Eurasian Journal of Economic and Business Studies

Evaluating Healthcare Accessibility in Kazakhstan: Urban and Rural Perspectives

Assem Kibayeva — 2024-09-30

This study conducts a comprehensive analysis of regional disparities in demographic and educational indicators in Kazakhstan from 2009 to 2022. Despite the existing literature, which often fails to account for current socio-economic dynamics and regional specificities, this research aims to fill the gap by integrating multiple dimensions -demographic trends, employment rates, and educational attainment -into a holistic assessment. Utilizing a detailed heatmap and correlation matrix, the study identifies key trends and disparities, offering a nuanced understanding of the socio-economic landscape. The findings reveal significant regional differences in birth rates, migration balances, employment trends, and educational outcomes, underscoring the need for targeted policies to address these disparities. Recommendations include investing in healthcare and living conditions to sustain positive demographic trends, enhancing educational infrastructure to improve human capital, and promoting formal employment to reduce economic inequalities. By aggregating these critical indicators, the research provides valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders to formulate strategies aimed at fostering sustainable socio-economic development across Kazakhstan's regions. The study also highlights the importance of continuous monitoring and adaptation of strategies to effectively address dynamic socio-economic factors.

The Role of Digital Technologies in Promoting Gender Equality in Kazakhstan

Yeldar Mubarakov — 2024-09-30

The dynamics of digital technologies affect the economy and society, opening up new opportunities and prospects for promoting gender equality in the workplace. The aim of this paper is to explore the role of digital technologies in promoting gender equality, assess their impact on various aspects of women's lives, and identify the main challenges and prospects associated with their use. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, including secondary data analysis, surveys, and case studies, to assess the impact of digitalization on women's employment and professional development. Special attention is paid to comparing the results of countries in international rankings, which allows us to identify the most successful practices and general trends. Despite the measures taken by Kazakhstan to ensure gender equality in areas such as digitalization and the successes achieved, it is still being revealed that there are many inequalities in the labor market of Kazakhstan. Surveys conducted among 174 respondents (59.7% women) revealed that 55.7% believe digital technologies can reduce gender discrimination in the labor market, and 56.3% recognize the contribution of digital labor to gender equality. Findings suggest that digital platforms enhance women's participation in the labor market, offering flexible work arrangements and professional growth opportunities. However, barriers such as limited access to digital education and persistent gender stereotypes still hinder women's full participation in the digital economy. The paper concludes with recommendations for policymakers to develop gender-focused digital strategies to ensure equitable access to digital resources and opportunities.

Path to Green Economy: Analyzing Innovation, Investment and Taxation in Kazakhstan

Raushan Yesbergen — 2024-09-30

The concept of a green economy has gained significant attention, aiming to achieve sustainable development without environmental harm. This study examines Kazakhstan's transition to a green economy, focusing on indicators such as green innovation, investment in environmental protection, and green taxes. Despite Kazakhstan's commitment to a carbon-neutral economy by 2060, significant challenges were identified. The methodology involved three steps: descriptive analysis of green economy indicators for 2016–2022, correlation analysis to identify significant relationships, and trend forecasting for 2023–2025 using a linear regression model. This approach provided a thorough examination of the green economy's current state and future projections. Over the study period, the number of organizations engaged in environmental innovation and their activity levels have decreased. Investments in environmental protection showed initial growth, but declined in recent years. Conversely, there has been an increase in environmental taxes, reflecting the government’s focus on tax instruments to promote sustainable development. Correlation analysis revealed complex interdependencies, indicating that higher investments and taxes are often associated with lower levels of green innovation activity. Projections for 2023-2025 suggest a further decline in green innovation indicators unless significant policy measures are taken. The study underscores the need for a balanced approach that encourages green innovation while maintaining robust investment and tax bases.

Assessing the Impact of New Silk Road Initiatives on Kazakhstan's Business Environment

