Synergistic Innovation Pathways in Aviation Complex Product Ecosystems: Enabling Sustainability Through Resource Efficiency and Systemic Collaboration

Achieving sustainable development in the aviation industry increasingly relies on the synergistic operation of complex product innovation ecosystems. These ecosystems not only drive technological breakthroughs, but also serve as crucial enablers of resource efficiency, ecological resilience, and long-term industrial competitiveness. This study explores how specific configurations of synergistic factors within innovation ecosystems support sustainable innovation outcomes in the aviation sector. Drawing on the innovation ecosystem theory and principles of sustainable development, we employed fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) to examine 15 representative aviation equipment R&D cases, including AVIC Tongfei and AVIC Xifei. The analysis centers on five key dimensions: core enterprise leadership, value chain collaboration, cross-organizational innovation, technology–market feedback loops, and institutional policy support. These dimensions interact to shape multiple synergy pathways that facilitate sustainable transformation. The results reveal that no single factor alone is sufficient to ensure high innovation sustainability. Instead, three distinct synergy configurations emerge: (1) core enterprise-led model, which reduces resource redundancy through optimized value chain governance; (2) the industry chain collaboration model, which enhances environmental performance via modular design and lifecycle management; and (3) cross-organization innovation collaboration model, which improves material reuse and infrastructure sharing through collaborative mechanisms. Together, these pathways form a reinforcing cycle of innovation–efficiency–sustainability, offering a practical framework for aligning technological advancement with ecological goals. This study deepens the understanding of how innovation ecosystem mechanisms contribute to sustainable development, particularly in high-integration industries. It offers actionable insights into achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through collaborative innovation and systemic resource optimization.