Research on symbiosis models in manufacturing innovation ecosystems

The symbiotic evolutionary model of manufacturing innovation ecosystems is of significant importance for promoting the high-quality development of the manufacturing sector. However, previous studies have mainly focused on linear symbiotic relationships between manufacturing industries and related sectors, lacking a comprehensive examination of the complex ecosystem characterized by multi-actor and multi-level dynamic interactions. Based on symbiosis theory, this study constructs an innovation ecosystem Lotka-Volterra evolutionary model, which includes core manufacturing enterprises, supporting manufacturing enterprises, and research institutions. Numerical simulations were conducted using MATLAB to explore the symbiotic evolution patterns. The study shows that mutualistic symbiosis is the optimal evolutionary model, effectively promoting scalable collaborative development for all actors; however, due to asymmetric resource flows, asymmetric symbiosis results in limited systemic benefits. Although parasitic symbiosis can temporarily enhance the competitiveness of individual actors, it undermines the overall stability of collaboration. Research institutions, as core innovation entities, play an irreplaceable role in providing technical support and facilitating knowledge spillovers. Based on the findings, the study proposes recommendations such as constructing mutualistic symbiosis mechanisms to promote multi-party collaborative development, strengthening industry-academia-research collaboration in manufacturing innovation ecosystems, enhancing industry-specific regulation, and establishing innovation guiding funds. The novelty of this research lies in developing a tri-party evolutionary game model that better aligns with the manufacturing innovation ecosystem, combining evolutionary game theory (EGT) with the Lotka-Volterra model and innovation ecosystems, thereby expanding both its theoretical boundaries and practical applications. • Developed a tripartite evolutionary game model with Lotka-Volterra dynamics. • Mutualistic symbiosis optimizes collaborative ecosystem growth. • Asymmetric symbiosis limits benefits and parasitism harms stability. • Research institutions are essential for innovation.