Almaty Management University (AlmaU) is a higher educational institution in Almaty, Kazakhstan, providing preparation of specialists of economic fields under bachelor's degree programs, MBA (Master of Business Administration) and DBA (Doctor of Business Administration).ALMA is one of the first business higher schools in Kazakhstan — the University was organized in 1988 as Alma-Ata School of Managers, in 1996 it became the International Academy of Business. In 2014 it adopted its current name.
Purpose: This study investigates the patterns of international research collaboration in distribution science, retail management, and logistics studies in Central Asian emerging markets, with a particular focus on Kazakhstan. Research design, data, and methodology: Using bibliometric network analysis, the study analyzes 3,671 Scopus-indexed publications (2014-2024) affiliated with Central Asian institutions in distribution-related subject areas. Co-authorship networks, keyword co-occurrence maps, and citation overlay analyses are employed to identify collaboration structures, dominant research themes, and their relationship with citation performance. Publications were categorized into internationally co-authored (n=1,549) versus domestic-only (n=2,122) papers for comparative citation analysis. Results: The findings reveal a significant citation premium for internationally co-authored papers, which receive, on average, 89% more citations (mean=10.8) than domestic-only publications (mean=5.7). The co-authorship network analysis identifies a paradigm shift from traditional post-Soviet collaboration patterns toward diversified partnerships with Western European, East Asian, and North American institutions. The International Collaboration Rate increased from 27.0% in 2014 to 46.0% in 2024. Keyword analysis indicates strong alignment between regional research output and global trends in distribution science, particularly in ecommerce logistics, supply chain management, and sustainable distribution systems. Conclusions: This study contributes to the understanding of research internationalization dynamics in emerging markets and provides evidence-based recommendations for science policy aimed at enhancing research impact through strategic international collaboration in distribution science.
The article discusses the implementation of innovative marketing in the agro-industrial complex (AIC) of Kazakhstan using a network approach aimed at creating sustainable business ecosystems. These ecosystems must be capable of self-development and adaptation to changes in the external environment. Particular attention is paid to the analysis of the potential of modern marketing tools – corporate social responsibility. These components are becoming an integral part of the new marketing paradigm in the agricultural sector. The theoretical foundations of innovative marketing and its role in increasing the competitiveness of agricultural enterprises, improving communication with consumers, expanding distribution channels and strengthening trust in agribusiness are considered. Based on the analysis of international experience, examples of the successful implementation of similar approaches in various countries are given, and recommendations for their adaptation to Kazakhstan's realities are proposed. Special attention is paid to existing barriers and challenges in the implementation of innovative strategies – such as a shortage of qualified personnel, underdeveloped digital infrastructure and limited investment resources. It is emphasized that network marketing can act as a powerful driver of cooperation, resource pooling and sustainable growth of agro-industrial enterprises, and also play a key role in the process of digital transformation of agriculture.
Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major public health challenge globally and in Kazakhstan, despite progress in reducing incidence. Increasing evidence highlights the role of social and structural determinants in shaping TB risk, disease progression, and treatment outcomes. However, limited research has explored how decision-makers conceptualize these factors and identify system-level gaps in TB control. This study aimed to examine regional decision-makers’ perspectives on TB burden, social protection, health system capacity, and governance in Kazakhstan. A qualitative study was conducted using in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 12 decision-makers from six regions of Kazakhstan, including representatives of regional health authorities and local governance structures. Participants were purposively sampled to ensure diversity in institutional roles and geographic context. Interviews were conducted between August and December 2020, audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using inductive codebook thematic analysis supported by ATLAS.ti software. The study followed COREQ guidelines. Six major themes were identified. Participants consistently framed TB as a condition closely linked to structural inequality rather than solely a biomedical issue. Risk was perceived as concentrated among socially and geographically vulnerable populations, particularly in rural areas with limited access to care. A key finding was the identification of a “biomedical–social gap,” whereby strong diagnostic and treatment capacity was perceived as insufficiently connected to social protection, outreach, and governance mechanisms. Participants attributed this gap to fragmented social assistance, uneven support for transport, food, and income-related needs, workforce and infrastructure constraints, inequities in rural access, and insufficient institutionalization of NGO involvement. Sustaining political commitment and non-stigmatizing public awareness was also identified as important for long-term TB control. Regional decision-makers perceived TB control in Kazakhstan as constrained by fragmented linkages between biomedical services, social protection, NGO outreach, rural access support, and intersectoral governance mechanisms. Strengthening patient-centered social support and coordination across clinical, social, and civil society sectors may help reduce perceived fragmentation and support more equitable TB control.
