Innovative activity of small and medium-sized enterprises in Kazakhstan and factors of its development

Abstract

Today, there is a need to shift from the export-oriented economic model to innovative economics in Kazakhstan. According to innovation indices, the State is significantly lagging behind other developed countries. The Republic of Kazakhstan can become competitive by shifting to a new model of economic growth and by rapidly reducing the backlog. The State needs an effective strategy for growth through innovation by implementing the development of commercial innovation. In this paper, the authors conduct a statistical analysis of indicators of innovative growth in the Republic of Kazakhstan. The indicators were compared to those of technologically advanced countries, in particular to indices, such as the share of innovationactive enterprises, domestic spending on research and development (percentage to GDP), total researchers equivalent per one thousand of the working population and the amount of researches conducted. As a result of the present study, the authors have determined the key factors that have a major influence on the innovative activity of SMEs.