Does Symbiosis Matter in Marine Innovation Ecosystems? An Examination Using Lotka-Volterra Model

Expand
  • 1 School of Management Science and Engineering, Shandong University of Finance and Economics, Jinan 250014, Shandong, China;
    2 School of International Trade and Economics, Shandong University of Finance and Economics, Jinan 250014, Shandong, China

Received date: 2024-07-06

  Revised date: 2025-07-29

  Online published: 2026-07-06

Supported by

This paper is supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (No. 2023YFB2703900), National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 62473229, 72571159, and 72201154), the Shandong Provincial Natural Science Foundation (No. ZR2024QG003), the Shandong Provincial Social Science Planning Project (Nos. 24DGLJ11, 25DJJJ11), the Taishan Scholars Project of Shandong Province, the Special Funds for Young Experts of Taishan Scholars Project of Shandong Province (No. tsqn202507237).

Abstract

The evolutionary mode of innovation agents within the marine innovation ecosystem (MIE) holds significant implications for the formulation of marine innovation policies and the facilitation of high-quality development within the marine economy. The aim of this paper is to investigate the symbiosis modes of innovation agents that can drive the innovative energy of MIE. First, considering the marine innovation enterprise population (EP) and marine innovation academic research institution population (AP) in China as innovation agents, we propose the concept of evolution of two agents in MIE based on symbiosis theory and construct a two-agent evolutionary model based on the Lotka-Volterra model. Then, we explore the symbiosis mode of the two agents in the MIE using the innovation size data of EP and AP in the MIE from 1997 to 2022. Furthermore, considering the incompleteness of the current data, the influence mechanism of EP and AP and the evolution path in different environments are explored by computer simulation technology. The findings indicate that mutualistic symbiosis among innovation agents is more likely to drive the MIE, as opposed to independence among these agents. Finally, some policy implications are suggested on how to keep the mutualistic symbiosis mode in the process of symbiosis dy

Cite this article

Qian Pan, Pei-De Liu, Bao-Ying Zhu . Does Symbiosis Matter in Marine Innovation Ecosystems? An Examination Using Lotka-Volterra Model[J]. Journal of the Operations Research Society of China, 2026 , 14(2) : 603 -631 . DOI: 10.1007/s40305-025-00637-5

