University-industry partnership as a driver of innovative growth in Kazakhstan’s electronics industry

The aim of this study is to conduct a systematic analysis of international models of university–industry collaboration (UIC), with a particular focus on assessing their applicability in the context of the electronics industry in the Republic of Kazakhstan. Considering the strategic importance of industrialization and the digitalization of the economy, effective university–industry cooperation is viewed as a key factor in the development of the country’s scientific and technological potential. The research methodology is based on content analysis of 17 academic publications selected from the Scopus database through two search queries, covering both empirical cases and theoretical reviews. The identified models and approaches were compared with the current state and challenges of Kazakhstan’s electronics sector, allowing for the adaptation of international experience to the national context. The originality of this study lies in its comprehensive attempt to link international theoretical and practical developments in UIC with the modernization tasks of a high-tech sector within a country possessing a developing innovation ecosystem. The paper fills a gap in the literature on adapting UIC models to industryspecific and regional levels in the context of emerging economies. As a result, the study substantiates the need to develop five key UIC models — joint laboratories, Living Labs, intermediary structures, international collaboration, and government-driven programs — and proposes specific directions for their implementation in Kazakhstan. The findings can be used in shaping public policy, university strategies, and planning joint initiatives with business.