The modern development of the global economy is accompanied by a growing importance of renewable energy sources, driven by the objectives of enhancing energy security, reducing the carbon intensity of production, and ensuring sustainable economic development. For the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), renewable energy has acquired particular significance in the context of structural economic transformation and the need to diversify the energy mix.

The purpose of this study is to provide an empirical assessment of the relationship between the share of renewable energy in total final energy consumption and economic growth in CIS countries over the period 1997–2021. The empirical analysis is based on panel data for six CIS countries and employs a fixed effects regression model, which makes it possible to account for cross-country heterogeneity as well as time-invariant institutional and structural characteristics of the region’s economies.

The results indicate a statistically significant positive relationship between an increase in the share of renewable energy sources and the level of GDP per capita. In addition, the findings confirm the key role of investment activity and demographic factors in shaping economic growth, while external trade did not serve as a stable source of growth for CIS countries during the period under consideration.

The scientific significance of the study lies in obtaining empirical estimates that reveal the relationship between renewable energy consumption and economic growth in CIS countries. The practical importance of the research lies in providing analytical guidelines for the development of long-term energy and economic development strategies. The interpretation of the results is limited to identifying stable relationships and does not imply strict causal conclusions.

Research objective. To analyse the relationship between the level of digitalisation, the adoption of artificial intelligence technologies, and the structures of institutional trust in the countries of Central Asia, as well as to analyse their relationship with perceptions of digital technologies and structures of public trust.

Methodology. The methodology includes a comparative analysis of international indices of digital development (E-Government Development Index, Network Readiness Index, Freedom on the Net), data from global surveys on trust in artificial intelligence, national statistics on internet penetration and the use of electronic public services, as well as the results of a comparative survey of respondents in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan.

Scientific novelty and value. Central Asia is examined as a region characterised by asymmetric digital development: Kazakhstan demonstrates high levels of digital transformation, including its inclusion among countries with a very high level of e-government development, while Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan remain at stages of catch-up modernisation. The article proposes an analytical model of “hybrid trust” that differentiates among institutional, social, and algorithmic levels of trust. It also introduces the concept of “algorithmic perceptual bias,” reflecting the discrepancy between the objective characteristics of digital systems and the population’s subjective interpretation of their functioning. This approach makes it possible to link macro-level indicators of digitalisation to micro-level effects on perception and political behaviour.

Results. The findings demonstrate that a high level of digital accessibility and active use of electronic services are not accompanied by a proportional increase in trust in algorithmic systems. The observed crosscountry differences identified in the study confirm the presence of a “digital efficienc paradox” and a hybrid configuration of trust in the context of regional digital transformation.

The Purpose of this research is to identify, within contemporary scientific literature, assessment of the impact of Country of Origin (COO) factors and ethical appeals on sustainable consumer behaviour and brand equity in the food market of Kazakhstan. The purpose of this systematic literature review caused by the search the dominant influencing factors and to assess the sufficienc of existing research methodologies within the stated geographic context.

Methodology. The study uses a systematic analysis protocol, as well as sources and literature screening from databases Google Scholar and ScienceDirect. The materials were systematically analysed and classified according to the research methodology (quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods) and their relevance to the Kazakhstani food market.

Originality/value. The review is the first scientific synthesis of the literature on country of Origin (COO) and ethical appeals, especially in relation to the food market in Kazakhstan. It clearly identifies and justifies a critical geographic gap in research, highlighting the discrepancy between global research frameworks and the need to obtain localized consumer insights in Central Asian markets.

Findings. The analysis shows that the Country of Origin is the dominant factor shaping consumption perception and brand equity in the food sector, while ethical appeals play a secondary, reinforcing role. An important finding is the lack of research on these consumer behaviour factors in the context of Kazakhstan, demonstrating that modern methodological approaches are insufficien to fill this knowledge gap in geographical context, despite the fact that mixed methods are the most prevalent approach in the broader literature.

The study is driven by the need to integrate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles into the strategic and sustainable development of universities. While such integration enhances institutional competitiveness, it simultaneously generates new financial, organizational, and reputational risks. Therefore, the development of a transformation model that enables effectiverisk management and strengthens universities’ positions in the education market is a timely objective, ensuring a systematic approach to sustainable development and strategic management.

The aim of the study is to develop a transformation model for Kazakhstani universities to enhance their competitiveness through the integration of ESG principles, effective risk management, and the achievement of sustainable development goals.