Цель – провести анализ влияния роботов-консультантов на трансформацию инвестиционного поведения розничных участников фондового рынка, определить особенности применения автоматизированных инвестиционных платформ, а также оценить влияние искусственного интеллекта и алгоритмических технологий на процессы управления инвестиционными портфелями. Методы – диалектический, абстрактно-логический, сравнительный, аналитический методы, методы системного анализа, обобщения и сопоставления данных рейтинговых агентств, анализ научной литературы и современных подходов в области цифровых финансовых технологий. Результаты – установлено, что роботы-консультанты обеспечивают доступность сложных инвестиционных стратегий для розничных инвесторов, способствуют автоматизации процессов управления портфелями и снижению зависимости от человеческого участия. Выявлено, что алгоритмические системы позволяют реализовывать динамическое управление рисками, автоматическую ребалансировку активов и формирование диверсифицированных портфелей с учетом индивидуального риск-профиля инвесторов. На основе анализа данных рейтинговых агентств США и Германии определены различия в распределении долевых и долговых инструментов для инвесторов с различными уровнями риска. Рассмотрена эволюция робо-консультантов от моделей RAs 2.0 до RAs 4.0, использующих самообучающийся искусственный интеллект. Выводы – результаты исследования подтверждают, что роботы-консультанты формируют новые модели инвестиционного поведения розничных участников фондового рынка, повышают инвестиционную дисциплину, способствуют снижению поведенческих искажений и расширяют доступность финансовых услуг. Интеграция искусственного интеллекта и методов машинного обучения создает предпосылки для дальнейшего развития персонализированных инвестиционных стратегий и роста рынка цифровых инвестиционных сервисов.
PURPOSE:Healthcare systems in transitional economies frequently fail to translate formally adopted strategies into consistent patient-centered care. This persistent disconnect between strategic intent and frontline execution is conceptualized in this study as the Strategic Implementation Fidelity Gap. This paper introduces the concept of whether differences in strategic implementation fidelity are associated with measurable variations in patient-perceived service quality in public healthcare organizations. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH:A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted in two state-owned healthcare institutions in Almaty, Kazakhstan: a hospital characterized by higher implementation fidelity and a polyclinic with lower fidelity. Service quality was assessed using the SERVQUAL model, reconceptualized here as a behavioral indicator of strategic execution. Non-parametric analysis was applied to compare service quality gaps across five dimensions. FINDINGS:The findings reveal significant negative service quality gaps in both institutions, with the largest deficiencies consistently observed in empathy and responsiveness. Crucially, the institution with higher implementation fidelity demonstrated a significantly smaller overall SERVQUAL gap (p = 0.003), indicating that differences in execution capacity translate directly into measurable differences in patient experience. RESEARCH LIMITATIONS/IMPLICATIONS:This study provides compelling evidence; however, its findings should be interpreted in light of the following limitations. Cross-Sectional Design: The study employed a cross-sectional design, collecting data at a single point in time. While this allows for statistical comparison between institutions, it limits the ability to establish definitive cause-and-effect relationships or track the dynamic evolution of the Strategic Implementation Fidelity Gap over time. Future research should utilize longitudinal designs to assess the impact of implemented managerial protocols. Perceptual Data Dependency: The research relies primarily on patient-perceived quality data (SERVQUAL), which is inherently subjective. Although this is a crucial measure of service quality, the scope does not include the perspectives of healthcare providers or objective clinical outcome data. Generalizability: The sample was restricted to two public healthcare institutions in a single large city (Almaty, Kazakhstan). Therefore, the generalizability of the results to diverse regional healthcare settings or other transitional economies should be approached with caution. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS:Strategic Resource Rebalancing: The results offer a clear rationale for healthcare decision-makers to strategically rebalance investments. Priorities must shift from sole reliance on structural assets to rigorous development and control of managerial and staff protocols, placing a specific focus on the identified areas of weakness: Empathy and Responsiveness. Management Monitoring Tool: The statistically significant differences between institutions demonstrate that the SERVQUAL gap score can serve as a quantifiable management monitoring tool for supervisory bodies to audit the quality of strategic execution and compliance. Applicability in Transitional Systems: The findings provide an actionable governance model for all transitional and emerging economies seeking to modernize their health systems, demonstrating that reform success is predicated on the quality of Behavioral Governance. SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS:Restoring Public Trust: The identified gaps in Empathy and Responsiveness are primary drivers of eroded public trust in the healthcare system and government-led reforms. Addressing the Strategic Implementation Fidelity Gap through mandatory behavioral governance directly contributes to restoring citizens' trust in public institutions. Promoting Social Equity: Inconsistent service quality (low Implementation Fidelity) creates barriers to equitable access to effective care. Ensuring every facility adheres to standardized protocols (especially in behavioral aspects) promotes social equity and guarantees consistent quality of service for all population segments. Enhancing Patient Well-being: Directly addressing failures in Empathy and Responsiveness not only improves the clinical experience but also significantly enhances the psychological and emotional well-being of patients, increasing their adherence to treatment plans and overall satisfaction with state interaction. ORIGINALITY/VALUE:The study provides the first empirical quantification of a Strategic Implementation Fidelity Gap in a transitional healthcare system and demonstrates that service quality deficits are not solely driven by resource constraints, but by failures in behavioral execution. By repositioning SERVQUAL as a diagnostic tool for strategic implementation, the study offers a novel framework for assessing how governance and execution shape frontline outcomes. The findings suggest that healthcare reforms should move beyond structural investment and prioritize behavioral governance, performance monitoring, and the standardization of frontline practices to ensure effective strategy implementation.
