Competency Mapping for Industry 4.0: An Empirical Study of Kazakhstan’s Entrepreneurial Sector

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47703/ejebs.v69i3.528

Keywords:

Human Capital, Knowledge Economy, Industry 4.0, Digital Transformation, Innovative Economy, Competence Map, Business Development

Abstract

Amid rapid digitalization and the ongoing transformation of the economy, the need to revise approaches to the assessment and development of human capital is growing. This study aims to develop an empirically grounded competency map to support strategic human capital management in Kazakhstan’s entrepreneurial sector. The research employed a cross-sectional survey of 368 enterprises, selected through proportional stratified sampling to reflect the official structure of small, medium, and large businesses. The data was collected using an online questionnaire that included 12 key competencies: cognitive, soft, digital, environmental, and technological skills. Primary data processing employed indexing and tabular aggregation methods, while the analysis involved descriptive statistics, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and clustering techniques, implemented using Jamovi software. The results show that basic cognitive and soft competencies such as adaptability (59.9%) and environmental thinking (65.9%) are most common in all types of enterprises, while advanced digital and technological skills, including working with robotic systems (33.4%) and artificial intelligence (38.0%), remain underdeveloped., especially in the SME sector. ANOVA revealed statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) for 11 of the 12 competencies in terms of enterprise size, with large companies demonstrating a higher level of digital and technological skills. The findings formed the basis for the development of a visualized radar map reflecting the integrated competency profile by enterprise size. The results presented contribute to the formation of evidence-based strategies for the development of human capital under conditions of industrial and digital transformation.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

Assel Sadenova, D.Serikbayev East Kazakhstan Technical University» NJSC, Ust-Kamenogorsk, Kazakhstan

M. Sc. (Econ.), Senior Lecturer, Email: assadenova@edu.ektu.kz

 

Saltanat Suieubayeva, D. Serikbayev East Kazakhstan Technical University, Ust-Kamenogorsk, Kazakhstan.

Cand. Sc. (Econ.), Associate Professor, Email: ssuieubaeva@edu.ektu.kz

 

Marina Kozlova, D. Serikbayev East Kazakhstan Technical University, Ust-Kamenogorsk, Kazakhstan. 

Cand. Sc. (Econ.), Associate Professor, Email: mkozlova@edu.ektu.kz

 

Jolanta Słoniec, Lublin University of Technology, Department of Enterprise Organization, Lublin, Poland.

PhD. Dr. Sc., professor, Email: j.sloniec@pollub.pl

 

References

Abbritti, M., & Consolo, A. (2024). Labour market skills, endogenous productivity and business cycles. European Economic Review, 170, 104873. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euroecorev.2024.104873

Akhavan, M., Alivirdi, M., Jamalpour, A., Kheradranjbar, M., Mafi, A., Jamalpour, R., & Ravanshadnia, M. (2025). Impact of Industry 5.0 on the Construction Industry (Construction 5.0): Systematic Literature Review and Bibliometric Analysis. Buildings, 15(9), 1491. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15091491

Alhloul, A., & Kiss, E. (2022). Industry 4.0 as a Challenge for the Skills and Competencies of the Labor Force: A Bibliometric Review and a Survey. Sci, 4(3), 34. https://doi.org/10.3390/SCI4030034

Andersson, J., & Molinder, J. (2025). Did cities increase skills during industrialization? Evidence from rural-urban migration. Journal of Urban Economics, 148, 103772. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jue.2025.103772

Badie, F., & Rostomyan, A. (2025). Competency Mapping as a Knowledge Driver in Modern Organisations. Knowledge, 5(3), 13. https://doi.org/10.3390/knowledge5030013

Bottasso, A., Bratti, M., Cardullo, G., Conti, M., & Sulis, G. (2025). Labor market regulations and firm adjustments in skill demand. Journal of Public Economics, 242, 105292. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpubeco.2024.105292

Bratić, M., Marić Stanković, A., Pavlović, D., Pivac, T., Kovačić, S., Surla, T., Čerović, S., & Zlatanov, S. (2025). New Era of Tourism: Innovative Transformation Through Industry 4.0 and Sustainability. Sustainability (Switzerland), 17(9), 1–22. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17093841

Bureau of National Statistics. (2024). Bureau of National Statistics of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Retrieved May 30, 2025 from https://stat.gov.kz/en

Buyukyazici, D., & Quatraro, F. (2025). The skill requirements of the circular economy. Ecological Economics, 232, 108559. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2025.108559

Caroline, A., Coun, M. J. H., Gunawan, A., & Stoffers, J. (2024). A systematic literature review on digital literacy, employability, and innovative work behavior: emphasizing the contextual approaches in HRM research. Frontiers in Psychology, 15,1448555. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1448555

