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The Nazarbayev University Graduate School of Business aspires to become recognized as the leading school in Central Asia in the coming years. We intend to be known for the quality of our education, the impact of our research, our international orientation, and our meaningful engagement with the business community.
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Item Open Access AN EFFECTIVE AGRICULTURAL STRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT OF AGRO-INDUSTRIAL HOLDING THESIS PROJECTS(Nazarbayev University Graduate School of Business, 2016-11) Li, DmitriyKazakhstan is an agro industrial country and one of the largest grain powers in the world. The area of grain crops is more than eighteen million hectares including twelve million hectares for wheat crops, which provide approximately six thousands tons of gross harvest annually. Another six million hectares are for crops such as corn, rice, oats, barley, buckwheat, cotton, sunflower, fruits, and vegetables...Item Restricted AN ANALYSIS OF CREDIT DECISIONS FOR CONSUMER LOANS ON AN ONLINE PLATFORM USING TRADITIONAL AND MACHINE LEARNING TECHNIQUES(Nazarbayev University, Graduate School of Business, 2022-12-21) Kuandykova, SymbatThis paper is aimed to analyse the secondary bank credit scoring mechanism using the historical data of the existing loan applications of the borrowers through traditional logistic regression and machine learning techniques. The historical data include the four-month long loan application by the clients and consists of the data of borrower’s age, sex, region, mobile model, loan overdue information, whether the borrower has a tax debt and whether the bank has refused to provide a loan to a specific client or not. In this paper, the different methodologies and the importance of machine learning in credit scoring nowadays is discussed first. Then, the description of the data and the methodology used is presented. The results include the logistic regression analysis of the variables and the check on the significance of the variable in decision-making in credit scoring. Lastly, using logistic regression and machine learning (xgboost), I was able to identify which of the strategies are better in determining the area under the curve.Item Restricted AN ASSESSMENT OF TRIANGULAR ARBITRAGE OPPORTUNITIES BETWEEN CRYPTOCURRENCY AND FIAT CURRENCY EXCHANGES. PREDICTORS AND FINANCIAL RATIONALE(Nazarbayev University, Graduate School of Business, 2021-12-21) Almen, Anar; Zhaipanov, Dosmukhamed; Dauletkhanuly, YeldosThis study assesses the eventual existence of triangular arbitrages between crypto and fiat currencies and analyzes economic factors which might contribute to the appearance of such opportunities. In particular, the authors look at core alphas of arbitrage based on crypto to fiat exchanges in two different crypto open source exchanges. By examining the existence of any statistically significant alphas, we find that this opportunity exists and might be exploitable for the US based exchange, Coinmarketcap. Similarly, triangular arbitrage exists, but are much smaller in the Coingecko exchange. This finding demonstrates the existence of discrepancies between exchanges. Furthermore, regression analyses indicate that Bitcoin is more sensitive to commodity prices changes as compared to Ethereum. In addition, we find that google searches related to cryptocurrencies are a strong predictor of arbitrage opportunities in triangular sets including Ethereum. In contrast, google trend aggregator data had almost no effect on Bitcoin containing exchange triplets. Additionally, proximity to the market plays a significant role in determining impact of central bank monthly T-bill rate on quotation volatility and subsequent arbitrage opportunities.Item Restricted ASTANA HUB COMMERCIALIZATION PROJECT(Nazarbayev University, Graduate School of Business, 2022-12-14) Aubakir, Ablaikhan; Kalmuratova, Aigerim; Nurzhaubayeva, Aishabibi; Adilkhan, ArslanThis paper examines alternatives and recommendations for the commercialization of the international IT technopark "Astana Hub". Astana Hub established in 2018 operates on the basis of government funding and provides its services on a free-of-charge basis. To become a self-sustainable organization, the technopark plans gradual commercialization via the provision of paid services. Investigating data from interviews with heads of Astana Hub structural units, materials on Astana Hub services and products, financial statements, and essentially study on commercialization models of similar technoparks around the world, this study demonstrates that Astana Hub possesses the necessary resources and services for commercialization. The analysis showed that Astana Hub's currently available products ensure several commercialization options. The most viable options could be the adjustment of the current revenue generation model, switching the business incubation program's compensation from Revenue Sharing to an Equity Stake model, and establishing a syndicate investing initiative with Astana Hub's partners. The paper provides recommendations for commercialization model and key measures for its successful implementation.Item Open Access BECOMING THE MARKET LEADER IN EXECUTIVE PROGRAMS IN KAZAKHSTAN: PROSPECTS AND CHALLENGES.