Institutional Constraints and the Transition to a Full Technology Cycle Model in Kazakhstan’s Science and Technology Policy
DOI:
10.48010/kq5n6e25Keywords
Science and Technology Policy, Research and Development (R&D), Commercialization, Technology Transfer, Technology Readiness Levels (Trl), Full Technology Life Cycle, Digitalization of Science, Knowledge-Intensive Territories
Abstract
This article examines the institutional mechanisms underpinning the state science and technology policy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the context of building a knowledge-based economy and enhancing technological competitiveness. The study aims to identify the institutional constraints that impede the transformation of scientific potential into technological and economic outcomes and to substantiate directions for improving national science and technology policy.
The findings demonstrate that, despite the consistent development of the regulatory framework, increased funding for research and development (R&D), improvements in government support mechanisms for science and research, and the expansion of digital infrastructure, Kazakhstan’s national science and technology system continues to face institutional barriers that limit the effective integration of science and industry. The most significant challenges include insufficient funding mechanisms for experimental development, limited business participation in shaping the national science and technology agenda, the fragmented nature of the innovation infrastructure, and the absence of an integrated technology cycle that enables the transition from scientific research to industrial commercialization.
Based on a comparative analysis of international experience, the study argues that improving the effectiveness of national science and technology policy requires a shift from a model primarily focused on supporting scientific research to one based on managing the entire technology life cycle. The scientific novelty of the research lies in the development of an institutional framework that conceptualizes research funding, experimental development, technology transfer, digital infrastructure, and collaboration among government, academia, and industry as interdependent components of a unified science and technology ecosystem. The practical significance of the findings lies in their potential application to improving the mechanisms of Kazakhstan's state science and technology policy and strengthening the country's national innovation system.
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References
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