University innovation capacity: From assessment to governance decisions Evidence from Kazakhstan’s national universities

Abstract

The article presents a systematic approach to managing the innovative potential of universities and demonstrates its application using materials from national universities in Kazakhstan. The purpose of this study is to develop a practical recommendation for enhancing the management of innovation capability in universities of the Republic of Kazakhstan. It is based on a seven-block model of innovation potential (education, research, management, human resources, infrastructure, finance, internationalization), which allows for the identification of strengths and weaknesses and the translation of assessment results into decisions on structures, processes, incentives, and monitoring. The research methodology is based on expert assessment involving institution managers. The focus is on national universities as they are the main actors in the higher education system and form the basis for building an innovative economy in Kazakhstan. This framework enabled a comprehensive analysis of the current state’s sustainability and the identification of prospective directions for improvement. The findings can be used to contribute to the optimization of university innovation strategies and to strengthen their competitiveness in both academic and research domains.