Stakeholders collaborations, challenges and emerging concepts in digital twin ecosystems

Digital twin (DT) ecosystems are rapidly evolving, connecting many stakeholders, such as manufacturers, customers, and application platform providers. These ecosystems require collaboration and interaction between diverse actors to create value. This study delves into the collaboration of such stakeholders within DT-focused ecosystems. This research aims to understand stakeholder collaboration within DT ecosystems, identify potential challenges, and provide insights for managing these stakeholders. It also seeks to define the DT ecosystem and its implications for both research and practice. A systematic literature review was conducted, supplemented by empirical evidence gathered from interviews with DT experts who were knowledgeable about the DT ecosystem. The study also analyzed DT systems, stakeholder roles, and the challenges with ecosystem-focused DT development. The study identified various stakeholders and their roles in adding value to a DT ecosystem. It highlighted the benefits of stakeholder collaboration, such as knowledge gain during DT system development. The research also revealed the technical and non-technical challenges encountered in ecosystem-focused DTs, emphasizing the importance of standardization as a solution. A new definition of the DT ecosystem was proposed, emphasizing its data-driven nature, interconnected DTs, stakeholder value creation, and technology enablement. Stakeholder collaboration is pivotal in DT ecosystems, with each actor playing a distinct role. Addressing challenges, especially through standardization (OPC UA and ISO 23247), can lead to more efficient and coherent DT ecosystems. The insights provided by this study can guide industries in designing, developing, and maintaining their DT ecosystems, ensuring value creation and stakeholder satisfaction. Future research avenues that emphasize the importance of understanding the challenges involved and deploy appropriate solutions were suggested.