Journal of Security and Sustainability Issues

The article deals with the problem of future development threats based on the methodology of industry foresight. As an empirical basis for this direction of forecasting, the authors study the mining and metallurgical complex of the Republic of Kazakhstan as a leading factor in the development of the entire national economy. The study is a pilot and focuses on assessing the risks that have formed that could pose a serious threat to the development of the industry, the economy and the country as a whole in the future. Summarizing the world experience in applying the foresight methodology, the authors use it to predict the security and sustainability of development in the medium-term. Using the risk mapping method, the authors identify safety zones in the development trends of the mining and metallurgical industry. The assessment of threats and risks also highlights the leading actors that affect the development of the industry. The main risks for Kazakhstan’s mining and metallurgical enterprises are the lack or shortage of local labor and its low skills. Automation of production processes and digitalization of production are becoming the leading trends in the development of the industry. The problem of improving the quality of workforce training and mastering the necessary skills by specialists is a serious threat to the development of the industry. The authors suggest using foresight tools not only to assess risks, but also to prevent their development into future threats.

The article presents the methodological components of the system of ensuring the economic security of business at the micro and macro levels. The components of the impact on the economic security of the business are identified. A corporate scorecard has been developed to form an economic security information mechanism using a system of balanced indicators. A process approach to information security of economic security using a system of balanced indicators is also formed. A methodological approach to the functional division of work in the project team is developed having the aim of developing the approaches to managing information security of business. A map of using information for economic security on the basis of a balanced scorecard has been developed. The expediency of the model of choice of alternatives of information management in the system of ensuring economic security of business is formed and calculated. The mechanism of adopting approaches to information management for the purpose of ensuring economic security of business is considered as a special kind and relatively independent, local subsystem.

Food security of the word is in a big extent dependent on performance of the major grain producers, one of which is Kazakhstan. Grain production in Kazakhstan allows not only to meet domestic grain needs, but also to ensure a steady export. The country is a major global grain exporter and is one of the top ten countries in the world for wheat exports in recent years. It has been leading the export of flour in terms of high quality indicators. Creating an effective transport and logistics infrastructure in key export destinations, developing measures for transit countries, and increasing the level of state support for exports are among the tasks, implementation of which appears to be a precondition of sustainable food security.

The article presents theoretical generalization and provides the substantiated solution of scientific and practical problem regarding the development of theoretical and methodological framework for the assurance of energy security of a country. The authors carried out a detailed analysis and specified the leading trends in the world energy market and obtaining resources, researched the distribution of countries in the issue of energy production and consumption, which is fundamental for energy security of a country. They also fostered scientific theories realting to the economic policy of energy sector in the global context, introduced the сriteria for assessing energy security of a country. One developed the structure and content of the energy risk management system, which makes it possible to identify and assess the probability of risk occurrence. Matrix for the assessment of energy security risks has been formed. One developed the energy efficiency improvement scheme based on the use of renewables in economy in order to reduce energy consumption and ensure the harmonious development of energy conservation system. The scheme helps to form power management systems, extend the authority of national institutions in matters of energy efficiency and conservation in order to improve energy efficiency of the economy and to reduce energy costs.

The article deals with the peculiarities of formation and enforcement of the national investment security in terms of distribution of investment flows and demand for investments. The global market for investment resources was analyzed and its impact on the investment needs and security of the individual countries was evaluated. At the methodical level, the interrelation and interdependence of components of national investment security were defined. Leading security indicators were identified and characterized taking into account investment risks factors. A Process model of the country’s investment security system was developed considering the risks and threats from the external environment and economic issues from the internal environment. The algorithm of complex assessment of the investment security of a country, based on the identification of stages and components of use of investments at the national level, was formed. A Model for evaluating the country’s individual investment security measures was developed.

The special role of grain in the composition of commercial products of the agro-industrial complex is determined by its strategic importance as a main food product and a very important, and for certain branches of animal husbandry, a crucial component of feed. On the other hand, Kazakhstan has become a major grain producer due to its natural and other features. In the conditions of economic transformation, the preservation of grain production and ensuring the rational use of its development potential is largely determined by the state of market functioning. In the formation and development of the grain market, inter-industry economic relations are of paramount importance. The new situation of Kazakhstan’s participation in the world grain market, which requires scientific generalization, is connected with the formation of sovereign States and the transformation of trade between them from interregional to interstate.