(Nazarbayev University Graduate School of Business, 2016-11) Stambekova, AnelThe general outlook of the Executive education market in Kazakhstan is positive: more people are investing in education and career development. However, due to economic instability in the country, people now are more concerned about obtaining value for money. In other words, their criteria for choosing an educational program will be the quality of education they are getting for the price they are paying.Item Restricted BEELINE KAZAKHSTAN IOT SOLUTION FOR AUTOINSURERS(Nazarbayev University, Graduate School of Business, 2019-12-10) Makatova, Aisulu; Zhanguttinova, Assem; Akhmet, Aibek; Mamyrbayev, UalikhanThis paper intends to help Beeline Kazakhstan in expanding its portfolio of Internet of Things solutions to businesses in Kazakhstan. First part of the report compares alternatives on the market of IoT and evaluates the Connected Cars for usage-based insurance market as a chosen opportunity. The second part of the report delivers an analysis of the commercial viability of the project, outlines the value proposition to stakeholders and offers market entry strategies. The main issue associated with the project is the initial costliness of the offered solution through third-party partners that reduces the project’s commercial viability. The final recommendation for the company includes communicating value created to car drivers and insurance companies, giving data-driven recommendations for the product, price, place and promotion and offering additional ways to monetize offered solutions.Item Open Access BRINGING EXCITEMENT TO EMPIRICAL BUSINESS ETHICS RESEARCH: THOUGHTS ON THE FUTURE OF BUSINESS ETHICS(Journal of Business Ethics, 2022-09-15) Babalola, Mayowa T.; Bal, Matthijs; Cho, Charles H.; Garcia‑Lorenzo, Lucia; Guedhami, Omrane; Liang, Hao; Shailer, Greg; Gils, Suzanne vanTo commemorate 40 years since the founding of the Journal of Business Ethics, the editors-in-chief of the journal have invited the editors to provide commentaries on the future of business ethics. This essay comprises a selection of commentaries aimed at creating dialog around the theme Bringing Excitement to Empirical Business Ethics Research (inspired by the title of the commentary by Babalola and van Gils). These editors, considering the diversity of empirical approaches in business ethics, envisage a future in which quantitative business ethics research is more bold and innovative, as well as reflexive about its techniques, and dialog between quantitative and qualitative research nourishes the enrichment of both. In their commentary, Babalola and van Gils argue that leadership research has stagnated with the use of too narrow a range of perspectives and methods and too many overlapping concepts. They propose that novel insights could be achieved by investigating the lived experience of leadership (through interviews, document analysis, archival data); by focusing on topics of concern to society; by employing different personal, philosophical, or cultural perspectives; and by turning the lens on the heroic leader (through “dark-side” and follower studies). Taking a provocative stance, Bal and Garcia-Lorenzo argue that we need radical voices in current times to enable a better understanding of the psychology underlying ethical transformations. Psychology can support business ethics by not shying away from grander ideas, going beyond the margins of “unethical behaviors harming the organization” and expanding the range of lenses used to studying behavior in context. In the arena of finance and business ethics, Guedhami, Liang, and Shailer emphasize novel data sets and innovative methods. Significantly, they stress that an understanding the intersection of finance and ethics is central to business ethics; financial equality and inclusion are persistent socio-economic and political concerns that are not always framed as ethics issues, yet relevant business policies and practices manifest ethical values. Finally, Charles Cho offers his opinion on the blurry line between the “ethical” versus “social” or “critical” aspects of accounting papers. The Journal of Business Ethics provides fertile ground for innovative, even radical, approaches to quantitative methods (see Zyphur and Pierides in J Bus Ethics 143(1):1–16, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-017-3549-8, 2017), as part of a broad goal of ethically reflecting on empirical research.Item Open Access BUILDING CHARACTER: THE FORMATION OF A HYBRID ORGANIZATIONAL