This study examines the development of the digital economy and society in the Republic of Kazakhstan by combining international benchmarking with a context-specific national framework. It highlights the limitations of existing global indices such as DESI, NRI, and EGDI in capturing the structural and institutional dimensions of digital transformation in emerging economies. To address this gap, the study introduces a novel composite metric, the Index of Digital Economy Development (IDED), which integrates five sub-indices: infrastructure, usage, human capital, economic digitization, and transformation effectiveness. The methodology involves comparative index analysis, the construction of the IDED, and statistical validation through a public opinion survey and regression modeling. Key findings indicate that cybersecurity is a critical yet under-represented component of digital development, showing strong empirical correlations with DESI scores in benchmark countries. The results also highlight Kazakhstan’s strengths in digital public services and internet access, contrasted with weaknesses in business digitization and innovation. The proposed IDED offers a more comprehensive and policy-relevant tool for assessing digital progress in transitional economies. This study contributes to the literature by proposing a replicable index structure and providing empirical evidence for the inclusion of cybersecurity in national digital economy assessments. The aim of the study is to assess Kazakhstan’s digital economy development by addressing limitations in global measurement frameworks. Methodologically, it combines comparative index analysis, the construction of a national composite index (IDED), and statistical validation using a regional survey and regression analysis. The findings reveal both strengths and gaps in Kazakhstan’s digital landscape, particularly in cybersecurity and SME digitalization. The IDED introduces an innovative, context-sensitive framework that enhances the measurement of digital transformation in transitional economies.

The aim of this study is to demonstrate the capabilities of the Jamovi software in analyzing complex economic models, using the case of examining the impact of various factors on enterprise innovation activity. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was employed to identify both direct and mediated relationships among economic and digital infrastructure, factors related to research and development (R&D), and innovation activity. The analysis results confirmed the positive impact of economic infrastructure on the level of R&D and the innovation activity of enterprises, as well as the mediating role of R&D factors in transmitting the effects of infrastructure. Meanwhile, the influence of digital infrastructure was found to be weak, highlighting the need for further development of digital technologies and their integration into economic activities. The findings and methodology of the study can be utilized to enhance the competitiveness of enterprises and to develop effective measures for state support of innovation activities in various regions.

Спутниковые системы и цифровые технологии в сельском хозяйстве: состояние, проблемы, профессиональные компетенции

The purpose of the article is to evaluate the effectiveness of the "green" growth policy pursued at the regional level. An analysis of various approaches to assessing the sustainability of the socio-economic development of the region is presented. To achieve this purpose, a comprehensive methodology was used, considering territorial factors and sectoral conditions for the development of the regions. Domestic and foreign experience in assessing the sustainability and effectiveness of the territory development were analyzed. Existing methods for assessing the region stability are studied. An integral indicator of sustainable development of the region is calculated, which includes indicators of economic, environmental, and social sustainability. The typology of Kazakhstan regions has been carried out according to the level of their environmental and economic development for the purposes of developing an effective environmental and innovation policy. It has been proved that the list of socio-economic indicators used in the calculation of the integral index makes it possible to determine with a sufficient degree of certainty the effectiveness of the ongoing regional development policy from the standpoint of observing the principles of "green" growth. It has been revealed that the modern model of socio-economic development of the country and its regions requires further efforts to develop adequate indicators of "green" development that consider economic, social and environmental components in a balanced way. The empirical conclusions of the work can find practical application in the process of developing an effective environmental and economic regional policy.

Engineering education is undergoing a profound transformation driven by rapid technological advancement, industrial digitalization, and the global transition to Industry 4.0. In Kazakhstan, as in many post-Soviet economies, engineering programs face mounting pressure to align with labor market demands and contribute to regional development. Yet a persistent gap remains between graduate competencies and employer expectations in the real sector. This study investigates the key factors shaping engineering education in the East Kazakhstan Region, with a focus on aligning educational outcomes with labor market needs. Universities and industrial enterprises are considered core stakeholders. The research aims to identify the root causes of competency mismatches, assess the adaptability of higher education to industrial transformation, and offer practical recommendations for improvement. A mixedmethods design was employed, combining a structured stakeholder survey (n = 146), expert validation, policy analysis, and a review of secondary data. Internal consistency was confirmed using Cronbach’s Alpha (α = 0.91), and exploratory factor analysis (EFA) in Jamovi identified two principal components accounting for over 70% of the variance. Key findings point to limited university–industry collaboration, outdated curricula, and inadequate career guidance systems as the main barriers. The study concludes with strategic recommendations to strengthen the capacity of regional universities to produce graduates who are better equipped for Industry 4.0.