Innovation Management Journal

Innovation Management Journal

Architecture of collaborative ecosystems in the transfer of complex technologies (CoPS): A meta-synthesis approach

Authors
1 Department of Management, Economics and Progress Engineering, Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran, Iran
2 Iran University of Science and Technology
10.22034/imj.2025.245385
Abstract
Technology transfer (TT) in Complex Product and Systems (CoPS) presents significant challenges, often exceeding the capabilities of individual firms and necessitating intricate collaborative ecosystems. This research aims to identify and analyze the key components and mechanisms constituting the "Collaborative Ecosystem Architecture," a critical dimension for success in this process. Employing a qualitative meta-synthesis methodology, this paper deeply analyzes 30 high-quality empirical studies published between 2005 and 2025, focusing on success factors in CoPS TT across various industries such as aerospace, energy, and rail transportation. Findings reveal that the collaborative ecosystem architecture is underpinned by six fundamental pillars: (1) Multi-stakeholder network formation, (2) Strategic technology partnerships, (3) University-industry collaboration, (4) Supplier development and integration, (5) Trust-based relationships (as the soft infrastructure), and (6) Local stakeholder engagement strategies. By providing an integrated framework for understanding these collaboration mechanisms, this study moves beyond firm-centric or state-centric analyses, emphasizing that sustainable success in CoPS’s technology transfer is fundamentally an ecosystem achievement and highlights the need for specific capabilities such as "Ecosystem Orchestration"
Keywords