IDENTITY IN A SOCIAL ENTERPRISE(Wiley, 2020-09) Cornelissen, Joep P.; Akemu, Ona; Jonkman, Jeroen G. F.; Werner, Mirjam D.The formation of a hybrid organizational identity is a significant challenge for many social enterprises. Drawing on in-depth longitudinal data from the first three years of a successful social enterprise – Fairphone, founded in Amsterdam – we induce an empirically grounded theoretical model of how a hybrid organizational identity is formed. We identify a general process of organizational identity formation, with founders, leaders and members experimenting with different organizational characters describing ‘who they are’ as well as with alternative social impact strategies defining ‘what they do’. As part of this experimental process, we elaborate the role of a key leadership process – ‘rekeying’, which involves leaders re-figuring prior understandings into more dual readings – which we found facilitates ongoing adaptation and helps members of the organization to become progressively better able at combining multiple objectives and values as part of a shared hybrid identity. Our theoretical model of hybrid organizational identity formation has a number of direct implications for ongoing research on organizational identity formation and hybrid organizations.Item Open Access BUILDING COHESIVE TEAMS—THE ROLE OF LEADERS’ BOTTOM-LINE MENTALITY AND BEHAVIOR(Sustainability, 2021-07-19) Riisla, Katrin; Wendt, Hein; Babalola, Mayowa T.; Euwema, MartinTeam cohesiveness plays a crucial role in effective teamwork, innovation, and improved performance, and as such, its development among team members is an essential part of team management. However, it may be disregarded by leaders with a high bottom-line mentality (BLM; a single-minded focus on the bottom line at the expense of other values or priorities). These leaders may show little interest in other priorities, such as ethical, social, or environmental considerations, and may be tempted to push their followers to go above and beyond what is expected, even if it means bending the rules, cutting corners, or engaging in other ethically problematic behaviors. We argue that although a team leader’s BLM may motivate followers to come together around the pursuit of a common goal, it may come at the expense of nurturing healthy interpersonal relationships, trust, and other important social resources within the team. Specifically, we argue that the way leaders with a high BLM approach their goals may affect team cohesiveness, and that it is particularly negative for female leaders. Using a large multi-national study, we found that this happens through increased directive and lowered participative leader behaviors.Item Restricted BUSINESS PLAN FOR “SHEKSIZ ALEM” PROJECT BY “GREEN TAL LLC” COMPANY AND IMPROVEMENT OF ITS MANAGERIAL EFFECTIVENESS THROUGH MOTIVATION OF EMPLOYEES(Nazarbayev University, Graduate School of Business, 2019-12-10) Sarsenbayeva, Aigul; Kussainova, Assel; Shalakhmetova, Zarina; Kulzhanova, ZhanarThis practicum project aims at providing “Green TAL” LLC company (referred further as Green TAL) with a research on profitability of an expansion project and developing a business plan, as well as at resolving some existing issues with regard to motivation of employees and improving management relationship with employees. “Green TAL LLC” is a unique and a pioneer company in the area of social entrepreneurship in Astana that sets as its main task as to create jobs for disabled and disadvantaged people. The company was established in 2015. It went through certain transformations and currently is looking for an expansion as well as on improvement of its managerial effectiveness. Expansion project represents a plan on construction of a new detached site, at present Green TAL is located in a daytime healthcentre for mentally disabled people. This site will include workshops, mushroom incubator, a dormitory for freshmen, a training centre and a canteen. Workshops will be expanded. This will be achieved through training and employment of people from vulnerable social groups (people with disabilities, graduates from orphanages, single mothers, ex-convicts) with potential employment in total of about 110 people. The business plan that our team has developed quantifies profitability of the new expansion project. To assess project’s profitability, as well its ability to meet its operation expenditures, we use the concept of net present value (NPV). It was found out that NPV of the project is 7.7 mln KZT. However this withstands only in case Green TAL will be able to find sufficient number of orders. Therefore proper marketing strategy should be developed and implemented. To ensure profitability we also recommend for Green TAL to order market research about its products and hire specialist on marketing and sales, technical consultations/audit. Given the NPV and social benefit of the project, we conclude that