The purpose of the research – to study examines the effects of top management compensation, management diversity and government ownership on financial performance among Kazakhstani listed firms.
Methodology. Drawing on a sample of 156 firm year observations, the study employs the generalized method of momentum (GMM) to examine the relationship.
Originality / value. The study contributes to existing literature, aiming at corporate governance practices by aligning top management compensation with performance of listed firms in Kazakhstan, as well as examining the effects of management diversity and government ownership. The study also has practical implications in terms of reconsideration of top management remuneration policies by creating stronger tie of executive compensation and performance-based measures. In addition, the study highlights that increasing management diversity could enchase firm performance in context of Kazakhstan. At the end, the study could be of interest to policymakers and academia through stimulation of compensation disclosure requirements for firms, thereby increasing the transparency of corporate governance practices.
Findings. The findings reveal positive but not statistically significant relationship among compensation and accounting-based measures of performance i.e. return on assets (ROA) and return on equity (ROE). However, presence of foreign national in management has significant positive impact on firm performance as measured by ROA. On the other hand, government ownership has insignificant negative impact on firm performance. The study also employed firm level and country level control variables and found mixed results. The findings reveal significant negative effects of firm size, inflation, and leverage on ROA, while positive effect of gross domestic product (GDP) on firm performance.

The purposes of the study are to analyze the impact of valuation of financial statements elements, identify the positive and negative aspects of the current approach to the valuation of assets and liabilities, show the consequences of the principle of a permanent enterprise in a market economy.
Methodology. The research was conducted on the basis of an abstract-logical approach. The methodological basis is a system analysis.
Originality / value of research. The article takes into account the existing approach to the valuation of assets and liabilities in the accounting and financial reporting system. The author defines the impact of capitalization of expenses in current assets on the indicators of valuation.
Findings. The choice of certain concepts also depends on the users' goals. If the user intends to achieve pragmatic goals, then the property valuation is based on an economic approach. If the user is pursuing semantic goals, it is recommended to apply the legal concept of evaluation. The accounting concept of valuation corresponds to the syntactic whole of reporting and allows for the cost measurement of a reliable financial result of an enterprise.

The purpose of the research is to study and development of procedural stages of the scenario approach algorithm in the implementation of a model for assessing the effectiveness of investment projects in the context of the dynamics of the digital economy on the basis of ongoing simulation experiments.
Methodology. The research methodology is based on the methods of systemic and complex analysis, economic and statistical methods of information processing, correlation and regression analysis and modeling.
Assessment of domestic and foreign research, statistical data of materials and publications.
Originality / value of research. A scenario approach to assessing the effectiveness of an investment project in the digital economy has been investigated according to the developed algorithm for conducting a simulation experiment. Calculations of complex indicators of the efficiency of an investment project for various scenarios have been performed.
Findings. An algorithm for the scenario approach has been developed and simulation experiments have been carried out to model the effectiveness of methods for evaluating investment projects in the context of the dynamics of the development of factors of the digital economy. On the basis of the study, recommendations were developed for improving the mechanisms of investment support for sectoral sectors of the economy.

Purpose of research – development of the theoretical and methodological foundations of a system for assessing land plots that are leased on terms of short-term and long-term use in the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Methodology – In order to improve methodological approaches to the assessment of leased land in the Republic of Kazakhstan, a detailed analysis of property rights (the right to use, possession and disposal) to land plots that are both in temporary use and in private ownership has been carried out.
Originality / value of the research – The concepts related to the assessment of leased land plots have been differentiated, the land market in the Republic of Kazakhstan, in particular in the Karaganda region, has been analyzed. The concepts of "rent", "market value" have been studied in detail. The international and national valuation standards of Kazakhstan, the Law "On appraisal activities" of July 13, 2018, the Land Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan of June 20, 2003 No. 442-II, as well as the Resolution of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan of September 2, 2003 No. 890 have been investigated and studied ... In addition, the assessment methods used were considered and justified in detail, a site in the Karaganda region was selected and the market value was calculated.
Findings. In conclusion, recommendations are given for the assessment of such sites. Before evaluating a plot, establish and delineate the concepts associated with a plot of land and property rights; have a correct understanding of the relevant legal framework that affects the assessed rights; identify any improvements made by tenants and clarify whether they should be taken into account when renewing or renegotiating a lease and deciding whether they could result in a claim for compensation from the tenant when he vacates the property; refer to International Standards, as well as the standard "Valuation of Intellectual Property and Intangible Assets"; apply the option method as part of the income approach.

Purpose – the aim of the study was to study the methodology and assess the level of accessibility of financial services according to indicators of international organizations.
Methodology – the research is based on IMF's "Research of access to financial services" methodology, there were applied methods of comparative analysis, which made it possible to identify the weak and strong sides of the availability of financial services to the population of Kazakhstan.
Originality – the uniqueness of the study lies in the fact that, basically, indicators of financial sector development, the financial literacy of the population are assessed according to the classic set of indicators of the activities of financial organizations. The study of the methodology of the IMF and the World Bank for assessing the availability of the population to the services of financial institutions, led to other aspects of the development of the financial market. The conclusions obtained in this study will help to expand research in such areas as behavioral finance, efficiency and quality of financial services, and financial literacy of the population.
Findings – the study showed that not all financial resources in circulation are involved in the development of the national economy through financial intermediaries. The level of accessibility of financial services in Kazakhstan is still not on a very high level, and if earlier, in terms of some indexes, the Kazakh banking sector was ahead of the post-Soviet countries, then according to the given indicators, we still have a lot to strive for and develop.

