Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent global shift toward remote work have significantly accelerated interest in freelancing as a form of self-employment that integrates creativity, intellectual labor, and digital flexibility. This paper presents a systematic literature review of scholarly publications from 2001 to 2024 to examine the evolving relationship between freelancing and intellectual capital, and to explore the transformation of freelance into a new innovation-driven business model within the digital economy. To ensure transparency and reproducibility, the review methodology follows a systematic approach with a PRISMA-style flowchart to illustrate the selection stages of relevant literature. The findings reveal that, despite conceptual similarities, the potential synergy between freelancing and intellectual capital remains underexplored in academic discourse. Furthermore, the study highlights the limitations of traditional educational qualifications in predicting freelance success, emphasizing the growing importance of skills, knowledge, and innovation capabilities. Based on the findings, having identified the theoretical basis of freelance, its evolution, and intellectual capital as the basis for the development of freelancing in the new management and economic contexts, the authors propose the development of a multifunctional online freelance platform as a strategic initiative to support innovation-driven economic development in Kazakhstan. This paper contributes to the fields of innovation management, entrepreneurship, and the gig economy by framing freelancing as a dynamic, knowledge-intensive phenomenon with significant implications for future business models and labor market policies.