Research methodology. The study involved an analysis of Kazakhstani universities’ approaches to sustainable development and an assessment of their readiness to implement ESG principles. Key environmental, social, and governance risks were identified, along with factors that enhance universities’ competitiveness in the international arena. Based on the analysis, recommendations were proposed for integrating ESG principles into strategic planning, including responsible resource management, social programs, and increased transparency and ethical governance. A university transformation model was developed that incorporates international best practices and local specificities, aimed at enhancing social inclusiveness, environmental sustainability, and digital transformation, thereby ensuring competitiveness and financial sustainability.

Originality (value) of the research. The study proposes a university transformation model that integrates risk management and ESG principles, taking into account international experience and the specific context of Kazakhstan to enhance competitiveness and sustainable development.

The results demonstrate that environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and ethical governance are key determinants of university competitiveness, influencing reputation, investment attractiveness, and financial stability. The integration of ESG principles serves as an effective tool for risk management and the achievement of sustainable development goals.

The effectiveness of project management is largely determined by the quality of human capital and the set of competencies that ensure successful implementation of project tasks. This study aims to analytically identify and structure key characteristics of human resources in order to define priorities for forming project teams and distributing functional workload within project offices Traditional statistical models typically consider competencies in isolation, which limits their applicability in multidimensional and interconnected managerial processes.

The methodological basis of the study includes content analysis of labor market requirements presented in job vacancies on the hh.kz platform and a comparative analysis of employers’ practice-oriented expectations and the normative competency model IPMA ICB v4. To analytically interpret the interconnections between the identified competencies, the DEMATEL method is used as a conceptual framework that allows competencies to be viewed as elements of a single system.

The study results show that the labor market emphasizes such characteristics as motivation, adaptability, innovative thinking, professional training, and the ability to maintain work–life balance, which form the foundation for effective functioning of project teams. At the same time, competencies related to interaction management, conflict resolution, and stakeholder communication appear mainly as a response to organizational and contextual conditions.

The findings highlight the need to apply systemic approaches to competency assessment and development in a project environment. Integrating structured analytical tools into project offic management practice increases the soundness of managerial decisions and the effectiveness of forming project teams.

Purpose – This paper examines the relationship between AI-driven educational platforms, economic efficiency, and human capital formation in the context of digital transformation in education. It focuses on extracurricular education and considers how AI-enabled personalization and gamification may contribute to more efficient learning processes and to the development of cognitive and non-cognitive skill.

Methodology – The study adopts an exploratory analytical approach grounded in human capital theory and the economics of education. It uses a conceptual framework to assess an AI-based extracurricular learning platform in terms of learning productivity, scalability, resource utilization, and potential human capital outcomes. The analysis is based on the interpretation of platform mechanisms in relation to insights from recent literature.

Originality – The paper contributes to the literature by integrating three perspectives that are often examined separately: AI-based educational platforms, economic efficienc in education, and human capital development. It offers a structured analytical framework for considering how personalization and engagement mechanisms may be interpreted from an economic perspective.

Findings – The study suggests that AI-driven educational platforms may enhance educational efficienc by supporting scalable delivery, reducing coordination burdens, and improving the alignment of learning activities with learner needs. It also indicates that such platforms may support human capital formation through the development of critical thinking, autonomy, motivation, and adaptability when implemented within an appropriate pedagogical framework. However, the findings are exploratory and should be interpreted as analytical rather than as direct empirical evidence.

The relevance of the research is due to the increasing role of human capital in ensuring sustainable economic development and competitiveness of states in the knowledge economy. In global practice, talent management is considered as a strategic tool for increasing labor productivity and retaining qualified personnel, however, in developing economies, including the Republic of Kazakhstan, the relationship between talent management practices and macroeconomic results remains poorly understood.

The purpose of the study is to identify the role of talent management in the development of human capital based on the analysis of statistical indicators of the labor market of the Republic of Kazakhstan and an assessment of their relationship with labor productivity.

The originality of the research lies in the methodological approach of adapting macroeconomic modeling tools to the analysis of management practices, allowing quantifying the contribution of human capital to economic results.

Research methods include economic and statistical time series analysis, correlation analysis of employment indicators and the educational structure of the workforce, as well as the construction of a linear regression model to assess the impact of talent management factors on the dynamics of GVA per employee. The empirical base is based on official statistical data from the Bureau of National Statistics of the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2018-2024.

The results of the study show that there is a stable positive relationship between the involvement of the population in formal employment, the development of vocational education and labor productivity growth. At the same time, a negative relationship was revealed between youth unemployment and the efficienc of using human capital. The data obtained confirm that structural changes in the labor market are directly related to economic results.

The findings of the study indicate that effective talent management is a key factor in developing human capital and increasing labor productivity. Investments in vocational education, reduction of youth unemployment and strengthening of formal employment are strategic directions of the state policy.

The purpose of the study is a comprehensive study of both hindering and contributing factors, barriers affecting the employment of people with physical disabilities. As a result, they are combined into a single, integrated system to develop integrated solutions and improve the effectiveness of employment programs.

