Assessing the Potential of the Sharing Economy in Kazakhstan’s Regions through Digital Transformation Metrics

Abstract

The sharing economy, driven by digital technologies, is transforming traditional interactions between businesses and consumers and promoting more efficient resource use. However, the lack of standardized methodologies and official statistics complicates comprehensive analysis of its potential and scale. This study demonstrates the feasibility of using digital transformation indicators to assess the development of the sharing economy and identify key factors influencing its dynamics. A methodological approach was developed to assess the potential of the sharing economy and suggest ways to promote sharing-based models across regions. It combines an analysis of industry digitalization, using an adapted Digitalization Index, with an evaluation of how ready the population is to use digital technologies. Kazakhstan’s regions were grouped by digitalization level through hierarchical cluster analysis (Ward’s method), and the results for both industry and population datasets were compared using the TOPSIS method. This allowed the regions to be ranked according to their readiness to adopt sharing economy practices. The results reveal significant regional differences in the digital development of industries and in the population’s readiness to use digital technologies. Five regional groups with varying development potential were identified: high digitalization in the two largest cities; above-average in two industrially developed regions; average in four regions; below-average in eight regions; and low in four regions. For regions with low digitalization, recommendations include developing basic digital infrastructure, enhancing digital literacy, and stimulating small business activity. For leading regions (Almaty and Astana), it is advised to develop innovative services, attract foreign investment, and scale successful practices to other areas. The study’s practical significance lies in its applicability for designing targeted regional digitalization strategies to reduce disparities and promote sharing economy models across Kazakhstan.