Search results
11 – 20 of over 3000
Kazakhstan's IAEA Low Enriched Uranium (LEU) bank.
Details
DOI: 10.1108/OXAN-DB201133
ISSN: 2633-304X
Keywords
Geographic
Topical
Marina Latukha and Konstantin Malko
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the peculiarities of human resource management (HRM) practices in Kazakh firms and identify the factors that influence them. Attention…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the peculiarities of human resource management (HRM) practices in Kazakh firms and identify the factors that influence them. Attention is paid to analysis of the country-specific environment, which shapes the peculiarities of HRM and provides discussion on the respective Westernization or localization perspectives.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper argues that HRM practices are influenced by a number of factors, some of which are rather specific to Kazakhstan and some are common in a Commonwealth of Independent States’ context. The study uses exploratory research which includes the conduction of a survey, consisting of blocks of questions, for data collection.
Findings
The results show that despite dynamic economic growth of Kazakhstan’s economy, HRM practices are still in transition from those of Soviet heritage to ones that exist in Western multinational corporations. They cannot fully match the country’s needs for HRM development. Several recommendations for the future development of HRM in Kazakhstan are made.
Originality/value
The study examines the adaptation of HRM practices to the business environment in Kazakhstan.
Details
Keywords
This paper aims to explore the extent and nature of corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting practices in the banking sector of Kazakhstan and investigates the effects of…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore the extent and nature of corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting practices in the banking sector of Kazakhstan and investigates the effects of board characteristics on CSR disclosures in the given emerging economy.
Design/methodology/approach
Data on CSR disclosures were manually collected from annual reports of all commercial banks listed in the Kazakhstan Stock Exchange (KASE) for the period 2010-2016. Financial data were obtained from audited financial statements available on bank websites and the Web page of the National Bank of Kazakhstan.
Findings
The empirical results reveal that board gender diversity has a positive influence on CSR reposting, while board size and board independence have no impact on the level of CSR disclosures. Furthermore, the results show that bank size and bank age are significant factors in the dissemination of CSR disclosures. Additionally, the findings suggest that banks with a share of foreign ownership disclose more extensive and transparent information on CSR activities than banks owned by local investors and state-owned banks.
Originality/value
The study provides evidence on the relationship between corporate governance and the level of CSR in the context of an emerging economy such as Kazakhstan, representing the Central Asian region. The study contributes to the current literature by focusing on the banking sector of Kazakhstan as a research context due to its substantial representation in the capital market of the given emerging economy.
Details
Keywords
Kazakhstan-China ties.
Details
DOI: 10.1108/OXAN-DB207604
ISSN: 2633-304X
Keywords
Geographic
Topical
This study investigates motivators and inhibitors of entrepreneurship and small business development in the transitional economy of Kazakhstan in Central Asia. A qualitative…
Abstract
This study investigates motivators and inhibitors of entrepreneurship and small business development in the transitional economy of Kazakhstan in Central Asia. A qualitative research was used to obtain a macro view of developing entrepreneurship and small business in Kazakhstan. A focus group interview with entrepreneurs and small business owners was conducted during 2006. In general, factors that enhance entrepreneurship and small business development include encouraging social entrepreneurship, increasing credits availability, improving institutional environment and supports from international organisations. Selected policy and practical implications are identified, such as improving institutional development, creating supportive business environment, and promoting social entrepreneurship.
Details
Keywords
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of the value of diversity in business in Kazakhstan, analysing the possible opportunities, benefits and, if any, negatives…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of the value of diversity in business in Kazakhstan, analysing the possible opportunities, benefits and, if any, negatives or downsides for companies that diversity can bring.
Design/methodology/approach
Focus groups and interviews.
Findings
The position of women and minorities were uncovered. The findings also show how open are the Kazakhstani people to foreigners and to what extent are foreigners accepted in Kazakhstan.
Research limitations/implications
Though supplemented with interviews, more focus groups may be applied. The study has been limited to Almaty, the most diverse city in Kazakhstan. Perhaps it would have different results if it had been conducted in other major cities.
Practical implications
Allows a survey of the possible opportunities/benefits and threats/costs of diversity that may be reaped by the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Originality/value
Provides continuing perspectives on the issue of diversity, which is one of the globalisation impacts or waves affecting organizations.
