Assessing the implementation of project management in public administration: A PEST analysis approach

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Abstract

This paper examines the level of project management (PM) implementation in the public administration system of the Republic of Kazakhstan, identifying the key factors that influence its successful adoption. The study aims to explore how political, economic, social, and technological (PEST) factors shape the institutionalization of PM in government. A qualitative research methodology is used, combining PEST analysis with a review of legal frameworks and expert evaluations. The findings reveal that social and technological factors, such as insufficient human capital and underdeveloped digital infrastructure, exert the most significant influence on implementation outcomes. Political constraints, including bureaucratic rigidity, and economic limitations, such as inadequate funding, also present major barriers. The study concludes that comprehensive institutional reform — particularly in digitalization, capacity building, and regulatory improvement — is essential for the effective adoption of PM practices. This research contributes to the growing body of literature on public sector PM (Crawford & Helm, 2009; Heeks, 2006) and highlights the relevance of context-sensitive implementation strategies in developing countries. The study’s relevance lies in its potential to guide Kazakhstan’s public administration toward more efficient and accountable governance through the structured use of project-based methods.

Keywords: Project Management, Public Administration, PEST Analysis, Digital Transformation, Kazakhstan

Authors’ individual contribution: Conceptualization — R.K., R.I., and A.A.; Methodology — R.K. and A.A.; Software — S.M.; Validation — R.I.; Formal Analysis — R.K. and A.A.; Investigation — R.K., R.I., and A.A.; Resources — R.I.; Writing — Original Draft — R.K. and A.A.; Writing — Review & Editing — R.K., R.I., A.A., and Y.Z.; Visualization — S.M.; Supervision — R.I.; Project Administration — A.A.

Declaration of conflicting interests: The Authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

JEL Classification: H83, O10

Received: 16.04.2025
Revised: 03.08.2025; 09.10.2025
Accepted: 28.10.2025
Published online: 31.10.2025

How to cite this paper: Kambar, R., Ismailova, R., Aitbayeva, A., Mukhamejanuly, S., & Zharov, Y. (2025). Assessing the implementation of project management in public administration: A PEST analysis approach. Journal of Governance & Regulation, 14(4), 212–222. https://doi.org/10.22495/jgrv14i4art20