Towards a Comparative, Interdisciplinary and Applied Ethnological Perspective on Entrepreneurship in the IT- and Green Economy Industries of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan

The ‘Equitable and Sustainable Horizons’ project focuses on advancing ESG training and implementation across Kazakhstan, targeting the development of 500 SME owners as master trainers in ten project locations. These master trainers are tasked with further disseminating their knowledge to an additional 2,500 local entrepreneurs, substantially expanding the reach and impact of ESG standards. This initiative places a strong emphasis on inclusivity, ensuring diverse community sectors are engaged and benefit from the training. By integrating Abai Kunanbayev’s philosophical insights, the project enhances the cultural relevance of its approach, aligning ESG principles with local values and practices. This strategic integration aims to foster ethical leadership, promote sustainable business practices, and drive significant socio-economic growth throughout Kazakhstan.

Professors Philipp Schroder (Principal Investigator) and Shumaila Yousafzai (Co-Principal Investigator) have been awarded a Collaborative Research Project (CRP) grant for "Towards a Comparative, Interdisciplinary, and Applied Ethnological Perspective on Entrepreneurship in the IT and Green Economy Industries of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan"(Grant No. 11024CRP2001).

This ambitious project aims to highlight the unique value of an ethnological perspective in understanding entrepreneurship.

Using a mixed-methods approach, the research will collect comparative data and foster theory-building that resonates with the entrepreneurial ecosystems of the IT and Green Economy sectors in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

Beyond its academic significance, the project is designed to create meaningful socio-economic impact. By closely integrating with public and private sector practitioners, it aims to provide actionable insights and policy recommendations that could transform the region's entrepreneurial landscape.

This initiative not only reinforces NURCE’s commitment to cutting-edge research but also strengthens its role in shaping sustainable and technologically advanced entrepreneurial ecosystems in Central Asia.