Exploring Cultural Entrepreneurship through Case Study Research

The Department of Religious and Cultural Studies at Al-Farabi KazNU hosted a workshop by Professor Anjan Ghosh of Nazarbayev University on multidisciplinary case study research, cultural entrepreneurship, and its role in nation building. Drawing on cases including the Kyluet ethnographic museum, ARTiSHOCK Theatre, Bunker Art, Nomad Stunts, Kaztour, and the Kazakh State Circus, Professor Ghosh explored how cultural heritage, religious beliefs, and ethical values shape entrepreneurial decisions and organizational identity. The cases offered different perspectives on how organizations negotiate the relationship between tradition and innovation, respond to social change, and balance cultural missions with commercial demands. They also demonstrated how local experiences can generate research questions with broader relevance, including how entrepreneurs reinterpret heritage, establish legitimacy, and communicate cultural identity to international audiences. By connecting cultural and religious studies with entrepreneurship and management, Professor Ghosh highlighted the value of multidisciplinary case research in bringing knowledge from Kazakhstan into wider academic discussions. The workshop also highlighted how cultural entrepreneurs preserve and reinterpret traditions, strengthen national identity, and bring Kazakhstan’s heritage to international audiences. Professor Ghosh shared his vision for a collaborative “Case Study Movement” in Central Asia, encouraging researchers and educators to develop and share knowledge grounded in the region’s experiences.
Organized in support of SDG 4: Quality Education, the workshop encouraged interdisciplinary learning, stronger research skills, and academic collaboration. Organizers: Professors Ainura Kurmanaliyeva, Nurzat Mukan.