ENHANCING INNOVATION CAPABILITIES IN KAZAKHSTAN'S EMERGING TECH STARTUPS: A ROADMAP FOR SUCCESS BASED ON CRITICAL FACTORS

Abstract

The following study investigates the innovative capability of technology startups in Kazakhstan, identifying critical success factors within an evolving digital economy. The main objectives of the research are to identify critical success factors affecting the innovative capability of startups, create the framework to measure the IC of startups, identify the implications of revealed factors on the Kazakhstani scale, and develop the recommendations for the startups’ owners and policy makers. The research focused on the application of multifaceted approaches with a combination of quantitative and qualitative methodologies. Central to the primary data collection was the utilization of the Delphi method, leading to the novel perspective on how diverse internal factors, including leadership type, cooperation, employee satisfaction, emotional intelligence, and diversity, contribute to startups' innovation. The data analysis was developed using the Pearson correlation method with the python programming language application. Findings suggest a positive correlation between transformational leadership style, employee job satisfaction level, emotional intelligence, involvement in multiple cooperation types, gender diversity, and startups’ innovative capabilities. These insights are vital for stakeholders seeking to foster a sturdy startup ecosystem in Kazakhstan and similar developing economies.