IMPROVING MECHANISMS FOR MANAGING INNOVATION PROCESSES IN ENTREPRENEURIAL ACTIVITY

This article examines the theoretical foundations, current state in Uzbekistan, and directions for improving the mechanisms used to manage innovation processes in entrepreneurial entities. The innovation process is treated as a managed chain running from idea generation to commercialization, and its management mechanisms are classified into organizational, financial, institutional-legal, information-communication and motivational groups. Drawing on systems analysis, content analysis, comparative analysis of secondary statistical data and SWOT analysis, the study identifies the key gaps in the national innovation system: low business expenditure on research and development, weak integration of education, science and industry, and shallow venture financing. Global Innovation Index data for 2020–2026 show that Uzbekistan’s innovation efficiency ratio (output-to-input score) is approximately 0.50, meaning that innovation resources are only partly converted into market outcomes. To address these gaps, the article proposes an integrated management model that combines the Stage-Gate system with the open innovation approach, links each stage to external partners and public support instruments, and monitors performance through a balanced set of KPIs. The model is intended to improve the efficiency of innovation project portfolio management in small and medium-sized enterprises.