Details
Keywords
Nasim S. Shirazi, Laura A. Kuanova, Adilbek Ryskulov and Aziya G. Mukusheva
This paper aims to take stock of the Islamic finance experience and aims to identify an approach for further development in Kazakhstan, using qualitative and quantitative…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to take stock of the Islamic finance experience and aims to identify an approach for further development in Kazakhstan, using qualitative and quantitative assessments.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper presents a conceptual framework based on literature review and content analysis. Furthermore, the study uses a survey-based methodology to collect data and determine the prospects, challenges and possible remedies. The quantitative parameters of the potential of Islamic finance in Kazakhstan are based on the assessment of funds on bank deposits, which can be considered potential resources for Islamic financial instruments.
Findings
The results suggest improving the legal framework and institutional environment to grow Islamic finance in the country. Raising trust levels in a Shariah-based system within the local population, reducing transaction costs and reducing information asymmetry allow raising public awareness of Islamic finance and integrating Islamic finance into the conventional financial system.
Research limitations/implications
This paper is not free from limitations and does not focus on implementing the suggested results.
Social implications
This work elaborates in what way the Islamic finance advancement affects the development of economics and focuses on co-financing of real asset-based projects, with the risk and loss sharing; charity; strict prohibitions on the financing of haram activities, pseudo-needs; and subordination of the individual’s interests to society.
Originality/value
The proposed study presents originalities and it identifies the significant challenges and barriers for further Islamic financial industry development in Kazakhstan by professionals survey. Furthermore, the study assesses potential Islamic finance assets and provides recommendations for successful Islamic finance advancement, considering the peculiarities of the national economy.
Details
Keywords
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the promising potential of open data in Kazakhstan to boost public sector innovations and trace the emergence of the related civic…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the promising potential of open data in Kazakhstan to boost public sector innovations and trace the emergence of the related civic engagement initiatives in order to understand how it affects the democratization of political communication processes in a typical developing country.
Design/methodology/approach
This is a case study research which begins with a brief history of the official open data project and then investigates various political and socioeconomic drivers, corresponding regulatory acts, the leading role of the key stakeholders and policy entrepreneurs in the diffusion of the open data movement as well as the main challenges associated with the advance of the open government concept in Kazakhstan, while various independent open data-driven projects provide a rich empirical basis for the analysis.
Findings
Open data provides new opportunities to promote civic engagement and e-participation but does not affect the fundamentals of the political system nor advances democratic institutions in a typical developing country. The traditional directives could paradoxically be effective in advancing open data even in a less collaborative political culture. The unitary administrative context is conducive for the development of the ICT-driven public sector initiatives as a single platform. The existence of independent developers is crucial in promoting various open data-driven projects and sharing related expertise. The open data movement creates a favorable atmosphere for the participation of the non-governmental sector in the sphere.
Research limitations/implications
This case study is primarily focused on the analysis of the open data movement at the national level of government, taking into account the unitary structure of the public administration system existing in Kazakhstan, which apparently has a crucial fundamental effect on the realization of any e-government system in this country. In this respect, the main limitation of the research is that the possible existence of various open data-driven projects at the local levels that hypothetically may have a different set of political and socioeconomic drivers and challenges was excluded from the final equation, which provides a new window for the future research in the area.
Practical implications
The results of the research could be used by e-government practitioners and policymakers in evaluating and improving the operation of the open data-driven projects in many developing countries.
Social implications
The author of the paper tried to develop a universal framework of the case study research that could be used in investigating the open data phenomenon not only in Kazakhstan but also in the context of other developing and transitional countries, especially in analyzing the apparitional emergence of the unique networking activities among the key stakeholders of the open data movement, i.e. policymakers, NGOs, businesses, developers, mass media and citizens. In addition, the results of the analysis could be used in testing the political and socioeconomic implications of the highly centralized e-government approach in the realization of the open data concept in a number of other typical unitary states.
