Government–Industry–Academia Collaboration for Sustainable Autonomous Vehicle Development: A Qualitative Case Study in Suzhou, China

The sustainable development of autonomous vehicles (AVs) depends on effective collaboration among the government–industry–academia (GIA). Drawing on the Triple Helix theory, this study examines how the GIA interacts within emerging AV ecosystems at the local level. A qualitative research design was employed, including policy reviews and in-depth semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders in Suzhou’s AV ecosystem, to gain a detailed understanding of the collaborations. Our findings revealed three bottlenecks: (1) fragmented governance across administrative districts, which blurs responsibility for infrastructure investment and policy alignment; (2) short-term, project-based industry partnerships that limit knowledge spillovers and marginalize smaller local firms; and (3) limited academic engagement in R&D, despite a strong output in basic research. These factors lock the AV ecosystem into a hybrid configuration between government-led (Triple Helix I) and industry-driven (Triple Helix II) models, constraining sustained innovation. The study argues that to strengthen the AV ecosystem, it is essential to establish a cohesive policy framework, promote cross-sector collaboration, and involve academia more deeply in addressing social, ethical, and regulatory concerns. This paper contributes to the GIA and Triple Helix literature by offering insights into the complexity of collaboration within a rapidly developing AV sector and providing recommendations for enhancing the effectiveness of GIA collaborations to foster sustainable AV development.