Wentao YU, Guoyang ZHANG, Yi HE, Hui GENG
In the era of the platform economy, the competitive landscape among enterprises is undergoing a shift from traditional product or customer-driven competition to one characterized by platform ecological competition. However, existing literature has yet to provide a comprehensive understanding of this evolutionary mechanism. This study employs an evolutionary game approach to construct a model of ecological cooperation comprising e-commerce platforms, logistics firms, and businesses. Through an analysis of evolutionary paths, we simultaneously consider three key mechanisms: Resource sharing, mutual benefit, and collaborative innovation. Our investigation aims to elucidate the influence of these mechanisms on the establishment and maintenance of ecological cooperation. The finding shows that resource sharing, mutual benefit, and collaborative innovation among multiple agents are essential prerequisites for fostering an ecological cooperation network in the age of platform economy. Failure to satisfy any of these conditions can lead to the collapse of such cooperation network. Furthermore, we identify several determinants, i.e. the sensitivity coefficient of services, the degree of mutual trust, and the discount associated with collaborative innovation, which positively impact the formation of ecological cooperation. Conversely, another factors such as the costs associated with ecological cooperation, the risks associated with collaborative innovation, and speculative returns exert inhibitory effects on ecological cooperation. Additionally, the efficacy of resource sharing levels on ecological cooperation is contingent upon the absorption capacity and willingness of stakeholders to engage in resource sharing. Similarly, the impact of collaborative innovation research and development investment on ecological cooperation hinges on the level of innovation risk. This study not only presents a theoretical framework for understanding the strategic decision-making process among multiple agents engaged in ecological cooperation within the context of the platform economy but also offers practical insights for enterprises seeking to establish or integrate into ecological cooperation alliances.