Originality/value
In scientific works, the open data phenomenon is usually analyzed in the context of the most developed and democratic countries of the world with a vast majority of case studies being focused only on North America and Europe, forgetting that it is a global trend. In contrast to the traditional trends in the academic literature, the author of the paper studies the realization of the concept in an unusual context, resorting to the case study of a typical emerging and post-totalitarian nation such as Kazakhstan and focusing on the analysis of the key drivers and challenges in the diffusion of the open data concept in an attempt to answer the ultimate question: whether it is really harnessed by the members of civil society to promote civic engagement and e-participation.
Details
Keywords
Ardasher Namazbay Yussupov and Akmaral Ardasherovna Yussupova
The purpose of this article discusses the design of underground eco-houses using a dome structure of light construction while taking into account the historical experience of the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this article discusses the design of underground eco-houses using a dome structure of light construction while taking into account the historical experience of the development of the local population. This article considered the traditions of folk architecture and modern sophistication in the creation of energy-efficient eco-houses in foreign countries in the context of architecture and construction of affordable residential homes for the local population.
Design/methodology/approach
The research presented in this paper was motivated by the need for developing agro-tourism facilities in hard-to-reach areas of the Silk Road in Southern Kazakhstan causes the construction of eco-houses built using local construction materials. Since ancient times in Southern Kazakhstan and during seasonal migrations in yurts of light construction, people have lived in mud-brick houses deep in the ground. Along with architectural and artistic solutions in building construction, great importance was attached to saving material resources, labour costs and achieving heat stability of residential buildings.
Findings
In the architectural and planning solution of the eco¬-house, progressive directions of construction of agrotechnical structures using renewable energy sources are adopted. Particular importance was given to the choice of the construction site on an elevated area nearby historical monuments and a favourable season for the construction of eco-houses with considering the natural and climatic characteristics of rural areas of Southern Kazakhstan.
Research limitations/implications
This paper discussed the issues of insulation, ventilation and improving the eco-house microclimate comfort using local building materials. Improving the architectural and artistic expressiveness of the eco-house in terms of the tradition of folk architecture was also explicitly discussed in this paper.
Practical implications
Tables with the justification of expediency of construction of economical eco-houses in natural and climatic conditions of Kazakhstan and Central Asia are provided. The results help to improve the energy efficiency of eco-houses in Kazakhstan by using renewable energy sources.
Social implications
Social benefits are associated with the use of local raw materials. Eco-houses built from traditional building materials can become accessible to a wide range of people and stimulate the development of small businesses. This may be associated with the construction of eco-houses to serve visiting tourists in remote picturesque oases, as well as the manufacture of dome structures, felt products and the preparation of reed panels and so on.
Originality/value
The thermotechnical characteristics of the region's ground energy are given, which can significantly save the cost of heating the eco-house. Solutions for optimal insolation, ventilation of the eco-house are provided, taking into account the natural and climatic conditions of Southern Kazakhstan.
Details
Keywords
Nurlan Orazalin and Rassul Akhmetzhanov
This study aims to examine the effects of earnings management and audit quality on cost of debt of listed companies in Kazakhstan. The study also investigates the effects of audit…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the effects of earnings management and audit quality on cost of debt of listed companies in Kazakhstan. The study also investigates the effects of audit quality on earnings management and whether the relationship between earnings management and cost of debt is affected by audit quality in the context of a given emerging economy.
Design/methodology/approach
The study sample consists of public companies listed in the Kazakhstan Stock Exchange (KASE) from 2011 to 2016, and all data were obtained from audited financial statements and annual reports downloaded from the webpage of KASE. The study uses the cross-sectional ordinary least squares technique to test the impact of audit quality and earnings management on cost of debt.
Findings
The collected empirical evidence shows that earnings management is negatively related to cost of debt. The findings also indicate that higher audit quality leads to a lower cost of debt. However, the results suggest that audit quality has no impact on earnings management and that the effect of earnings management on cost of debt is not different for the companies audited by the Big Four and for the companies audited by other audit firms.
Practical implications
The findings of the study can be of interest to policy-makers, regulators, investors and practitioners in emerging markets with an institutional environment similar to that of Kazakhstan.
Originality/value
The study throws more light on the impact of earnings management and audit quality on cost of debt in Kazakhstan, representing the Central Asian region. This study also extends the current literature by providing empirical evidence that the relationship between earnings management and cost of debt is not affected by audit quality.
Details