Assel Jumasseitova — 2024-09-30

This study conducts a comprehensive evaluation of four major regional economic integration initiatives along the New Silk Road in Eurasia: The Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), the Silk Road Economic Belt (SREB), the New Silk Road (NSR), and the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) program. By employing an expert-based analysis method, the research assesses the initiatives from the perspective of the Kazakhstani business environment, identifying critical criteria for successful economic integration, including intra-union trade, market expansion, supply chain optimization, regulatory harmonization, and access to financing. Drawing parallels with the historical Silk Road's focus on trade and economic prosperity, this research employs an expert-based analysis method to assess these modern initiatives from the perspective of the Kazakhstani business environment. Through structured expert panel assessments and statistical analysis, the study determines which initiatives offer the most tangible benefits to businesses in Kazakhstan and the broader region. The findings indicate that the SREB initiative scored highest overall, particularly in fostering regional economic development and business growth, with a total score of 197, followed by the EAEU with 181. The findings reveal that the SREB initiative scored highest overall, followed by the EAEU, indicating their strong potential for fostering regional economic development and business growth. This study provides valuable insights for policymakers and businesses navigating the complex landscape of Eurasian economic integration. It offers a framework for evaluating the effectiveness of new Silk Road initiatives in promoting regional prosperity and cooperation, with particular relevance to Kazakhstan's position in Central Asia.

The Impact of Urbanization on Air Quality in Largest Сities of Kazakhstan

Assel Bekbossinova — 2024-09-30

In the context of the rapid growth of urbanization and industrialization of Kazakhstan, the air pollution problem in large cities is becoming increasingly urgent. It is essential to assess the impact of economic growth on the environmental situation, as this allows us to develop strategies to improve air quality and ensure sustainable development. Thus, this study examines the impact of urbanization and economic growth on air pollution across four major cities in Kazakhstan from 2016 to 2022. Statistical methods were used to analyze the relationship between pollution levels and economic indicators, including gross regional product (GRP) and industrialization. The study covers the period from 2016 to 2022 and is based on data on concentrations of critical pollutants collected from the National Bureau of Statistics of the Republic of Kazakhstan. National monitoring sources collected air quality data, including PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NO2, and CO concentrations. Statistical analyses, as correlation and regression models, were applied to establish relationships between pollution levels and economic growth indicators. The study found significant correlations between economic activities and air pollution levels. In Almaty, a 10% increase in GRP corresponds to a 5% increase in pollutant concentrations. Almaty experienced the highest average PM2.5 concentration at 42 µg/m³, exceeding permissible norms by 20%. Other cities showed varied levels of pollution influenced by specific economic and industrial profiles. The results underscore the pressing need for effective urban management and strategic policy-making to mitigate the adverse effects of economic development on air quality.

The Impact of Blockchain Technology on Logistics and Foreign Trade Turnover in Kazakhstan

Aruna Bekmetova — 2024-09-30

The purpose of this study is to analyze the impact of logistical factors on Kazakhstan's foreign trade turnover for the period from 2013 to 2023, with a particular focus on cargo transportation volumes, freight turnover, container traffic, and transit transport volumes. The research employs a comprehensive and robust methodology that includes data collection, regression analysis, and model refinement to ensure the validity and reliability of the results. The regression analysis initially included all collected variables, but the model was refined to address multicollinearity and retain statistically significant predictors. The model initially included all variables, but was later refined to address multicollinearity, retaining only statistically significant predictors. The results of the analysis showed that the volume of transit transport is a significant factor affecting the foreign trade turnover of Kazakhstan. The model demonstrated a positive and statistically significant coefficient for the volume of transit transport (0.004534, p-value = 0.025962), which confirms the hypothesis of its crucial role. Additionally, the potential integration of blockchain technology in logistics processes is explored, suggesting that such advancements could enhance transparency, efficiency, and reliability in managing transit goods. By adopting a comprehensive approach that examines multiple logistics factors simultaneously and leveraging a long-term dataset, this research offers novel insights into the logistics-trade relationship in Kazakhstan.

Gender Disparities in Kazakhstan’s Labor Market: Evidence from the Quality Employment

Laura Kuanova — 2024-09-30

Gender disparities in the labor market have remained a critical area of economic research, particularly in understanding how men and women experience different employment conditions. This study aims to assess the quality of employment for men and women, focusing on the multidimensional quality of jobs, including formal and informal employment, unemployment, and access to highly qualified professions. The research employs a standardized approach using Z-scores to analyze deviations from average labor market indicators across genders, enabling a comparative evaluation of employment trends over the past decade. Data were drawn from national labor force statistics, covering a wide range of indicators such as labor force participation, employment rates, unemployment, and sectoral distribution. The results of the study show significant gender differences. The average level of the involvement of women in the labor force during the study period was 64.96%, while for men this figure reached 76.38%. The employment rate among women was 4.5% lower on average compared to men, and for women in informal employment, it was 20.16% versus 20.76% for men. Women also showed a higher unemployment rate: 5.71% versus 4.36% for men. The study also highlights the impact of external economic shocks, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, on labor market dynamics, exacerbating gender disparities. Future research should focus on developing policies that reduce informal employment and increase job stability for women. Further study of the long-term effects of global economic crises on gender differences in the quality of employment is also necessary to develop effective measures.

