principles and predictive analytics. The empirical analysis is based on data from a machine-building assembly enterprise in the Republic of Kazakhstan for the period 2021–2025. The information base comprises trial balance statements for account 1300 “Inventories” and its sub-accounts, along with cost of goods sold indicators reported in the financial statements. The research includes a comprehensive assessment of inventory dynamics, structure, and flow formation. Particular attention is given to turnover ratios, inventory intensity, imbalances between material inflows and outflows, and time lags between operational scale adjustments and inventory levels. The findings indicate that inventory management practices remain predominantly reactive and are characterized by shifts in inventory control regimes – from the accumulation of work in progress to excessive stockpiling of components and materials. Based on the empirical results, a target inventory level model is proposed. The model defines an optimal inventory range and enables quantitative evaluation of the management gap between actual and target inventory levels. The practical contribution lies in the model’s applicability for bottleneck diagnostics and evidence-based managerial decision-making within the inventory management system of a machine-building assembly enterprise.

The article examines the problems of medical workforce management in the healthcare system of the Republic of Kazakhstan. This issue has remained relevant for many years. Despite government programs and ongoing reforms, the shortage of healthcare professionals persists. The situation varies across regions. Some regions face a greater shortage of specialists, while in others the staffing situation is better. The difference between urban and rural areas is particularly noticeable. Another problem is related to the age of healthcare workers. The number of older physicians is gradually increasing, and in the coming years some of them will need to be replaced by younger specialists. The purpose of the study is to identify the main problems of medical workforce management and propose measures that can be used to address them. The results of the study show that the need for healthcare professionals is not always planned several years in advance. The overall workforce shortage is gradually decreasing, but shortages of certain specialists in the regions still persist. The scientific novelty of the study lies in examining the workforce situation separately across regions and taking into account the need for specific specialists. The overall number of healthcare workers alone is not sufficient for this purpose. It is important to consider which specialists are needed in a particular region, how long vacancies remain unfilled, and why healthcare workers leave their jobs. As a result, workforce decisions can be made based on the actual situation in a particular region rather than only on general indicators for the healthcare system. The practical significance of the study is that the proposed measures can be used by government authorities and healthcare organizations to determine the need for specialists, plan workforce management activities, and develop measures to attract and retain healthcare professionals in the regions.

The article examines the factors influencing the labour adaptation of persons with disabilities and their impact on employment processes based on qualitative analysis and typological grouping of semi-structured interviews. The relevance of the study is determined by the need to improve the effectiveness of the inclusion of persons with disabilities in employment and to overcome existing social and organizational barriers. The aim of the study is to identify, systematize, and typologically group the factors of employment and labour adaptation of persons with disabilities based on the qualitative analysis of semi-structured interviews. In this study, the term “typological grouping” refers to the consolidation of the identified factors into broader meaningful categories based on their substantive similarity and functional role in the process of labour adaptation. This approach does not constitute classical statistical cluster analysis, as it does not involve the application of quantitative clustering algorithms. Its purpose is to systematize qualitative data and develop a typology of labour adaptation factors. The study found that labour adaptation factors can be grouped into broader categories: motivational, social, organizational, and barrier-related factors. Motivational and social factors have the greatest influence, particularly internal motivation to work and support from family members and mentors. Organizational conditions also play a significant role, whereas barrier-related factors are less pronounced. The scientific novelty of the study lies in the systematization of factors and the application of a typological approach to their grouping. The practical significance of the study lies in the possibility of applying the findings to the development of employment programmes and the creation of an inclusive environment.

