Abstract

Purpose: the study aims to examine the impact of ICT on the formation of digital hubs in regions of Kazakhstan, specifically the influence of ICT costs on the level of innovation activity of enterprises, the number of its actors as legal entities by size and region, small and medium enterprises, universities and research and development organisations. Research design, data and methodology: the research methodology is based on the collection of secondary data from the official statistical yearbooks of the Bureau of National Statistics of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the use of quantitative methods, in particular, correlation analysis and multiple regression. Five indicators related to the formation of digital hubs in the regions of the country were selected. Results: the study revealed that ICT spending has an impact on the formation of digital hubs in regions, in particular on the development of the number of legitimate enterprises, SMEs and R&D organisations as actors in digital hubs. A positive dynamic in the growth of the number of actors is visible. However, the hypotheses on the impact of ICT costs on the number of universities and the level of innovation activity were not supported. Conclusions: based on the results of the study, recommendations such as government proposals on strategy development, funding projects of innovation and digital hubs, and business proposals on engaging local entities in digital transformation for the formation of digital hubs in the country's regions have been developed.