RECOMBINANT INNOVATION IN THE TECHNOLOGICAL STARTUP ECOSYSTEM: A CASE STUDY ON HIGH TECH XXI

Abstract

Introduction: The capstone project explores how startups in Kazakhstan approach innovations on the example of High Tech XXI. Objectives: Analysis of High Tech XXI company ecosystem; Assessment of the сompany innovation system based on the maturity model; Development of a causal loop diagram (CLD) of the company’s innovation system; Evaluation of factors driving employee motivation; White paper: executive summary of findings, root cause analysis, recommendations. This final objective involves summarizing the research findings. Methods: Arranged several in-depth interviews with field experts. Through workshops plotted a map that shows relationships between 36 different processes that affect innovations, whether in a positive or negative way. Collected survey responses from 2 executive directors, 4 senior engineers and 2 technical workers and created a motivational factor analysis. Finally, assessed the company’s maturity using interview and survey results conducted with executives. Results: CLD confirms that talent development is a key driver of innovation strategy, while knowledge management plays a role of enabler. The results of surveys showed that executives are motivated primarily by career development, engineers and technicians value increased salaries, bonuses and incentives. Besides, as per maturity assessment results, the company excels in strategic alignment, formal processes, collaborative teams, training, and market research, while lagging in project performance evaluation. Conclusion: High Tech XXI is able to foster innovation capabilities within a company through continuous talent development. The white paper and recommendations were proposed to help the company in this regard.