Modernization of the Motivation Systems in Higher Education: Challenges and Digital Solutions

Marat Urdabayev — 2024-09-30

The motivation of academic staff in higher education institutions has become a critical issue, particularly in the context of rapid digital transformation. Faculty motivation is a crucial factor influencing the quality of education, research productivity, and the performance of universities. This study aimed to identify the main factors influencing motivation and to develop recommendations for educational institutions to enhance staff motivation. The research utilized bibliometric analysis through the VOSviewer program to explore relationships between core motivational factors. Initial data were collected via the ePORTAL system, which aggregates comprehensive information about faculty activities, including publications, participation in scientific projects, and teaching performance. The findings suggest that the current motivational systems in Kazakhstan's higher education institutions require significant modernization. Key challenges include insufficient financial support, excessive bureaucratic procedures, and limited career development opportunities. Moreover, adopting digital tools like ePORTAL can enhance the transparency and objectivity of assessing teaching staff performance, providing more substantial incentives for professional growth. The study offers recommendations for university management of educational institutions to increase academic staff motivation that can be adapted to each educational institution's unique profile and priorities. Future research should investigate the long-term effects of digitalization on teaching quality and explore how motivation strategies can be fine-tuned to address regional and institutional disparities. Such efforts will ensure faculty development aligns with national and international educational standards, ultimately enhancing the competitiveness and effectiveness of universities in a global context.

The Role of Energy Intensity and Investment in Reducing Emissions in Türkiye

Aizhan Baimukhamedova — 2024-09-30

Addressing the challenge of rising carbon dioxide (CO2) and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is a critical priority in global efforts to combat climate change. The primary aim is to assess the relationship between energy intensity, private investments in energy, renewable energy consumption, export-related factors, and their influence on CO2 and GHG emissions in Turkey. The study employs a multi-level approach using correlation and regression analyses to explore the impact of the selected variables. A Bayesian correlation analysis was conducted to evaluate the strength of relationships between variables, and a regression model was used to test the significance of each factor. Data were gathered from official sources on energy intensity, renewable energy consumption, private investments in energy, and export-related variables in Turkey from 2007 to 2022. The study employed the JASP statistical software. The analysis showed that energy intensity and private energy investments are the most significant predictors of CO2 and GHG emissions. Energy intensity exhibited a strong negative correlation with CO2 emissions per capita (r = -0.717, BF₁₀ = 10.456) and GHG emissions (r = -0.802, BF₁₀ = 44.224), highlighting the critical role of energy efficiency in reducing emissions. Renewable energy consumption also played a role, though its influence was less pronounced than energy efficiency and investment. Based on the findings, it is recommended that policymakers prioritize energy efficiency improvements and create incentives for private investment in renewable energy technologies. Future studies should focus on sector-specific energy efficiency improvements and policy frameworks to enhance private sector engagement in clean energy initiatives.

Analysis of the Level of Agricultural Development in Kazakhstan: Identifying Agro-Hubs

Alexander Tsoy — 2024-09-30

The study examines Kazakhstan's agricultural sector and its potential for developing resilient agro-hubs, focusing on identifying regions that can contribute to the country's long-term agricultural growth. The purpose of this study is to examine essential agricultural indicators, including gross agrarian output, gross crop production, gross livestock production, and agricultural services, in order to identify regions with the potential for agro-hub development. The methodology includes Pearson correlation analysis of data collected from national agricultural reports and regional statistical databases. Data for the study were gathered from national agricultural reports and regional statistical databases, which provide quantitative measures of agricultural output, crop yields, livestock production, and farming services. Results indicate the strongest correlations between Kostanay and North Kazakhstan (0.995 for Gross Agricultural Output and 0.996 for Crop Production, p < 0.001). Additionally, significant alignment in crop production was observed between Almaty and South Kazakhstan (0.969, p = 0.007), whereas weaknesses in agricultural services were noted, particularly in Kyzylorda and Zhambyl, with a negative correlation. The results highlight the northern and southern regions' potential for forming agro-hubs supported by solid production indicators. The study provides strategic recommendations for policymakers to foster regional collaboration, enhance productivity, and promote sustainable agricultural development across Kazakhstan. Future research will focus on improving infrastructure and developing collaborative agricultural initiatives within agro-hubs to strengthen Kazakhstan's agricultural sector resilience.