Transition to a circular economy: Exploring stakeholder perspectives in Kazakhstan

The development of circular economy entails systemic changes at various levels involving all stakeholders. Stakeholders play a crucial role in creating and ensuring the necessary conditions for the establishment and thriving of the circular economy. They set the primary direction for and act as the driving force behind sustainable development. In this regard, this study aimed to determine the readiness of stakeholders for the formation and development of the circular economy in Kazakhstan. An expert survey was conducted among representatives of business, academia and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The survey involved 54 experts, and the data were analyzed using the SPSS 25 software. The analytical findings underscore that the sector of science and education manifests the highest state of readiness among stakeholder segments. Conversely, sectors encompassing society, consumers, governmental bodies, and financial institutions demonstrate relatively modest levels of preparedness. Furthermore, this study delved into distinct statistical variances across stakeholder readiness levels and proffered targeted recommendations aimed at mitigating challenges hampering the establishment of a circular economy framework within Kazakhstan.