Chahuán-Jiménez, K., Lara-Yergues, E., Garrido-Araya, D., Salum-Alvarado, E., Hurtado-Arenas, P., & Rubilar-Torrealba, R. (2025). Cluster analysis of digital competencies among professors in higher education. Frontiers in Education, 10, 1499856. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2025.1499856

Ciucu-Durnoi, A. N., Delcea, C., Stănescu, A., Teodorescu, C. A., & Vargas, V. M. (2024). Beyond Industry 4.0: Tracing the Path to Industry 5.0 through Bibliometric Analysis. Sustainability (Switzerland), 16(12), 1–26. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16125251

Daly, M., Groes, F., & Jensen, M. F. (2025). Skill demand versus skill use: Comparing job posts with individual skill use on the job. Labour Economics, 92, 102661. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.labeco.2024.102661

Donaldson, C., Signes, Á. P., & Villagrasa, J. (2025). Is the road to high growth paved with intrapreneurial intention? The role of entrepreneurial self-efficacy and digital skills on entrepreneurship intention types. The International Journal of Management Education, 23(2), 101174. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijme.2025.101174

Emad, G. R., Meadow, G., & Shahbakhsh, M. (2024). Human-Technology Coexistence in the Industry 4.0: The Role of Advanced Simulation Technology in Training. Proceedings of the International Conference on Maritime Autonomy and Remote Navigation 2023 (EPiC Series in Technology, 2, 16-19. https://doi.org/10.29007/2ktn

Farias-Gaytan, S., Aguaded, I., & Ramirez-Montoya, M. S. (2023). Digital transformation and digital literacy in the context of complexity within higher education institutions: a systematic literature review. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 10, 386. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-023-01875-9

Fernández-Luque, A. M., Ramírez-Montoya, M. S., & Cordón-García, J. A. (2021). Training in digital competencies for health professionals: Systematic mapping (2015-2019). Profesional de La Informacion, 30(2), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.3145/epi.2021.mar.13

Flores, E., Xu, X., & Lu, Y. (2020). Human Capital 4.0: a workforce competence typology for Industry 4.0. Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, 31(4), 687–703. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMTM-08-2019-0309

Garcia-Lazaro, A., Mendez-Astudillo, J., Lattanzio, S., Larkin, C., & Newnes, L. (2025). The digital skill premium: Evidence from job vacancy data. Economics Letters, 250, 112294. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.econlet.2025.112294

Hartanti, I. Y., Irawan, D., & Juanda, A. (2024). The Role of Intellectual Capital and Core Competencies in Building Competitive Advantage in Higher Education. Jurnal Ilmiah Akuntansi, 9(2), 478–496. https://doi.org/10.23887/jia.v9i2.81827

Hecklau, F., Galeitzke, M., Flachs, S., & Kohl, H. (2016). Holistic Approach for Human Resource Management in Industry 4.0. Procedia CIRP, 54, 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PROCIR.2016.05.102

Hensvik, L., & Skans, O. N. (2023). The skill-specific impact of past and projected occupational decline. Labour Economics, 81, 102326. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.labeco.2023.102326

Ikenga, G. U., & van der Sijde, P. (2024). Twenty-First Century Competencies; about Competencies for Industry 5.0 and the Opportunities for Emerging Economies. Sustainability (Switzerland), 16(16), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16167166

Imjai, N., Chansamran, S., Sungthong, S., Usman, B., & Aujirapongpan, S. (2025). Developing employability digital competencies of Thai Gen Z business students: The role and matter of digital learning environments and digital adaptation skills. The International Journal of Management Education, 23(3), 101219. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijme.2025.101219

Jiangmei, S., & Ghasemy, M. (2025). A holistic bibliometric review of teachers’ ICT competence research in higher education. Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education. https://doi.org/10.1108/JARHE-06-2024-0311

Kartikasari, R., Suyoso, A. L. A., & Agustina, T. S. (2025). Literature Review of Transformational Leadership: A Study of Effective Leadership Strategy. Golden Ratio of Human Resource Management, 5(1), 169–176. https://doi.org/10.52970/grhrm.v5i1.744

Kaur, J., Madaan, G., Qazi, S., & Bhalla, P. (2023). An Explorative Factor Analysis of Competency Mapping for IT Professionals. Administrative Sciences, 13(4), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci13040098

Kawaguchi, D., & Toriyabe, T. (2022). Measurements of skill and skill-use using PIAAC. Labour Economics, 78, 102197. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.labeco.2022.102197

Kowal, B., Włodarz, D., Brzychczy, E., & Klepka, A. (2022). Analysis of Employees’ Competencies in the Context of Industry 4.0. Energies, 15(19), 7142. https://doi.org/10.3390/en15197142

Kumar, P., Pillai, R., Kumar, N., & Tabash, M. I. (2023). The interplay of skills, digital financial literacy, capability, and autonomy in financial decision making and well-being. Borsa Istanbul Review, 23(1), 169–183. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bir.2022.09.012

