Despite the policy pursued by the Head of State and the government to improve the current healthcare system and certain successes achieved, the quality and availability of services provided by medical organizations to the Kazakhstan population remain low. This is evidenced by statements by officials, as well as a survey of the population. This article examines the primary trends in healthcare development with a particular focus on the urban-rural divide and proposes strategies to enhance service quality and accessibility in rural areas. Given the complexity of the tasks, both theoretical and empirical research methods were used in the research process, in particular economic and statistical methods and structural and institutional analysis. A special role in the study belongs to a sociological survey, which made it possible to obtain information about the quality and availability of medical services for various groups of the population, depending on their place of residence. Based on a comprehensive study, the main trends in the development of healthcare in the republic in recent years have been identified. It has been determined that in the context of the availability of medical services, the main gap lies along the rural-urban line. Based on the identified problems, recommendations were developed to eliminate them and improve the quality of medical services. Further, the study explores the attitudes towards medical treatment based on the place of residence, leading to targeted proposals to enhance the quality and accessibility of medical care in rural areas.

This study conducts a comparative analysis of the socio-cultural environments across the regions of Kazakhstan, focusing on indicators of cultural infrastructure. The authors focus on considering the indicators of the cultural infrastructure of the regions. Utilizing data from the Bureau of National Statistics of the Republic of Kazakhstan, this research explores the dynamics and structural characteristics of these indicators from 1995 to 2022. The authors proposed using the multidimensional comparative analysis method to obtain a comprehensive rating assessment of the sociocultural environment of the regions. The central place in the study is the determination of regional ratings, reflecting the relative position of each region based on the development of its socio-cultural environment. These rankings offer valuable information to policymakers, stakeholders, and researchers alike, enabling informed decisions and targeted interventions to promote balanced socio-cultural progress across Kazakhstan. This study contributes to the understanding of the socio-cultural development of Kazakhstan by providing a detailed analysis of regional differences and the dynamics of changes in their leading indicators. The author's approach to assessing the development of the socio-cultural environment of the regions of Kazakhstan proposed in the article can be considered by researchers in this field as a convenient and reliable analysis tool. The results of the study emphasize the importance of a multidimensional approach to assessing and solving socio-cultural problems and open up opportunities for an inclusive approach in developing a strategy for the development of the socio-cultural environment of the regions of Kazakhstan.

The frequent visits to doctors and their impact on healthcare providers' workload is a significant concern in many countries, including Kazakhstan, where this topic has been understudied. This research aimed to identify key socio-economic factors influencing the frequency and likelihood of individuals seeking medical care. Utilizing sociological, statistical, and comparative research methods, we conducted a survey involving 1838 participants across 20 regions in Kazakhstan. Our statistical analysis included the calculation of Pearson and Kendall correlation coefficients to evaluate relationships between variables such as the frequency of doctor visits and individuals' health assessment practices, their attentiveness to health, and their responses to illness. The findings reveal that individuals who are proactive in seeking medical advice when symptoms appear also tend to visit doctors more frequently throughout the year. Moreover, socioeconomic factors such as drug costs, demographic characteristics, and travel time to medical facilities were identified as influencing factors, albeit to a lesser extent compared to health status assessment and medical examinations.  This study provides a foundational understanding of the factors driving medical visits in Kazakhstan, highlighting the interplay between personal health practices and healthcare utilization. This insight is crucial for planning and optimizing healthcare resource allocation and addressing healthcare accessibility and inequality. The study did not identify any significant limitations for future research.

Responsible production (RP) aims to minimize negative consequences of active economic growth by producing and using resource-efficient and energy-efficient products and processes that have a minimal negative impact on the environment and are safe for employees, the community, and consumers. Despite the relevance of the RP concept, there are no systematic literature reviews containing thematic mapping and thematic evolution of research in this area. Therefore, this study aims to identify relevant research areas, research interests' current state and evolution, and potential future research directions on RP topics. A systematic review approach and content analysis were applied to achieve the study's aim. To conduct a systematic review, a search was carried out for keywords such as “responsible production" OR “sustainable production”. Then, further filtering by such criteria as subject category, document type, and publication language took place. As a result, bibliographic data from 858 papers became a research basis for descriptive analysis. Data were derived from the Scopus database. The Biblioshiny tool was used for systematic review. Finally, the most relevant research areas were identified, including sustainable supply chains, consumer behavior in the context of RP, and the impact of Industry 4.0 on the realization of RP principles. According to the systematic review results, scientific activity in RP research has increased significantly. The role of supply chain management in achieving RP principles is notable. The environmental aspects of RP, environmental management, and environmental performance are particularly relevant.

The article examines the impact mechanisms of urbanization on the sustainable development of territories, as evidenced by 85 regions of the Russian Federation. An abstract logical approach was used to summarize the key provisions of the sustainable development concept and evaluate the relevance of specific indicators. Econometric and statistical methods were applied for statistical data collection and analysis to assess the considered factors. Hypotheses and assumptions were employed to assess the investigated factors and perform regression analysis through economic and mathematical modeling methods. The presence of a moderate positive relationship between the level of regional sustainable development and the share of urban population and the total population in the region was revealed. It has been assumed that the indices of regional sustainable development should encompass indicators characterizing rural areas to estimate urban-rural development proportions. Greater emphasis should be put on the effective coordination of urban and rural development and the assessment of economic, institutional, infrastructural, environmental, and other conditions at the level of rural local communities. The latter have scarce opportunities for sustainable socio-economic development due to remoteness from urban centers (depopulation, aging population, poverty, unemployment, low quality of life, digital divide, etc.). This is urgent for the Russian Federation's sustainable development, considering its spatial extent and territorial heterogeneity.