The article aims to assess Kazakhstan’s potential for developing organic agriculture in Asian markets and to substantiate the role of agricultural cooperatives in organic production. The study examines the socio-economic significance of organic agriculture and compares the area of organic farmland globally and across regions. A dynamic analysis of the areas of organic agricultural lands in Asian countries, including Kazakhstan, has been carried out. A scientific study has been conducted on the development trends of agricultural cooperatives in India and China, major contributors to organic agriculture in Asia. A comparative analysis of key indicators of organic agriculture and agricultural cooperatives in Kazakhstan was conducted, including correlation analysis. The study scientifically substantiates the benefits of establishing cooperatives for organic producers. The findings reveal an uneven relationship between the development of organic agriculture and agricultural cooperative activities in Kazakhstan. However, there is a positive correlation between the number of members of agricultural cooperatives and the amount of organic fertilizers applied per hectare. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen organic production by improving the mechanisms for increasing the number of cooperative members. Under these conditions, organic agricultural cooperatives combine production, organizational and marketing resources and become an effective mechanism for the development of sustainable agriculture and local food production.

This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the development trends of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the agricultural sector of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The study aims to analyse the development trends of SMEs in Kazakhstan’s agricultural sector based on statistical data for 2015–2024, assess their role in the national economy, and identify the main institutional constraints affecting the sector. The study employs economic and statistical, comparative, and structural analysis methods, as well as time-series analysis. The results demonstrate significant growth in the number of agricultural SMEs and their production activity. Between 2015 and 2024, the output produced by SMEs in the agricultural sector increased 3.6-fold, while its share in total agricultural output rose from 39.2% to 57.2%. At the same time, agriculture’s share in the total output produced by SMEs decreased from 8.2% to 5.8%. This change can be attributed to the structural transformation of the economy and the rapid development of the trade and service sectors. The findings also indicate that entrepreneurship in the agricultural sector is characterized by the predominance of the farming model, while entrepreneurs’ own funds constitute the main source of financing. Furthermore, the regional analysis revealed a high concentration of entrepreneurial activity in the southern and southeastern regions of the country. The scientific contribution of the study lies in its comprehensive assessment of SME development in the agricultural sector from structural and institutional perspectives. The practical significance of the study is determined by its recommendations for developing agro-processing infrastructure, diversifying financial instruments, and expanding agricultural cooperation.

This scientific article comprehensively examines the historical stages of formation, evolutionary development, and the contemporary state of state financial support mechanisms designated for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within the Republic of Kazakhstan. In the course of this research, the authors analyze the systematic evolution of entrepreneurship support frameworks, initiating from the critical period of transition to a market economy, while simultaneously providing a rigorous evaluation of the strategic content and operational efficiency of relevant government initiatives. Specifically, the study scrutinizes primary economic instruments such as interest rate subsidies, credit loan guarantees, grant funding, and specialized infrastructure development support. Particular attention is dedicated to the instruments of both direct and indirect financing. These include preferential lending schemes, the subsidization of interest rates, and loan guaranteeing channels facilitated through key national development institutions, most notably the “Damu” Entrepreneurship Development Fund JSC. The practical significance of this research lies in its detailed investigation of the underlying processes that shape state financial assistance for SMEs in Kazakhstan. Furthermore, it delineates the main categories of state programs and support tools, critically assessing their respective advantages and inherent disadvantages. Ultimately, this paper contributes significantly to the academic domain by expanding theoretical and empirical knowledge regarding small and medium business management and the strategic utilization of financial support structures. The findings will enable the broader scientific community, postgraduates, and undergraduate students to acquire a comprehensive understanding of the current paradigm of business financial support and its core structural challenges.

The article is devoted to a comprehensive analysis of the electronic form of money and the digital tenge. The study is conducted in the context of accelerated digitalization of money circulation and transformation of financial institutions. The active introduction of central bank digital currencies (CBDs) is creating new challenges for monetary theory. It also affects the sphere of legal regulation and the institutional structure of the financial system. In these circumstances, there is a need to rethink the economic nature of money. Their classification needs to be clarified. The purpose of the study is to conduct a comparative analysis of the economic essence of electronic money and digital tenge. The features of their emission mechanisms are considered. The regulatory consequences of their implementation are analyzed. The scientific significance of the work consists in clarifying the categorical apparatus of modern monetary theory. Conceptual contradictions in the interpretation of the digital tenge as a new form of national currency have been identified. It is proved that, by its economic nature, the digital tenge largely reproduces the features of non-cash electronic money. The value of the research lies in developing a systematic approach to evaluating digital forms of money. Their legal regime and place in the structure of monetary circulation are determined. The work contributes to the development of the theory of non-cash money circulation. The practical significance of the results is expressed in the formation of recommendations for improving the digital tenge model. The implementation of limited programmability is proposed. The development of offline payment mechanisms is justified.

