Assessment of Bachelor Thesis – Academic Consultant
Study programme:International Economic Relations Field of study:International Business
Academic year:2020/2021
Bachelor Thesis Topic:Specifics of Doing Business in Kazakhstan on the example of SMEs Author’s name:Arailym Turgazy
Ac. Consultant’s Name:Ing. Ilya Bolotov, MBA, Ph.D.
Opponent:Ing. Soňa Gullová, Ph.D.
Criterion Mark
(1–4)
1. Overall objective achievement 1
2. Logical structure 1
3. Using of literature, citations 1
4. Adequacy of methods used 2
5. Depth of analysis 2
6. Self-reliance of author 2
7. Formal requirements: text, graphs, tables 1
8. Language and stylistics 1
Comments and Questions:
The submitted final thesis analyzes business environment in Kazakhstan focusing on conditions for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The thesis is well-structured, the author describes the country’s history, geographic and political position, as well as current problems. In terms of analysis, PESTEL and data from international organisations such as the World Bank (Doing Business and Worldwide governance Indicators), Transparency International (Corruption Perception Index), or the World Economic Forum (Global Competitiveness report) are used. At the same time, the thesis is somewhat lengthy and
descriptive: the value added of the research could, in my opinion, be higher. Regarding the final grade, I’m suggestingvery goodwith a possibility of improvement toexcellentat the defence which I’m sure the author will do.
Questions for the defence:
1. Does membership in the Eurasian Economic Union have an effect on business environment in Kazakhstan? Is this effect positive or negative?
2. Kazakhstan is the most liberal economy among the original ”EAEU-3” (Russia, Belarus and
Kazakhstan) and in terms of oil and gas reserves per capita is most likely ahead of Russia. What, in the opinion of the author, impedes Kazakhstan from having a significantly higher GDP per capita than the other two mentioned countries? What can the government do about it?
Conclusion: The Bachelor Thesis is recommended for the defence.
Suggested Grade: 2
Date: 06/12/2020 Ing. Ilya Bolotov, MBA, Ph.D.
Academic Consultant