The accelerating pace of globalization and digital transformation presents significant challenges and opportunities for higher education institutions, particularly in regions undergoing rapid economic and educational transformations such as the Caspian area. This study examines the implementation of innovative educational methodologies within the Erasmus PICASP Project, specifically focusing on the integration of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) and Practice Enterprises (PE) to enhance university-business collaboration in the Caspian area. By leveraging MOOCs for scalable, flexible learning and PEs for hands-on business management experience, the project fosters critical skills such as problem-solving, teamwork, and adaptability. There are covered the project's framework, educational approaches, and the potential impacts of these methods on the education landscape management, highlighting the shift towards multidisciplinary learning environments that integrate digital technologies. The project reported improved student engagement, enhanced practical skills, and increased employability of graduates. The findings highlight the importance of integrating local contexts with global educational standards to enhance employability and competitiveness, particularly in regions with diverse economic and educational landscapes. Furthermore, future research can contribute to the ongoing development and refinement of educational and cultural tools, ensuring they remain effective and relevant in an ever-evolving global landscape.

This study investigates the satisfaction of public servants in Kazakhstan with their current monetary and non-monetary incentives. A block of questions on these aspects of public service motivation is part of a significant study on Kazakhstani civil service transformation. Furthermore, the research paper determines public officials’ commitment to financially tangible or intangible motivation tools. The theoretical part examines various aspects of motivation and its types and provides an overview of the state-of-the-art public service motivation theory. At the same time, the practical part reveals both general patterns at the country and organization level and individual characteristics of the civil servant's motivation. The survey was conducted within a month, from April 19 to May 20, 2023. About 10,942 representatives of central and local public authorities participated in the survey. The more significant share of respondents (41%) pointed to the “desire to be useful to the state” as one of the main goals of entering the public system and serving the people. At the same time, according to practitioners, the Top-3 issues resist the attraction and retention of public sector professionals. There are low wages (75%), motivation (55%), and lack of competency (45%) of civil servants. Based on the regression analysis results, the group of non-financial incentives received the most outstanding commitment compared to monetary motivation tools. Particularly, the social status and agency activities serve as a basis for further research and policy recommendations.

The relevance of this study is underscored by the critical role of foreign trade in Kazakhstan's national economy, particularly in agricultural and livestock products. This research aims to comprehensively analyze the relationship between exported and imported agricultural and livestock product quantities and their respective USD values. The methodology employed includes regression analysis of Kazakhstan's trade data spanning from 2018 to 2022, focusing on evaluating these relationships' statistical significance and strength. This study's main findings underscore the audience's crucial role in implementing the study's recommendations. Import and export volumes have a profound impact, with particularly strong effects observed in the food and livestock sectors. While the export volumes of agricultural products do not significantly influence their trade values, import volumes exhibit a strong correlation. These insights emphasize the necessity for the audience's involvement in multifaceted approaches in trade policy and strategy development to foster sustainable economic growth in Kazakhstan. The study's recommendations for revising and optimizing trade strategies can enhance the efficiency and resilience of the national economy, improve policy-making and economic planning, and leverage these insights better to understand the dynamics of Kazakhstan's trade activities. The findings advocate for strategic investments in trade infrastructure, diversification of the export base, and fostering an attractive investment climate to leverage the benefits of increased trade turnover for sustainable economic development. This comprehensive approach will ensure Kazakhstan's robust integration into the global market, fostering long-term economic resilience and growth.

This study aims to investigate the direct impact of internal auditing (IA) on financial performance (FP) and its indirect effect mediated through an internal control system (ICS). The examination utilizes responses from 257 professionals in roles such as accountant, financial manager, financial controller, financial auditor, or head of an internal audit unit within a selected sample of firms in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Utilizing PLS modeling for analysis, the study reveals a significant direct influence of IA on FP. Additionally, the study demonstrates that IA, through its impact on ICS, contributes to the enhancement of FP. The mediation of ICS between IA and FP in Saudi firms was tested and found to be partial. Notably, the indirect influence of IA on FP was observed to be more pronounced than its direct influence. Researchers have argued that independent IA plays a vital role in supporting firms’ ability to maintain and improve performance, and in this study the role of IA is tested in relation to mediating FP through improved ICS. The findings suggest that firms should emphasize the importance of IA in their strategic planning and resource allocation to enhance their overall financial health. Furthermore, the results highlight the necessity for continuous training and development for IA professionals to ensure they are equipped with the latest skills and knowledge to effectively improve ICS and, consequently, FP. Based on our findings and in support of the proposed model, we concluded that IA improved ICS, which, in turn improved FP. Hence, it is necessary for firms to solicit adequate independent IA to improve ICS, with the further goal of improving FP.

By reducing reliance on fossil fuels, green energy projects mitigate climate change by lowering carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions. They push governments and society to transition to renewable energy production by implementing high-risk green energy projects more effectively. This study evaluates how risk management processes affect the efficiency of green projects in Kazakhstan, identifying critical risk management processes that can increase their success. The methodology is based on data collected from 66 experts in Kazakhstan's green energy sector. Using multilinear regression analysis, the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) standard was applied to evaluate the relationship between risk management processes and project efficiency dimensions. The findings show a positive correlation between cost overrun and project performance with the implementation of risk management processes. The statistical significance levels underscore the importance of these findings. The lack of statistical significance for schedule overrun, combined with the low rate of qualitative risk analysis and monitoring among local managers, highlights a deficiency in proactive risk management, leaving projects vulnerable to adverse impacts. These findings impact project management professionals and organizations involved in sustainable energy initiatives, providing valuable insights to enhance their risk management processes. This study paves the way for future research by adding more respondents and using other risk analysis methods, opening new avenues for improving risk management in green energy projects.