Kusumastuti, A., & Nuryani, A. (2020). Digital Literacy Levels in ASEAN (Comparative Study on ASEAN Countries). Proceedings of the 13th International Interdisciplinary Studies Seminar, Malang, Indonesia. https://doi.org/10.4108/eai.23-10-2019.2293047

Mach, L., & Ebersberger, B. (2024). Competences for a Great, Big, and Beautiful Tomorrow? Sustainability Competences Within Innovation Dedicated Further Education. In Innovation in Responsible Management Education (pp. 27–62). Emerald Publishing Limited. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-83549-464-620241004

Mäkelä, E., & Stephany, F. (2025). Complement or Substitute? How AI Increases the Demand for Human Skills. ArXiv. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.5153230

Marlapudi, K., & Lenka, U. (2024). Unlocking the potential: redefining talent and competency mapping for Industry 4.0. Management Research Review, 47(11), 1805–1832. https://doi.org/10.1108/MRR-07-2023-0496

Nugroho, D. A. (2025). Strategy of Human Resource Development in the Shipping and Logistics Sector to Face Industrial Era 4.0. Enrichment: Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Development, 2(12), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.55324/enrichment.v2i12.325

Ogden, K., Kilpatrick, S., Elmer, S., & Rooney, K. (2021). Attributes and generic competencies required of doctors: findings from a participatory concept mapping study. BMC Health Services Research, 21(1), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-021-06519-9

Pelaez-Sanchez, I. C., Glasserman-Morales, L. D., & Rocha-Feregrino, G. (2024). Exploring digital competencies in higher education: design and validation of instruments for the era of Industry 5.0. Frontiers in Education, 9, 1415800. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2024.1415800

Picinin, C. T., Pedroso, B., Arnold, M., Klafke, R. V., & Pinto, G. M. C. (2023). A Review of the Literature about Sustainability in the Work of the Future: An Overview of Industry 4.0 and Human Resources. Sustainability (Switzerland), 15(16), 1–21. https://doi.org/10.3390/su151612564

Reis, D. A., Fleury, A. L., & Carvalho, M. M. (2021). Consolidating core entrepreneurial competences: toward a meta-competence framework. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, 27(1), 179–204. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEBR-02-2020-0079

Romero, M. (2024). Lifelong learning challenges in the era of artificial intelligence: a computational thinking perspective. ArXiv. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2405.19837

Rouwendal, H. J., & Koster, S. (2025). Does it take extra skills to work in a large city? Regional Science and Urban Economics, 112, 104094. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.regsciurbeco.2025.104094

Russo, G., Manzari, A., Cuozzo, B., Lardo, A., & Vicentini, F. (2023). Learning and knowledge transfer by humans and digital platforms: which tools best support the decision-making process? Journal of Knowledge Management, 27(11), 310–329. https://doi.org/10.1108/JKM-07-2022-0597

Ruwanika, E. Q. F., & Massyn, L. (2024). A leadership competence framework for sustainable development in the manufacturing industry in a developing country context: the bicycle metaphor. Cogent Business & Management, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2024.2364849

Saeedikiya, M., Salunke, S., & Kowalkiewicz, M. (2024). Toward a dynamic capability perspective of digital transformation in SMEs: A study of the mobility sector. Journal of Cleaner Production, 439, 140718. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2024.140718

Slavic, D., Marjanovic, U., Medic, N., Simeunovic, N., & Rakic, S. (2024). The Evaluation of Industry 5.0 Concepts: Social Network Analysis Approach. Applied Sciences (Switzerland), 14(3), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.3390/app14031291

Usabiaga, C., Núñez, F., Arendt, L., Gałecka-Burdziak, E., & Pater, R. (2022). Skill requirements and labour polarisation: An association analysis based on Polish online job offers. Economic Modelling, 115, 105963. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.econmod.2022.105963

Vaszkun, B., & Mihalkov Szakács, K. (2025). Looking for student success factors outside of the educators’ scope: The effect of digital literacy, personal skills, and learning habits and conditions on self-evaluated online learning effectiveness in management education. The International Journal of Management Education, 23(2), 101188. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijme.2025.101188

Venn, R., Perez, P., & Vandenbussche, V. (2022). Competencies of Sustainability Professionals: An Empirical Study on Key Competencies for Sustainability. Sustainability (Switzerland), 14(9), 1–22. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14094916

WEF. (2025). The future of jobs report 2025. World Economic Forum. Retrieved May 30, 2025, from https://www.weforum.org/reports/the-future-of-jobs-report-2025

How to Cite

Sadenova, A., Suieubayeva, S., Kozlova, M., & Słoniec, J. (2025). Competency Mapping for Industry 4.0: An Empirical Study of Kazakhstan’s Entrepreneurial Sector. Eurasian Journal of Economic and Business Studies, 69(3), 18–34. https://doi.org/10.47703/ejebs.v69i3.528

Downloads

Published

2025-09-30