Abstract:    Operation mode innovation is critical for ridesharing platforms to effectively conquer practical challenges, such as privacy leaks, lack of corporate social responsibility, and insufficient profitability, so as to achieve sustainable innovation and development. However, previous studies cannot provide sufficient scientific theoretical basis and systematic solutions for choosing the optimal path of the operation mode innovation of ridesharing platforms. Comprehensively using the grounded theory, grey relational analysis method, and the NK model, this study analyzed the components of the operation mode as well as the evolutionary stages and optimal paths of operation mode innovation of ridesharing platforms. The findings of this study are as follows: (1) the components of the ridesharing platform′s operation mode encompass marketing strategy, core resources, partner networks, customer relationship, key business, science and technology for social good, ESG development concept, and profit model; (2) the operation mode innovation of ridesharing platforms has experienced four evolutionary stages: resource-led innovation, task-pioneering innovation, technology-driven innovation, and responsibility-oriented innovation; and (3) based on the innovation of core resources, the optimal innovation path is to integrate with the critical business innovation of the platform and then consider "science and technology for social good" innovations, thus ultimately realizing the innovation of the ESG development concepts. This study will provide some theoretical guidance for the ridesharing platform enterprises to optimize the operation mode innovation path and offer practical insights into promoting multiple-subject collaborative innovation simultaneously.

Key words: ridesharing platform, operation mode innovation, NK model, ESG concept