The predicted infrastructure deficit of US$84 billion in Kazakhstan by 2040 can be substantially mitigated through the execution of public-private partnership (PPP) initiatives and the attraction of investments from alternative sources, such as Islamic finance. Islamic finance has significant potential to bridge this gap but faces institutional barriers to mobilizing it. This study examines the institutional conditions affecting the mobilization of Islamic finance for infrastructure PPPs in Kazakhstan. Directed qualitative content analysis of institutional documents is guided by Douglass North’s distinction between formal rules, informal constraints, and enforcement. The analysis combines legislation, regulatory materials, and published market evidence with two illustrative cases, the BAKAD road and Kokshetau Hospital. The study finds that Kazakhstan’s challenge hindering the effective mobilization of Islamic finance for infrastructure PPPs is not only to expand the existing fragmented regulatory framework for Islamic finance but also to realign formal institutions with deep-rooted social informal norms and regulate enforcement mechanisms. This study makes a unique contribution by examining the mobilization of Islamic finance within PPP frameworks in Kazakhstan, a topic the existing literature typically analyzes separately. Its originality lies in comprehensive institutional analysis, which encompasses both theoretical and practical discussions on informal and enforcement barriers to mobilizing Islamic finance resources that are not obvious.

Target of the article is to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the empirical state of digital transformation in accounting and audit systems, and to identify key patterns of their development, based on the study of financial and accounting indicators of large enterprises in the domestic and global construction sectors. Methods – the study employed vertical and horizontal analyses of financial statements, as well as the cross-comparative analysis method. Results – an empirical analysis of the digital level of accounting was conducted based on the officially audited financial statements of construction industry flagships. The functional features of the companies› technological architecture (ERP, BIM, Big Data) were systematized, and their impact on transactional efficiency (Real-time audit) and the structure of intangible assets was evaluated. The issues of platform asymmetry and low capitalization level of digital products in domestic practice were identified. Conclusions – the authors proposed a three-level evolutionary-architectural model of accounting digitalization for construction entities. The strategic importance of deeper integration of accounting and audit systems with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and blockchain smart contracts, as well as the formation of a unified sector-specific cloud accounting ecosystem to optimize business processes, was substantiated.

Improving logistics operations in the context of digital transformation is of particular importance, and the issue of integrating marketing and logistics becomes especially significant. It is intended for the appropriate labeling of vacancies – the digital economic and operational results of a logistics company specializing in digital marketing tools. In the context of digital transformation, the issue of improving logistics activities and integrating marketing and logistics becomes particularly relevant. The work is intended to determine the economic and operational results of implementing digital marketing tools in the activities of a logistics company using quantitative indicators. The study was divided into two groups: the experimental group used online trackers, email messages, and personalized recommendations, while the control group received services in the traditional format. The results showed that the introduction of digital technologies increased the average check by 25%, the number of orders by 22.3%, and repeat purchases by 30%. The customer satisfaction level increased from 3.9 to 4.6 (p<0.05). The return on investment was 62.9%, and the net economic profit amounted to 2.9 million tenge. Delivery time decreased by 12%, and fuel costs fell by 15%. The scientific novelty of the study lies in the development of an approach to a comprehensive assessment of the impact of digital marketing technologies on the results of logistics activities based on empirical data in a specific production environment. The proposed methodology makes it possible to quantitatively prove the impact of digital marketing tools on operational and financial indicators by combining statistical analysis and calculations of economic efficiency. The practical value of the study lies in providing logistics companies with a clear algorithm and computational mechanisms for measuring the effectiveness of implementing digital marketing tools.