References

[1] Aguzzi, J., et al.: New high-tech flexible networks for the monitoring of deep-sea ecosystems. Environ. Sci. Technol. 53(12), 6616–6631(2019)
[2] Bakry, D., Daim, T., Alzahrani, S., et al.: Exploring innovation ecosystems to facilitate the adoption of sustainable entrepreneurship: looking beyond the Western world. J. Small Bus. Manag. 63(1), 337–387(2025)
[3] Botelho, L.L., Jeynes-Smith, C., Vollert, S.A., et al.: Calibrated ecosystem models cannot predict the consequences of conservation management decisions. Ecol. Lett. 28(1), e70034(2025)
[4] Bolivar-Ramos, M.T.: The impact of corporate science on environmental innovations: the role of universities and research institutions. R&D Manag. 53, 503–523(2023)
[5] Chen, K., Zhang, Y., Zhu, G., Mu, R.: Do research institutes benefit from their network positions in research collaboration networks with industries or/and universities? Technovation 94–95, 102002(2020)
[6] Cheng, M., Wang, J., Yang, S., et al.: The driving effect of technological innovation on green development: from the perspective of efficiency. Energy Policy 188, 114089(2024)
[7] de Vasconcelos Gomes, L.A., Facin, A.L.F., Salerno, M.S., Ikenami, R.K.: Unpacking the innovation ecosystem construct: evolution, gaps and trends. Technol. Forecast. Soc. Change 136, 30–48(2018)
[8] Ding, L., Lei, L., Wang, L., et al.: A novel cooperative game network DEA model for marine circular economy performance evaluation of China. J. Clean. Prod. 253, 120071(2020)
[9] Duan, T., Guo, H., Qi, X., Sun, M., Forrest, J.: A novel information-enhanced grey Lotka-Volterra model driven by system mechanism and data for energy forecasting of WEET project in China. Energy 304, 132176(2024)
[10] Duan, T., Guo, H., Qi, X., Zhang, Y., Wu, C.: A novel information enhanced grey Lotka-Volterra model driven by system mechanism and data for energy forecasting of WEET project in China. Energy 304, 132176(2024)
[11] Eladawy, A., et al.: Towards a combined human-natural system approach in the Northern Red Sea Region: ecological challenges, sustainable development, and community engagement. Mar. Policy 159, 105917(2024)
[12] Etzkowitz, H., Webster, A., Gebhardt, C., Terra, B.R.C.: The future of the university and the university of the future: evolution of ivory tower to entrepreneurial paradigm. Res. Policy 29(2), 313–330(2000)
[13] Fang, X., et al.: An evaluation of marine economy sustainable development and the ramifications of digital technologies in China coastal regions. Econ. Anal. Policy 82, 554–570(2024)
[14] Feng, F., Zhai, C., Yang, Z., et al.: China’s marine manufacturing export growth: policy, status, and driving components. Mar. Policy 149, 105495(2023)
[15] Fiaz, M.: An empirical study of university–industry R\&D collaboration in China: Implications for technology in society. Technol. Soc. 35, 191–202(2013)
[16] Garcia, R., Wigger, K., Hermann, R.R.: Challenges of creating and capturing value in open ecoinnovation: evidence from the maritime industry in Denmark. J. Clean. Prod. 220, 642–654(2019)
[17] Geroski, P.A.: Models of technology diffusion. Res. Policy 29, 603–625(2000)
[18] Goff, L.J.: Symbiosis and parasitism: Another viewpoint. Bioscience 32(4), 255–256(1982)
[19] Han, J., Zhou, H., Lowik, S., de Weerd-Nederhof, P.: Enhancing the understanding of ecosystems under innovation management context: Aggregating conceptual boundaries of ecosystems. Ind. Mark. Manag. 106, 112–138(2022)
[20] Iansiti, M., Levien, R.: Strategy as ecology. Harv. Bus. Rev. 82(68–78), 126(2004)
[21] Kim, J.Y., Steensma, H.K., Park, H.D.: The influence of technological links, social ties, and incumbent firm opportunistic propensity on the formation of corporate venture capital deals. J. Manage. 45, 1595–1622(2019)
[22] Lu, Q., Fang, H.: Promoting low-carbon development in Yangtze River Delta area in China through the lens of decarbonization of industrial gas producers: a case study based on evolutionary game and Lotka-Volterra models. Technol. Forecast. Soc. Change 207, 123594(2024)
[23] Ma, H.D., Li, L.X.: Could environmental regulation promote the technological innovation of China’s emerging marine enterprises? Based on the moderating effect of government grants. Environ. Res. 202, 111682(2021)
[24] Ma, H., Hou, G.: Study on the evolution of collaborative innovation in marine economy considering the participation of financial institutions and two types of cooperation. Heliyon 10(4), e26450(2024)
[25] Ma, J., Wu, Z., Guo, M., et al.: Dynamic relationship between marine fisheries economic development, environmental protection and fisheries technological progress—A case of coastal provinces in China. Ocean Coast. Manag. 247, 106885(2024)
