THE DIGITAL DIVIDE IN EMPLOYMENT: A STUDY OF DIGITAL LITERACY'S IMPACT ON RECRUITMENT AND CAREER ADVANCEMENT IN ENTERPRISE-LEVEL COMPANIES LOCATED IN ASTANA

Abstract

This study examines the impact of digital literacy on recruitment and career advancement in enterprise-level companies in Astana, Kazakhstan, focusing on white-collar professionals in non-ICT roles. Through semi-structured interviews with HR and recruiting managers from various industries and quantitative analysis of 28 job listings from seven enterprise-level companies, the research explores how digital competencies influence employability and career progression. Grounded in Digital Divide and Human Capital theories, the findings reveal that basic digital skills, such as document editing and online communication, are essential for job applications, while advanced skills, including AI tool proficiency, enhance competitiveness. The study identifies a digital divide driven by geographical, age-related, and educational disparities, which limits employment opportunities for certain groups. Despite the absence of formal digital literacy assessments, HR managers implicitly evaluate candidates’ digital proficiency during the hiring process. The results highlight the critical role of digital skills in Astana’s labor market and suggest the need for targeted training to bridge digital inequalities.