This article creates and validates a Stakeholder Interaction Evaluation Model (SIEM) to evaluate and enhance stakeholder engagement during Agile transformation in a public-sector IT organization. The JSC “National Information Technologies” (NIT), the national operator of Kazakhstan’s e-government infrastructure, is the subject of the empirical case. To conform to the legal and procedural requirements of the public sector, the study presents a context-specific hybrid project management model that combines Agile methodologies with conventional plan-driven components. The study, which was based on a mixed-methods research design, used a two-phase data collection process: a pre-implementation baseline that includes surveys, stakeholder interviews, and documentary analysis, and a post-implementation phase that includes modified surveys, Jira process metrics, and retrospective analyses. Stakeholder groups were divided into three tiers according to operational proximity and strategic influence. The study employs predictive analytics to engagement-related data in addition to qualitative insights. A multiple linear regression model is introduced to forecast the effectiveness of stakeholder engagement based on metrics like sprint success rates, feedback responsiveness, and communication quality. According to the analysis, the hybrid approach enhanced project delivery consistency, role clarity, and communication effectiveness. The predictive model also detects early indicators of declining engagement, such as delayed feedback or reduced sprint completion, enabling proactive adaptation of the stakeholder strategy. The applied value of the study for Kazakhstan lies in the fact that the engagement dataset, the survey and interview instruments, the Jira metric set and the calibrated regression baseline were collected at NIT, the operator that delivers e-government projects for all state bodies, and can therefore be reused as reference values and a monitoring toolkit in similar digital projects of state bodies and quasi-public IT operators. In highly regulated IT environments, the research offers a useful, flexible framework for managing stakeholder dynamics and advancing effective digital transformation projects in the public sector.

Digitalization of higher education in Kazakhstan changes not only the technological environment of universities, but also the economic conditions under which they operate. The growth in the number of students, the expansion of digital educational resources, and the introduction of LMS platforms require an assessment of how these changes affect the use of human, financial, and organizational resources in higher education institutions. For the university sector, such an assessment is particularly important, since digital solutions should be connected not only with infrastructure renewal, but also with measurable managerial and economic outcomes. The purpose of the study is to assess the economic efficiency of digital transformation in the higher education system of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The study examines the development indicators of the university sector for 2020–2025, including changes in student numbers, the number of higher education institutions, academic staff, financial and economic indicators, the spread of LMS platforms, and digital educational resources. For quantitative assessment, a panel dataset was formed for 58 higher education institutions, including 348 observations. The key variables used in the study are the economic efficiency indicator EFF, the digital maturity index DIG, university size SIZE, and financial resources FIN. The scientific significance of the study lies in clarifying the approach to measuring university digital maturity through a set of infrastructural, educational, and managerial components. The value of the work is that digital transformation is considered not only as the introduction of separate technologies, but also as a factor changing the resource returns of universities. The practical significance of the results is related to their possible use in shaping digital development policy in higher education, developing university digitalization strategies, and improving the monitoring system for the efficiency of higher and postgraduate education organizations.

With increasing transparency of business processes and accessibility of information, consumers in the educational sphere are gradually transforming from passive recipients of educational services into active participants in the formation of university corporate policy. This transformation is especially important in the field of sustainable development, where consumer expectations, assessments and behavioral reactions can influence both communication practices and strategic priorities of higher education institutions. The article presents a conceptual model of interaction between consumers of educational services and universities in a virtual environment, aimed at ensuring the effective implementation of sustainable development principles in university business processes. The purpose of the study is to develop and empirically confirm a conceptual model of interaction between consumers and universities in the digital environment that facilitates university adaptation to sustainability requirements. To achieve this purpose, mixed research methods were used, including an expert survey and correlation and regression analysis based on data from 50 Kazakhstani universities. The results demonstrate statistically significant relationships between consumer activity in the virtual environment and indicators of university sustainable development. Particular importance is associated with activity in social networks, participation in online initiatives, information transparency and feedback mechanisms. The findings confirm that informed and active consumers of educational services can play a transformative role in the development of sustainable university strategies. Digitalization increases the speed of communication, expands opportunities for participation and creates additional conditions for integrating consumer expectations into university management.