the project should be undertaken and it will be attractive to the local government and potential investors/donors. After ensuring allocation by local authorities a land for construction of the site, Green TAL should start approaching potential investors/donors and launch negotiation process with them. For the purposes of conducting research on how to improve managerial effectiveness we had developed a questionnaire on motivation of employees and their feelings towards management. Then based on this questionnaire we conducted face-to-face interviews with 24 employees in all existing workshops. As a result of the interview sessions we concluded that most of employees, especially mentally disabled, satisfied with the current situation. Financial benefit is not their main motivator. They look for stability, sense of belonging to a community, self dependence and capability in earning money, sense of being needed, learning new skills, and fair treatment as equals not disabled. Thus in order to enhance employee motivation we recommend conducting on a regular basis team building events and trainings including on basic literacy, and provide face-to-face sessions with psychologists, especially for those with alcohol addiction, and workshops on creativity. In order to ensure good quality of work, to use encouragement and stimulation, including financial, rather than financial punishment.Item Restricted BUSINESS STRATEGY FOR THE TREEPLE STARTUP EXPANSION IN KAZAKHSTAN(Nazarbayev University, Graduate School of Business, 2023-11-23) Asselya, Bizhanova; Gulnaz, Dyussupzhanova; Madina, Balashova; Nazerke, KarebayevaThis report presents an analysis of the Treeple company, a travel marketplace based in Kazakhstan, as the part of a practicum project conducted by the Master of Business Administration students of Nazarbayev University Graduate School of Business. Treeple is a travel marketplace platform established in early 2023 in Kazakhstan. It operates as a service connecting local tour operators with potential customers. It is a seed-stage startup that faces challenges such as low brand awareness, high customer acquisition cost, low retention rate and operational difficulties. The project focuses on the expansion strategy of Treeple in Kazakhstan. The aim of the project is to identify possible strategic directions for development and increase profitability. Firstly, we analyzed the tourism industry in Kazakhstan. It allowed us to identify the current state of local tourism. We conducted the survey among foreigners and citizens to identify the general attitude and trends in local tourism. Secondly, we analyzed the company’s internal processes and competitors. We also conducted interviews with Treeple partners to know the Treeple’s share in their revenue and to identify tour operators' needs. The CEO of the company had an idea to offer products like customized CRM for tour operators, white label websites, data analytics about travel trends, connection of tour operators with service providers, and quality verification. Based on the interviews, we identified 3 the lack of interest for such kinds of products. We calculated the income statement and NPV of the company by using the data given by the CEO of the company. We calculated the average customer acquisition cost and average customer lifetime value. Finally, as a result, we developed recommendations and classified them into categories such as commission, marketing, value creation for customers, operations, and additional revenue streams. The new NPV calculation was developed based on our recommendations.Item Restricted BUSSINES PARK IN ATYRAU(Nazarbayev University Graduate School of Business, 2016-11) Amangaleyev, SerikThis thesis presents a Business Park project (hereinafter referred to as BP) located in Atyrau, Kazakhstan. The objective of BP is to create a plan for a new business in Kazakhstan.BP will provide comprehensive support for client operating in production and construction that deal with explosive materials (oil and gas production and refining, coal, etc.). Our support will be provided in four main areas: - Creation of an Educational Center for training and certification of electrical and instrumentation personnel; - Conducting inspections of explosion-proof equipment; - Providing consultations by highly qualified specialists; - Operation of a service center for repair and overhaul of explosion-proof equipment.Item Restricted CARBON FOOTPRINT IN THE INDUSTRY OF EURASIAN RESOURCE GROUP (ERG) REC AND DEVELOPMENT OF ITS STRATEGY MODEL(Nazarbayev University, Graduate School of Business, 2022-12-14) Abbas, Syed Muhammad; Atti, Daystar Selorm; Dana, KanafinaThis paper sheds light on potential solutions to an ever-growing problem of Carbon Dioxide CO2 emissions due to their adverse effects on the climate and business activities. The case in the picture is Eurasian Resources Group (ERG) - one of the top industrial enterprises in