Plant breeding innovation is an important strategic emerging industry related to sustainable agricultural development. The improvement of the level of industry–university–research (IUR) cooperation among plant breeding enterprises can help overcome breeding bottlenecks and promote technological innovation and has become one of the important topics of academic attention. Based on 290 enterprise survey questionnaire data, this study uses a structural equation model to conduct empirical research and finds the following: (1) satisfaction and effectiveness of IUR cooperation have a positive impact on the key core technological innovation performance of plant breeding enterprises; (2) absorptive capacity positively moderates the promoting effect of IUR cooperation satisfaction and effectiveness on the technological innovation performance of plant breeding enterprises; and (3) government support positively moderates the promoting effect of IUR cooperation satisfaction and effectiveness on the technological innovation performance of plant breeding enterprises. Therefore, this study reveals the mechanism of IUR cooperation in plant breeding enterprises on technological innovation and provides theoretical basis and practical guidance for plant breeding enterprises to cultivate long-term competitiveness and contribute to the sustainable development of agriculture.
Hu et al. (2026) studied this question.