[26] Möller, K., Rajala, A.: Rise of strategic nets—new modes of value creation. Ind. Mark. Manage. 36(7), 895–908(2007)
[27] Østergaard, C.R.: Knowledge flows through social networks in a cluster: Comparing university and industry links. Struct. Change Econ. Dyn. 20(3), 196–210(2009)
[28] Ren, W., Ji, J.: How do environmental regulation and technological innovation affect the sustainable development of marine economy: new evidence from China’s coastal provinces and cities. Mar. Policy 128, 104468(2021)
[29] Sinfield, J.V., Ajmani, A., McShane, W.: Strategic roadmapping to accelerate and risk-mitigate enabling innovations: a generalizable method and a case illustration for marine renewable energy. Technol. Forecast. Soc. Change 209, 123761(2024)
[30] Shi, Y., Wei, F.: Comparative analysis of digital economy-driven innovation development in China: An international perspective. J. Knowl. Econ. 2024, 1–43(2024)
[31] Su, Y., Yan, Y., Liu, C.: Symbiosis evolution of regional knowledge innovation ecosystem: the relevance of Lotka-Volterra model. Sci. Technol. Soc. 29(3), 373–396(2024)
[32] Sun, C., Liang, Z., Zhai, X., Wang, L.: Obstacles to the development of China’s marine economy: Total factor productivity loss from resource mismatch. Ocean Coastal Manag. 249, 107009(2024)
[33] Taxt, R.E., Robinson, D.K.R., Schoen, A., et al.: The embedding of universities in innovation ecosystems: The case of marine research at the University of Bergen. Norsk Geogr. Tidsskr. 76(1), 42–60(2022)
[34] Titus, V.K., Anderson, B.S.: Firm structure and environment as contingencies to the corporate venture capital-parent firm value relationship. Entreprene. Theory Pract. 42, 498–522(2018)
[35] Wu, L., Wang, Y.: Estimating the parameters of Lotka-Volterra model based on grey direct modeling method and its application. Expert Syst. Appl. 38, 6412–6416(2011)
[36] Wang, T., Cheng, P., Zhen, L.: Green development of the maritime industry: Overview, perspectives, and future research opportunities. Transp. Res. E Logist. Transp. Rev. 179, 103322(2023)
[37] Still, K., Huhtamäki, J., Russell, M.G., et al.: Insights for orchestrating innovation ecosystems: The case of EIT ICT labs and data-driven network visualisations. Int. J. Technol. Manag. 66(2–3), 243–265(2014)
[38] Volterra, V.: Fluctuations in the abundance of a species considered mathematically. Nature 119(2983), 12–13(1927)
[39] Xu, S., Liu, Y.: Research on the impact of carbon finance on the green transformation of China’s marine industry. J. Clean. Prod. 418, 138143(2023)
[40] Xu, A., Qiu, K., Zhu, Y.: The measurements and decomposition of innovation inequality: Based on Industry-University-Research perspective. J. Bus. Res. 157, 113556(2023)
[41] Zan, A., Yao, Y., Chen, H.: University-industry collaborative innovation evolutionary game and simulation research: The agent coupling and group size view. IEEE Trans. Eng. Manag. 68, 1406–1417(2021)
[42] Zhang, J.: Patterns of innovation-driven tourism competitiveness: Insights from 270 Chinese cities. Tour. Manag. 107, 105063(2025)
[43] Zhang, N., Shi, S., Li, Z.: Constructions of symbiosis system for rural industry revitalization based on Lotka-Volterra model and stability study. J. Grey Syst. 36(4), 33–54(2024)
[44] Zhang, S., Wang, X., Zhang, B.: The policy effects of innovative city pilot on the dual efficiency of industry–university–research knowledge flow. Technol. Anal. Strateg. Manag. 34(9), 1038–1049(2022)
[45] Zhang, S., Wang, X.: Does innovative city construction improve the industry–university–research knowledge flow in urban China? Technol. Forecast. Soc. Change 174, 121200(2022)
[46] Zhang, Y., Yuan, C., Zhang, S.: Influences of university-industry alliance portfolio depth and breadth on growth of new technology-based firms: Evidence from China. Ind. Mark. Manag. 102, 190–204(2022)
[47] Zhang, R.J., Tai, H.W., Cao, Z.X., et al.: Green innovation ecosystem evolution: diffusion of positive green innovation game strategies on complex networks. J. Innov. Knowl. 9(3), 100500(2024)
[48] Zeng, J., Ning, Z., Lassala, C., et al.: Effect of innovative-city pilot policy on industry–university–research collaborative innovation. J. Bus. Res. 162, 113867(2023)
[49] Yin, S., Zhang, N., Li, B., Dong, H.: Enhancing the effectiveness of multi-agent cooperation for green manufacturing: dynamic co-evolution mechanism of a green technology innovation system based on the innovation value chain. Environ. Impact Assess. Rev. 86, 106475(2021)
Options
Outlines

/