Kazakhstan. It was founded in December 1995 as one of the world's largest and most diversified businesses in mining and processing natural resources. It has fully integrated energy, transportation, and marketing operations. As of 2021, the group’s collective emissions stood at 31.5 million tonnes of CO2. Since ERG exports its products to the outside world, mainly European Countries, its business is widely affected by the laws and regulations of the importing countries. One such regulation is the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism by European Parliament which drew guidelines from the Paris Agreement supervised by the United Nations. As the scrutiny and regulations increase on carbon emissions, countries and jurisdictions are popping up with the penalizing mechanism known as Carbon Pricing or Tax. Many European countries have applied Carbon taxes that range from 1-114 Euros per tonne of CO2. To avoid these taxes, ERG needs to develop ways to reduce its emissions that would allow it to grow further by saving these carbon expenses. There can be several approaches to emissions reduction. For example, the largest source of emissions is the energy generated by coal-fired power plants. If somehow that source is replaced with green energy (Solar, Wind, Hydro, Biofuels), a significant chunk of emissions would disappear. However, due to a lack of infrastructure, it is not now possible to 2 eliminate fossil fuel-based energy. We have looked at alternative ways to reduce emissions and persisted in implementing carbon capture technologies to mitigate the problem for ERG. Over the last decade, several mega players in the industry have increasingly adopted Carbon Capture. To conduct this research, we got secondary data from the ERG and interviewed companies that provide services in the carbon capture space. Three companies were brought to initial and ongoing discussions through email and video conferencing based on the requirements, compatibility, and technical feasibility. The companies are named CO2 Capsol, Carbon Clean, and CO2 Solutions by Saipem. So far, we have received initial pricing from CO2 Capsol and are awaiting responses from Carbon Clean and CO2 Solutions by Saipem. Once we get an answer from all the inquired companies, then after comparing in terms of price, capacity, efficiency, and other technical metrics, ERG will be able to achieve its long-term strategic vision of reducing carbon emissions by using the expertise of the above-mentioned top companies in the carbon capture sphere. It will also help ERG to boost its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) scores, allowing it further get investments and strengthen stakeholders’ support. As it is a work in progress, the study and communication between the companies will materialize into an effective solution in the coming years.Item Open Access CEOs’ appraisals of venture capitalists’ external and internal support: a transaction cost economics perspective(Venture Capital, 2016) Khanin, Dmitry; Turel, OfirPrevious research has established that, in addition to provision of financing, venture capitalists (VCs) may add value to new ventures via different types of management support. In this paper, we propose that transaction cost economics (TCE) may complement other theoretical frameworks (e.g., agency theory, the resource-based view, knowledge-based theory, and resource dependence perspective) in explaining CEOs’ polar and ambivalent appraisals of the benefits and costs of different types of VC support and the overall value of VC assistance. Following TCE, we approach VC-funded new ventures as hybrids of markets and hierarchies. Hence, we assume that VCs help their portfolio companies both to externalize, or learn to better operate under the market mode of governance, and internalize, or learn to better operate under the hierarchy mode of governance. We propose that VCs use external support to facilitate venture externalization and use internal support to facilitate venture internalization. Based on structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis of data from an online survey that generated 104 valid responses from CEOs of VC-funded new ventures, we establish that CEOs associate VCs’ external support positively with the perceived benefits of VC assistance and negatively with the perceived costs of VC assistance. In contrast, CEOs associate VCs’ internal support positively both with the perceived benefits and costs of VC assistance. We also demonstrate that CEOs’ assessments of the perceived benefits and costs of VC assistance are, respectively, associated positively and negatively with their appraisals of the overall value of VC assistance. Finally, we ascertain that CEO experience is related negatively to CEOs’ appraisals of the overall value of VC assistance. Implications of these findings for research and practice are discussed.Item Open Access A CLOSER LOOK AT HOW AND