Socio-Economic Development of Higher Education System Management in the Context of Modern Development
Abstract
In the context of globalization, digital transformation, and the transition toward a knowledge-based economy, higher education systems play a critical role in socio-economic development and national competitiveness. For Uzbekistan, improving the management of the higher education system remains a pressing challenge, particularly in terms of enhancing education quality, increasing participation in international university rankings, and strengthening innovation and commercialization activities. Despite ongoing reforms, a comprehensive assessment of socio-economic management mechanisms and their impact on institutional performance remains limited. The purpose of this article is to analyze the socio-economic development of higher education system management in Uzbekistan under modern development conditions and to substantiate directions for improving its effectiveness through the integration of education quality indicators, international competitiveness measures, and innovation performance metrics. The study employs an empirical research approach based on panel data from 65 higher education institutions over the period 2018–2024. The methodology includes indicator-based analysis, composite index construction, fixedeffects econometric modeling, and comparative benchmarking with international reference institutions. The results reveal a statistically significant relationship between participation in international rankings, innovation and commercialization performance, and education quality indicators. An integrated Innovation and Commercialization Index is developed and tested, demonstrating substantial differentiation among higher education institutions in terms of socio-economic development and innovation capacity. The findings have practical significance for higher education policy formulation and institutional strategic planning, while the theoretical contribution lies in advancing methodological approaches to evaluating the socioeconomic effectiveness of higher education system management in transition economies.