Manuel Fernandez-Grela

Type of the article: Research Article

In the context of the knowledge economy and globalization, one key factor in regional economic development is universities’ intellectual capital. In this regard, the purpose of this article is to analyze the relationship between universities’ intellectual capital and socio-economic differences across Kazakhstan’s regions. The research used an integrated index of universities’ intellectual capital developed in the authors’ previous study, factor and cluster analysis, and regression modeling. The research database includes data from the National Bureau of Statistics for 20 regions of Kazakhstan for 2015, 2020–2023. The findings suggest that an increase in the universities’ intellectual capital index is associated with an increase in gross regional product per capita (β = 87.32). The results demonstrate that the population’s nominal incomes were statistically insignificant, indicating no clear short-term association with income redistribution. Instead, the Gini coefficient increases significantly, suggesting higher levels of observed inequality and a possible concentration of benefits among higher-income groups in regions with high levels of university intellectual capital. More specifically, a 1-unit increase in universities’ intellectual capital is associated with a 0.371-point increase in the Gini coefficient. Moreover, the results of the cluster analysis show a high level of socio-economic imbalance between regions with high and low levels of university intellectual capital. The quantile regression suggests that universities’ intellectual capital is positively associated with economic growth but is also related to higher levels of social inequality. The results suggest the need for a differentiated regional policy to support the development of regional universities and ensure inclusive development.

Acknowledgments
This research is supported by the Science Committee of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan (AP23488456 “Imbalances in the development of the economy and social sphere of problem regions of Kazakhstan and their risks: factors, assessment, possible scenarios, leveling mechanisms”, 2024–2026).