Methodology – as part of the study of factors and barriers affecting the employment of people with physical disabilities, a review of domestic and foreign scientific literature was conducted. The analysis of works devoted to the identification of both hindering and contributing factors of employment became the basis for the development of an integrative model of employment for people with physical disabilities.

The originality / value of the research lies in the comprehensive study of the hindering and supporting factors and barriers to employment of persons with physical disabilities, which allowed the development of an integrative employment model to offer comprehensive solutions and to improve the effectiveness of employment programs.

The results of the study include the identification of a number of factors that hinder the employment of people with physical disabilities and barriers, including: physical, psychological, communication and technological barriers, discrimination, excessive family patronage, doubts among recruitment specialists about the ability of people with physical disabilities. As well as identifying auxiliary employment factors such as organizational, social, personal and structural barriers.

The purpose of the study is to justify the choice of a mathematical method for conducting an in-depth study of causal relationships in socio-economic processes based on a limited amount of statistical data using Kazakhstan as an example, as well as to develop a methodology for its application in accordance with the principles of interdisciplinary research. The relevance of the study is determined by the presence of methodological errors in scientific publications related to the incorrect use of mathematical methods in socio-economic research.

Research methods – given the identified inadequacy of currently widely used regression models, a reasonable choice of mathematical methods in accordance with the research objective is proposed. A methodology for applying statistical dependence equations has been developed and a forecasting procedure using normative calculations based on this method is presented.

The value of the research results lies in presenting the complete procedure for applying the statistical dependence equation method using the example of identifying the causal relationship of the trend in the average annual population of the city of Almaty.

The study resulted in a statistical analysis of the main demographic indicators of the city of Almaty was conducted, including the average annual population, migration balance, birth rate, and the volume of natural increase. As a result of the constructed equation of statistical dependencies, it was calculated and proven that population growth in the city is primarily driven by internal migration flows within the country, accounting for 78.9% of the total impact. Since the migration factor is regulated among demographic indicators, a simulation forecast was made with limited values for this factor. On this basis, population regulation models were developed using specified planned values of the influencing factor.

Background: Western Kazakhstan, endowed with natural resources, cultural heritage, tourism resorts, and geopolitical advantages, plays a critical role in Kazakhstan’s economic development. Entrepreneurship is considered one of the most important factors to facilitate economic growth and development.

Purpose of the research: This study aims to explore the role of entrepreneurship with Chinese investment in oil and gas sector in boosting the regional economy of western Kazakhstan, hence further benefiting the national economy.

Methodology: This study employs qualitive secondary analysis method that uses existing data to examine the link between opportunity-driven and innovation-oriented entrepreneurship versus economic growth in western Kazakhstan.

Findings: The research finds that Chinese entrepreneurship in oil and gas sector is an essential driving force for the regional economic growth. The proposed growth model can be applied as a paradigm for economic development in other business sectors in Kazakhstan.

Originality/value of the research: The growth model is constructed to explain how entrepreneurship with Chinese investment in a specific sector in a region facilitates the local economy. The economic assessment model integrated in this paper serves as another contribution to the generic research on economic growth.

Purpose of the research – to develop and provide practical justification for a risk-oriented diversification of investment portfolios of financial institutions based on modern risk management methods, taking into account extreme market fluctuations.

Methodology – the study employs methods of modern portfolio theory, risk-oriented optimization models (Risk Parity, Hierarchical Risk Parity, and Conditional Value at Risk), economic and statistical methods, comparative analysis, as well as performance evaluation metrics for investment portfolios.

Originality / value – the study contributes by developing a comprehensive risk-oriented approach to the diversification of investment portfolios of financial institutions, based on the integration of modern risk management models and aimed at enhancing the resilience of portfolio strategies under conditions of market uncertainty.

Findings – the results demonstrate that risk-oriented portfolios exhibit a more stable risk–return trade-off and lower exposure to tail risks compared to classical portfolio strategies.

The purpose of this article is to discuss the concept of Islamic Fintech, the importance of Islamic Fintech in the banking sector, and analyze the development of Islamic Fintech in the world.

Materials and methods. The theoretical and methodological basis of the study is the scientific works of domestic and foreign scientists and statistical reports of the Global Islamic Finance report. The article used methods of analysis, induction and deduction, comparative analysis.

The scientific value of this study lies in a comprehensive analysis of the content of Islamic Fintech, its role in the banking and financial sector, correlating it with modern technological trends. The article scientifically substantiated the possibilities of digital transformation of the Islamic financial industry in compliance with the requirements of Sharia and systematically assessed the dynamics of the development of Islamic Fintech on the basis of global statistical data. The study identified the advantages and limitations of Islamic fintech through a comparative analysis and clarified the main areas in which financial innovations affect Islamic financial institutions.