WHEN FAMILY-SUPPORTIVE SUPERVISION INFLUENCE WORK INTERFERENCE WITH FAMILY: THE ROLES OF FAMILY-ROLE OVERLOAD AND TASK CRAFTING(The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 2021) Walumbwa, Fred O.; Christensen-Salem, Amanda; Babalola, Mayowa T.; Kasimu, Paul; Garba, Omale A.; Guo, LiangAlthough family–supportive supervision (FSS) has been identified as one of the most useful social resources for reducing the occurrence of work interference with family (WIF), relatively little is known about the boundary conditions and the underlying mechanisms through which this relationship occurs. Drawing on conservation of resources (COR) theory, we examined how and when FSS relates to WIF in two field studies, focusing on family–role overload as a moderator and employee task crafting as a mediator. Results from Study 1, using multi-wave data from a high-technology firm, showed that family role–overload moderated the relationship between FSS and WIF such that the relationship was stronger for employees with more family role–overload than for those with less family role–overload. Results from Study 2, using multi-wave data from employees working in different industries, revealed that employee task crafting mediated the interactive effect of FSS and family–role overload on WIF. Implications of these findings for research and practice are discussed.Item Restricted COAL PHASE-OUT TRANSITION IN KAZAKHSTAN. RECOMMENDATIONS AND SUGGESTIONS BASED ON WORLDWIDE EXPERIENCE(Nazarbayev University, Graduate School of Business, 2021-12-13) Issatay, Dariko; Zhumabekov, Darkhan; Baimyrza, Zhuldyzay; Ussenov, YessetThe long-standing partnership between ADB and Kazakhstan includes also the energy sector. ADB provided various technical assistance grants and advisory support services mostly in the power sector. To date none of Kazakhstan’s development partners have worked and been working with the government in addressing the issues related to the current and future challenges in the coal industry. This study aims to inform the Government of Kazakhstan (GOK) and policy makers about the magnitude of not only existing but also upcoming challenges that coal sector will inevitably face. From the positive side - GOK and other stakeholders do recognize better on the need to move faster with the transition from coal. However, there are not much of discussions on the potential policy options. This study set out with the objective to provide an overview of the overall situation in the coal industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan, with a focus on how to effectively manage the gradual transition away from coal. The main part of this study is aimed at examining the transition path from coal in selected group of countries such as Australia, France, Germany, Indonesia, People’s Republic of China and the United Kingdom that may be useful from Kazakhstan perspective. The effects of falling production, worker redundancies, and mine closure have been felt by many communities in both high- and low-income nations. What can be learned from these situations is the subject of this research. It presents the most recent evidence on technological development for more efficient uses of coal. It also touched upon critical socioeconomic and legislative issues that will arise once the transition goes fully underway. Based on the analysis and research the study attempts arriving to various sector development suggestions, quantify their costs and benefits. Although many of these suggestions might not be realistic to implement in a short period of span, nonetheless the study argues that at least a few short-terms measures in moving forward with transition and out from coal [if adopted] could lay down an important first.Item Embargo COMBINING EDUCATIONAL CENTER YES (YOUR ENGLISH SCHOOL) AND COFFEE SHOP “BARISTA” IN CO-WORKING SPACE(Nazarbayev University, Graduate School of Business, 2023-11-23) Dinara, Mussayeva; Saltanat, Sanakbek; Abylay, Adambayev; Assylkhan, KorzhumbayevThe research paper provides a specific overview of an unique educational co-working space approach, combining “Your English School” (YES) educational center and “Barista” coffee shop. Our collaborative workspace solution includes the identification of the number and type of courses and the pricing policy that ensures the project's growth and sustainability. Informed with SWOT, Marketing research, and Net Present Value (NPV) analysis, the strategy involves introducing preparation courses for enrollment to Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools (NIS), Republican Physics and Mathematics School (RPMS), and Bilim Innovation Lyceum (BIL) schools, responding to a notable demand from market dynamics and customer preferences. We're recommending a pricing approach, initially aiming for 100,000 KZT per month per course. Justified by positive Net Present Value (NPV) over a five-year projection period, there's also a suggestion to lease a 500 sq.m. office space, requiring an initial investment of 50 million KZT. The breakeven calculation indicates that YES Educational Center needs to deliver 4,104 courses at an average price of 74,216 KZT per course to cover costs and reach the breakeven point. 