ASSESSMENT AND IDENTIFICATION OF THE POSSIBILITY FOR CREATING IT CLUSTERS IN Kazakhstan REGIONS1

The paper is devoted to the development of general methodological approaches to evaluate and identify the possibility for creating IT clusters in Kazakhstan regions. The present study considers the formation of IT clusters as growth poles. These poles are based on the establishing the groups of interconnected companies and institutions in IT industry linked by commonalities. The analysis of previous literature has shown that this approach is a novel approach to IT clusters formation. The study employs methods, which focus on analyzing and identifying IT clusters in the interests of innovative development and the possibility of spreading information technology in Kazakhstan regions. We propose the methodological tools for presenting a standard form to assess innovative potential and industry specialization. This assessment allows to objectively and realistically define a potentially important region for creating IT cluster. The empirical analysis has identified certain trends in possibilities to create IT clusters in the cities of Almaty and Astana. Therefore, these regions play the role of specialized platforms for a new generation. This platform is to provide a multiplier effect on the development of the agglomeration and located in close territories or periphery. The results of this research can be used to elaborate important strategic documents in the field of the development of the IT industry, digital technology, knowledge-based and high-tech sectors in Kazakhstan on the way to Industry 4.0. © 2018 Institute of Economics, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved

Анализ влияния информационно-коммуникационных технологий в регионах Казахстана

Цель данного исследования - оценить влияние информационно-коммуникационных технологий (ИКТ) на экономический рост в различных регионах Казахстана. Для анализа взаимосвязи показателей были применены такие комплексные методы, как систематизация статистических данных и регрессионный анализ, проведенный при помощи программного обеспечения STATA. В качестве источника послужили данные Всемирного банка, Международного союза электросвязи и статистического ежегодника Казахстана. На основе информации за 2007-2018 гг. была проведена оценка влияния ИКТ (использованы показатели доступа к интернету в организациях, количества компьютеров и стационарных телефонов) на экономический рост. Выявленные различия в скорости внедрения и развития ИКТ в регионах свидетельствуют о том, что наименее развитые территории по-прежнему отстают по количеству интернет-пользователей. Сделаны следующие выводы: снижение стоимости нефти и последующий экономический спад в 2014 г. привели к ослаблению национальной валюты; распространение мобильных устройств привело к снижению спроса на стационарные телефоны; начиная с 2014 г. количество компьютеров в организациях влияет на экономический рост в более развитых регионах, в то время как отрицательный эффект доступа к интернету растет. Полученные результаты могут быть использованы для разработки стратегий развития, для сравнения экономического роста в регионах с низкими, средними и высокими темпами развития.The research aims to assess the impact of information and communication technology (ICT) on economic growth in different regions of Kazakhstan. A few basic complex methods, such as systematisation of statistical data and regression analysis, conducted using the STATA software package, were used to analyse the relationship of indicators in different periods. Based on data for the period 2007-2018 obtained from the World Bank, the International Telecommunication Union and statistical yearbook of Kazakhstan, we assess how ICT, expressed by such indicators as Internet access in organisations, the number of computers and fixed telephones, influences economic growth. Our analysis revealed differences in the speed of implementation and development of ICT depending on the region, meaning that the least developed territories still lag in the number of Internet users. We have concluded that since 2014, the country’s currency has weakened due to the decrease in the cost of oil and consequent economic decline; mobile devices are increasingly used, reducing the demand for fixed telephones; computers in organisations are affecting economic growth in more developed regions since 2014, although the negative effect of Internet access is growing, as the model shows. The obtained results can used for strategy development to compare economic growth in regions with low, medium, and high development rates.Исследование выполнено в рамках проекта грантового финансирования ИРН № AP08052745 «Влияние науки на социально-экономическое развитие Казахстана: методология, модели оценки и сценарии развития».The article has been prepared with the support of the grant-funding project IRN No. AP08052745 “The science impact on Kazakhstan’s socio-economic development: methodology, assessment models and development scenarios”