Standardization as an Organizational Capability

Abstract

This chapter examines the organizational capabilities that firms develop in order to influence and adapt to standards. Standards are voluntary rules or guidelines developed by standard-setting organizations or consortia in order to promote compatibility/interoperability, minimum quality, variety reduction, and information. The authors argue that firms develop specific capabilities for assessing which emerging standards are likely to become dominant, and in order to successfully influence the development of new standards. The argument is illustrated by a case study of a global player in the information and communication technology sector.