Research results. This study examined the Islamic fintech market and key features. Estimates were made on the development and current state of the Islamic fintech market in the world. In addition, the advantages and difficulties that the Islamic fintech industry must overcome were discuss.

Research Objective – to analyze the impact of companies’ accounting and disclosure practices for cryptocurrency assets on their financial performance, stock returns, and liabilities.

Methodology – analysis of financial statements of companies in Kazakhstan that account for cryptocurrency assets; comparison of financial indicators; application of regression models and correlation analysis; testing of two hypotheses.

Originality / Value of the Study – examining cryptocurrency from the perspective of accounting is a rare topic. This work is among the first to systematically analyze issues of accounting and disclosure of cryptocurrency assets within international standards. The findings provide useful insights for public authorities and companies in their decision-making processes.

Research Findings – the empirical analysis revealed that holding cryptocurrency assets does not significantly affect companies’ financial performance. Specifically, cryptocurrency positions show no statistically significant relationship with profits or stock returns. This suggests that investors may hold a neutral attitude toward companies that own or do not own cryptocurrency.

Furthermore, the study found that cryptocurrency assets have a substantial impact on companies’ liabilities, thereby increasing financial risk. Consequently, cryptocurrency should not be treated as a cash equivalent under current accounting standards, as its volatility and valuation complexity may undermine the reliability of financial reporting.

In conclusion, the study highlights the relevance of considering cryptocurrency in accounting and demonstrates the need for additional disclosures under international standards. Future research should cover longer time horizons, focus on accounting policy choices, examine the evolution of cryptocurrency-related disclosures, and assess their impact on firm value more comprehensively.

The purpose of this research is to conduct a systematic review of literature on internal audit effectiveness in commercial banks and to establish an integrative conceptual model that incorporates the main factors discussed in prior studies. Internal audit effectiveness plays a critical role in ensuring effective risk management, corporate governance, and financial reporting quality in banking institutions, particularly in the context of increasing regulatory requirements and digital transformation.

Methodology. This study employs a systematic literature review methodology based on the PRISMA framework. Academic publications were identified through major databases, including Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar, using predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. A total of 30 publications were initially identified, and 21 relevant sources, including academic studies and professional frameworks, were selected for detailed analysis. These studies have been subjected to an analysis based on the research methodology used, determinants studied, and main conclusions derived.

The originality and value of this study lies in providing an exhaustive analysis of fragmented literature on the internal audit effectiveness at commercial banks and the development of an integrative theoretical model explaining inter-relationships between various factors. Unlike prior studies that focus on individual determinants, this study offers a multidimensional perspective and identifies important research gaps, particularly in emerging markets such as Kazakhstan.

Research results. The results reveal that there are some important elements influencing the efficiency of internal auditing in commercial banks, such as management’s attitude, auditor proficiency, independence of internal audit, effectiveness of the audit committee, technology, and audit process quality. These factors contribute to improving internal control systems, risk management, and the overall quality of corporate governance.

The theoretical model can be used for further empirical studies and serve as an instrument for improving internal audit efficiency. This study contributes to the existing literature by integrating empirical and conceptual approaches, as well as identifying research gaps and outlining directions for future studies, particularly in the context of emerging markets, including Kazakhstan.

The purpose of the study is that the article considers the processes of forming a digital transport and logistics corridor in the Republic of Kazakhstan in the context of the global digital transformation of the supply chain and the growth of international trade.

Methodology the research was conducted using general scientific methods such as analysis, comparison, generalization.

Originality/value of research. The study covers the institutional, infrastructural and technological prerequisites for the integration of Kazakhstan into cross-border transport systems, with an emphasis on the development of the Middle Transit Corridor (TITR) as a strategic direction of the Eurasian space. The implemented digital solutions are analyzed: "Single Window", national portal, Astana-1 system (ASYCUDA), e-SMGS and e-CMR projects, IoT implementation, blockchain technologies, AI and "smart" logistics centers.

Findings. Based on statistical data, international rankings (LPI, Doing Business) and digitalization conditions, both achievements (reduction in clearing times, increased transparency, increased throughput) and problems (fragmentation of information flows, lack of unified data exchange standards, limited compatibility of digital platforms) were identified. As a strategic solution, the “data pipeline” methodology was proposed, which ensures end-to-end digital support of cargo, legal validity of electronic documents, and integration of national and international platforms. The research results confirm that the implementation of this approach can strengthen Kazakhstan’s role as a key Eurasian logistics hub and increase its competitiveness in the global supply chain.