In the context of the need to transition to sustainable models of production and consumption, the development of a circular economy becomes a key factor in the sustainable growth of small businesses in Kazakhstan. The purpose of the study is to substantiate the conceptual framework and develop proposals for the implementation of circular economy principles in small business management. The methodology is based on the analysis of regulatory and analytical sources, international experience, as well as the use of system and comparative approaches. The research identifies key elements of the circular economy model adapted to the conditions of small businesses in Kazakhstan, reveals barriers and drivers for the implementation of circular practices, and proposes recommendations for their integration into business models. The practical significance of the study lies in the possibility of applying the proposed approaches in developing state policy to support small businesses and in implementing corporate strategies for sustainable development.
The article examines issues related to improving the organizational, legal, and institutional framework for customs authorities' activities in the context of the Republic of Kazakhstan’s participation in the Eurasian Economic Union. The purpose of the article is to substantiate the directions of improving the organizational, legal and institutional framework of the customs authorities of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the context of participation in the Eurasian Economic Union, to identify existing imbalances in their functional and evaluation system, as well as to develop proposals to improve the effectiveness of fiscal and control functions, taking into account digitalization and interaction with participants in foreign economic activity. Currently, national legislation defines customs authorities as state revenue bodies within their respective areas of competence, which has led to a shift in their operational focus and a narrowing of their powers. This, in turn, reduces their capacity to effectively perform key functions related to ensuring the country’s economic and national security. In this regard, the authors emphasize the need to improve the institutional performance of the state revenue authorities of the Republic of Kazakhstan to enhance the effectiveness of the fiscal and control functions of customs authorities. The research employs an integrated methodological approach, combining legal and comparative analysis with international benchmarking indicators and empirical data from a survey of participants in foreign economic activity. The findings reveal a structural imbalance in the existing performance evaluation system for customs authorities in the Republic of Kazakhstan, which is largely oriented toward fiscal outcomes while insufficiently reflecting control functions, service quality, and engagement with the business community. In addition, the study identifies several technical and organizational deficiencies in the customs administration's digital infrastructure that negatively affect the efficiency and reliability of customs services.
The United Nations recognized creative economy as one of the fastest growing sectors. The sector not only employs 30 million people worldwide, but also provides more jobs for young people than any other area of employment. The study was conducted within the 5-year “Creative Spark” program funded by the British Council and implemented in the countries of Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan), South Caucasus (Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia) and Ukraine. The program aimed at strengthening partnerships between universities and creative institutions in the UK and participating countries, developing entrepreneurial skills among young people and increasing their English level proficiency. Kazakhstan places a special importance on development of creative industries and approved the “Concept for the Development of Creative Industries for 2021–2025” [1]. In order to keep pace with the government’s initiatives and international trends, higher education institutions in Kazakhstan need to provide educational programmes to prepare future leaders for creative industries. The first step in this process is to identify current situation and demand for educational programmes in creative economy. This is the aim of the study. The methods employed in the study are in-depth interviews with experts and surveying applicants to Kazakh American Free University located in Ust-Kamenogorsk, Eastern Kazakhstan. The results of the study show that the demand for creative industries is not completely formed and strong promotion is needed in order to popularize this sector. Some recommendations for higher education institutions in Kazakhstan include the development of double degree programs with the US and the UK universities in web design, brand management and advertising.
Child trafficking remains one of the most serious violations of children’s rights and a significant social problem worldwide. The issue of child trafficking can be considered in an interdisciplinary context, linking it with various scientific fields. In order to determine the part that educational initiatives play in preventing child trafficking, this article will look at the problem from the perspectives of law and education, particularly as it relates to higher education. It is known that certain crimes, such as child trafficking, domestic violence, forced child labor, etc., are committed due to a lack of education. Therefore, it is important to link the work of law enforcement agencies, especially those dealing with child trafficking, with education to better understand how to improve the quality and effectiveness of efforts to combat this crime. This paper examines the relationship between child trafficking in the legal context and education, particularly higher education. The study aims to analyze the understanding of the problem of child trafficking among university students in Ust-Kamenogorsk, Almaty and Astana. The work's primary goal is to determine how well-informed students are about the causes, effects, and measures to combat child trafficking, as well as how they view the issue from the perspectives of social and legal responsibility.
The article examines artificial intelligence as a tool for modernizing public administration and as a potential factor in the economic efficiency of digital transformation. The study aims to develop and substantiate a conceptual-analytical framework identifying channels through which gender-sensitive AI in Kazakhstan’s public sector may be associated with transaction costs, budget targeting, labor-force participation, and returns to human capital, and to specify indicators for subsequent empirical assessment. The methodology combines institutional economic analysis, a comparative approach, policy analysis, elements of gender impact assessment, and logical modelling. The empirical and documentary basis includes official Kazakhstan data on e-government and the labor market, the Law “On Artificial Intelligence,” the Concept for the Development of Artificial Intelligence for 2024–2029, Bureau of National Statistics data, ILOSTAT, ITU DataHub, Women, Business and the Law, and OECD, UNESCO, and UN Women publications. The analysis identifies potential economic channels rather than statistically established causal effects. The scientific novelty is an economic-institutional extension of Algorithmic Accountability, Algorithmic Fairness, Responsible AI, and gender-responsive AI through the concept of gender-algorithmic accountability, which links gender-differentiated AI outcomes with transaction costs, budget targeting, employment, human capital, and returns on public digital investment. Practical implications concern gender auditing of high-risk AI systems, gender- and region-disaggregated monitoring of digital services, fairness requirements in public procurement, and support for women’s economic participation.