3 Given the established business and operational processes of the "Barista" coffee shop, the proposal suggests that a Coworking educational center should offer a dedicated facility to the “Barista” coffee shop by providing a rented space specifically designed for catering purposes. Moreover, this will help avoid complexity between mixing the two business lines in terms of profits and losses tracking. To further broaden the scope of the business, it is advised to explore the potential of renting out underutilized spaces and venturing into training courses for enrollment to domestic and international universities. The main objective is not just to maintain competitiveness but to build a strong base for continuous growth and success while maintaining financial feasibility. The research paper introduces a balanced scorecard and strategy map, aligning objectives with specific measures and targets across financial, customer, internal process, and learning and growth perspectives. Moreover, the paper provides a comprehensive Implementation Plan for establishing an educational co-working space. The proposed actions are tailored to meet the evolving demands of the education market, positioning the project for long-term success and community impact.Item Open Access Confronting the Digital: Doing Ethnography in Modern Organizational Settings(SAGE Publications, 2020-04-01) Akemu, Onajomo; Abdelnour, SamerDigital technologies pervade modern life. As a result, organizational ethnographers must contend with informants interacting in face-to-face and digitally mediated encounters (e.g., through email, Facebook Messenger, and Skype). This overlap of informants’ digital and physical interactions challenges ethnographers’ ability to demonstrate authenticity and multivocality in their accounts of contemporary organizing. Drawing on recent theorizing about the nature of digital artifacts and two cases of ethnographic fieldwork, we argue that digital artifacts afford ethnographers different modes of being co-present with research participants: digital as archive and digital as process. We offer guidelines to researchers on how to deploy these modes of co-presence in order to improve authenticity and multivocality in ethnographic studies of modern organizations. We also explore the implications for methodological concerns such as ethics, analytical choice, and reflexivity.Item Restricted CONNECTED HOME: SNOW MELTING ANALYSIS FOR THE CITY OF ASTANA(Nazarbayev University, Graduate School of Business, 2022-12-14) Savig, Josiah; Kamzabek, Dana; Orynbassarova, NazymWith the unpredictability of weather conditions increasing in recent decades, colder densely populated areas around the world are struggling to keep up with the demand to keep their cities clean, businesses operating, and citizens safe during periods of heavy snowfall. Many developed urban centers rely on a system of hauling snow outside city limits, though many have been incorporating or switching entirely to snow melting machines to better meet residents’ needs. Through data provided by Connected Home and BI Group and our own research and analysis, we have found that the implementation of certain snow melting machines may prove to be both economically and ecologically beneficial, along with alleviating street traffic congestion.Item Open Access CORPORATE GOVERNANCE IN RUSSIAN STATE-OWNED ENTERPRISES: REAL OR SURREAL?(Asian Journal of Comparative Law, 2022) Nurgozhayeva, RozaThe narrative that defines privatisation, corporatisation, and the separation of ownership and regulatory functions as the key prerequisites for a successful state-owned enterprises’ (SOE) governance structure represents the literature's leading approach. This approach has been embedded in national laws and policies across many countries. Nonetheless, some legal scholars have scrutinised and questioned this single-minded perspective, emphasising the impact of existing institutional conditions and calling for an alternative understanding of corporate governance dynamics in different SOEs. Notwithstanding a vigorous debate on SOEs, it almost exclusively focuses on China, while Russia, being another large state-driven economy, has been missing. This article fills this gap and offers a comparative and critical perspective on the state ownership system in Russia. The analysis of Russian SOEs reveals classic governance and incentive problems attributable to state ownership. However, the question is how despite close affiliation to the State and high transaction costs caused by state interference, Russian SOEs have gained a substantial international market presence. This article answers this paradox.