The purpose of the present paper is to introduce a new quality management tool in higher education sector based on a foreign literature review and highlight important critical factors of the European Foundation for Quality management (EFQM) excellence model in quality management of education and performance improvement of higher education institutions.
The methodology of the paper is it applies the content analysis of the existing body of foreign literature related to the excellence model and its applicability in higher education. The paper analyzes in detail the European quality model, its structure and its critical factors. Moreover, the present study justifies the reliability and applicability of the EFQM excellence model in higher education based on foreign studies.
The originality / value of the research is that it can serve as a theoretical guideline for regional academics, scholars and university managers to formulate their quality management practices in accordance with the proposed conceptual model of excellence. The originality of the research is that it emphasizes the applicability of the excellence model as an effective quality management tool adopted from industry solely to higher education. In addition, the current study is the first attempt to investigate the issue of the EFQM quality model as an effective quality management tool applicable in higher education at the regional level.
Findings – the justification of reliability and applicability of the EFQM excellence model in higher education sector based on foreign practice.

The purpose of this article is to study the labor market, youth employment and unemployment, as well as to develop measures to improve the social protection system for unemployed youth in the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Research methodology. The study used methods of economic and statistical, comparative, and system analysis, as well as methods such as generalization, systematization, and historical and logical analysis. The source of information for the study was the Bureau of National Statistics of the Agency for Strategic Planning and Reforms of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Ministry of labour and social protection of population of Kazakhstan, the resources of the media and the Internet.
Originality / value of the research. The scientific and practical significance of the study is that the conclusions and conclusions obtained in the course of the study are applied to the problem of youth unemployment and its solution, and contribute to the development of the labor market economy.
Findings: the analysis of the problems of youth employment, labor market and unemployment in Kazakhstan is carried out; the main causes of youth unemployment in Kazakhstan are identified; recommendations for reducing youth unemployment are given.

The purpose of the research is to identify obstacles to employment of persons with disabilities in the Republic on the basis of legislative and regulatory documents of state authorities to develop recommendations for increasing the level of employment of persons with disabilities.
Methodology. In the course of this study, a macroeconomic and statistical approach was used. The authors mainly focused on studying the regulatory impact of the state on the employment of persons with disabilities.
Originality / value of the research based on the analysis of statistical data related to persons with disabilities, the article attempts to find and detect problems on their way to employment.
Findings: The share of working people with disabilities from the total population is only 0.6 %, and the largest number of people with disabilities live in the Turkestan region. The annual growth rate of special state benefits for all indicators over the past 7 years has averaged 7.0 %. A small number of people with disabilities work in the system of state administration, defense, and compulsory social security. Available objects for persons with disabilities with hearing impairment is 1.3 %, for persons with disabilities moving on wheelchairs is 0 %, for persons with disabilities with visual impairment is 0.1 %. In this regard, conclusions and recommendations were proposed for: increasing employment of persons with disabilities at the macro level; improving the quality of life not only of the individual himself, but also of all members of his family; positive impact, in general, on the reproduction of the country’s labor force.

The purpose is to examine and analyze the assessment and development of state regulation mechanisms of social entrepreneurship in Kazakhstan.
Methodology. During the research were used general research methods: comparison, analysis, synthesis, and gathering. The materials of The Ministry of Information and Social Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan has been used in this paper.
Originality / value of research. The research focus on identifying general condition of social entrepreneurship and finding main problems of assessment and development of social entrepreneurship in Kazakhstan and find some solutions of the existing issues in state regulations of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Findings. The role of the development of social entrepreneurship is very high. The government is interested in the development of this concept because it solves social issues and shows the potential of its influence and profit. While entrepreneurship in Kazakhstan is dynamically developing and in good condition, there is a social entrepreneurship that lags and needs focus. Since social entrepreneurship is a new integrated concept in Kazakhstan, there are several issues as no defined frameworks and definition. However, by the first president of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev on the experience of other countries was developed non-profit Social Entrepreneurship Corporations that can help to support small and medium businesses and be able to follow corporate responsibilities.

The purpose of the research is to frame a contemporary portrait of current creative entrepreneur in Kazakhstan, describing the role of formal and informal education in the process of becoming a creative entrepreneur.
Methodology – The method of the research is social survey, analysis the results of self-assessment of 62 creative entrepreneurs as well as expert opinions of creative hubs and clusters from Almaty and Nur-Sultan.
Originality / value of research – This was the first time such a study was conducted in Kazakhstan. The research was organized in the framework of British Council’s Higher Education Enterprise Programme – Creative Spark by the initiative of Impact Hub Almaty, Zhurgenov Art Academy and Goldsmiths University.
Findings: The research results were grouped into 5 key blocks – visionary and innovative approach, managerial and operational competencies, marketing fundamentals, financial and legal literacy.

The purpose of this research is to develop a methodology for clustering tourism products on the example of a tourist product of heritage tourism.
Methodology – The study used the following general scientific methods: statistical analysis, systemsanalytical approach, theoretical generalization, comparative analysis, scientific abstraction, analysis of causes and effects.
Originality/value – a methodology for clustering tourism products has been developed. The methodology has been tested on the Silk Road transnational tourism product, which is of great importance for the countries of Central Asia.
Research problem – the cluster type of tourism has been developing very rapidly in recent years. However, in the literature and practice there is still no theory and methodology for designing tourism clusters. The article is devoted to solving this problem.
Findings – the concept of a cluster was clarified, which made it possible to explore approaches to clustering and its testing on the tourism product "Silk Road". The highlighted features of clustering processes allowed for the classification of tourism clusters. A conclusion is made about two aspects of clustering: design and clustering algorithm. The highlighted stages of clustering make it possible to reveal the existence of a cluster, identify and determine the degree of clustering. The article provides an example of clustering of the Silk Road tourism product, for which a product carcass was designed, which made it possible to identify spatial characteristics, as well as regional clusters, and it was concluded that this would significantly increase the inflow of tourists to the Silk Road route.