Implementing Innovation Evaluation Systems to Strengthen Entrepreneurial Performance in Higher Education Institutions of Uzbekistan

In the era of the knowledge economy, higher education institutions (HEIs) are increasingly required to integrate innovation and entrepreneurship into their core missions. This research addresses the relevance and feasibility of implementing innovation evaluation systems (IES) as a mechanism to enhance entrepreneurial performance (EP) in Uzbekistan’s universities. The study aims to determine how structured innovation assessment frameworks improve managerial efficiency (ME) and institutional innovation outcomes. Employing a mixed-methods design, the study combined quantitative survey data from 130 respondents across 15 HEIs with qualitative interviews and document analysis. Statistical modeling (SPSS 28.0, AMOS 24.0) confirmed strong positive relationships among IES, ME, and EP (r = 0.72–0.75, p < 0.01; R² = 0.716). Results revealed that managerial efficiency mediates the relationship between innovation evaluation and entrepreneurial success, demonstrating that systematic innovation monitoring enhances decision-making, transparency, and innovation culture. The findings substantiate that universities with well-implemented evaluation systems achieve higher entrepreneurial capacity, reflected in start-up creation, patents, and applied research. Theoretically, the study contributes to the discourse on innovation governance in transition economies, while practically, it provides a framework for evidence-based innovation management in Uzbekistan’s higher education sector. Strengthening IES implementation is therefore vital to advancing the country’s innovation-driven educational reforms.

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