Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Technology Standards Development: A Framework

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Technology Development

Part of the book series: Innovation, Technology, and Knowledge Management ((ITKM))

  • 939 Accesses

Abstract

Distributed Innovation and inter-company collaborative development have become prevalent modes of operation for some technology-intensive firms which rely on them to reduce their investment outlays while concomitantly preserving their technology leadership positions within their respective industries. Technology standards development has become a key enabler for achieving these seemingly bipolar objectives. The de facto model that exemplifies this trend can be summed up as: ‘collaborate, standardize, compete!’

Under the rubric of a proposed technology standards development paradigm derived from extant practice, we examine the case of the Universal Serial Bus (USB) technology. By probing the reasons and the processes for the creation of technology standards such as USB, we explore the underlying methods by which firms collaboratively pool intellectual assets while maintaining their competitive edge. Our model identifies and describes the environmental forces that influence technology standards development and sheds lights on governance issues that emanate from such activities. Experiential observations point to opportunities and challenges that call for the deft management of standards-related investments and activities by pace-setting technology firms.

Several shortcomings have surfaced from this study, such as the need for metrics to measure the degree to which technology standards contribute to business objectives, the development of efficient methods to engender collaboration across large multinational corporations, the impact of standards on new product development and the effects of globalization on standards development in emerging economies.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Corporate Strategy Board (1998) Stall points: barriers to growth for the large corporate enterprise. The Corporate Advisory Board, Washington, DC

    Google Scholar 

  2. Keil D (2006) Limits to firm growth: a pilot study. Unpublished paper, Department of Engineering and Technology Management, Portland State University

    Google Scholar 

  3. Neshati R (2009) Towards a theory of growth stall in technology-intensive firms. Paper submitted in fulfillment of independent study requirements, Department of Engineering and Technology Management, Portland State University

    Google Scholar 

  4. http://ade.state.az.us/standards/technology/Rationale.pdf

  5. Hariharan S (1990) Technological compatibility, standards and global competition. Doctoral dissertation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

    Google Scholar 

  6. Cline K, Grindstaff L, Grobman S, Rasheed Y (2008) Innovating above and beyond standards. Intel Technol J 12(4):255–267

    Google Scholar 

  7. Gawer A (2000) The organization of platform leadership. Doctoral dissertation, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

    Google Scholar 

  8. http://www.pcisig.com/membership/about_us/Articles_of_Incorporation/

  9. http://www.leg.state.or.us/ors/

  10. Chiesa V, Toletti G (2003) Standard-setting strategies in the multimedia sector. Int J Innov Manage 7(3):281–308

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Gassman O (2006) Opening up the innovation process: towards an agenda. R&D Manage 36(3):223–228

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Sawhney M, Prandelli E (2000) Communities of creation: managing distributed innovation in turbulent markets. Calif Manage Rev 42(4):24–54

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Horn PM (2005) The changing nature of innovation. Res Technol Manage 48(6):28–33

    Google Scholar 

  14. Ozsomer A, Cavusgil ST (1999) The effects of technology standards on the structure of the global PC industry. Eur J Market 34(9/10):1199–1220

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Sahay A, Riley D (2003) The role of resource access, market considerations, and the nature of innovation in pursuits of standards in the new product development process. J Prod Innov Manage 20(5):338–355

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Utterback JM, Abernathy WJ (1975) A dynamic model of process and product innovation. Omega 3(6):639–656

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Mauri AJ, McMillan GS (1999) The influence of technology on strategic alliances: an application of the Utterback and Abernathy model of product and process innovation. Int J Innov Manage 3(4):367–378

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Burnside B, Witkin L (2008) Forging successful university-industry collaborations. Res Technol Manage 51(2):26–30

    Google Scholar 

  19. Pisano GP, Shih WC (2009) Restoring American competitiveness. Harv Bus Rev 87(7/8):114–125

    Google Scholar 

  20. Alic JA (1991) Policy issues in collaborative research and development. Int Trade J 6(1):63–88

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. http://www.sematech.org/

  22. Coyle K (2005) Standards in a time of constant change. J Acad Librarianship 31(3):280–283

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Sun M, Tse E (2006) The diffusion of competing technology standards. Academy of Management (Best Conference Paper)

    Google Scholar 

  24. Riley D (2007) Factors affecting the pursuit of standards: a theoretical framework. Market Rev 7(2):139–154

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Blind K (2006) Explanatory Factors for Participation in Formal Standardisation Processes: Empirical Evidence at Firm Level. Economics of Innovation & New Technology 15(2):157–170

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Waguespack DM, Fleming L (2009) Scanning the commons? Evidence on the benefits of startups participating in open standards development. Manage Sci 55(2):210–223

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Harryson S (2008) Entrepreneurship through relationships—navigating from creativity to commercialization. R&D Manage 38(3):290–310

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. http://us.blu-raydisc.com/#/pages/whatisblu

  29. Porter ME (1983) Note on the structural analysis of industries. HBS case 9-376-054

    Google Scholar 

  30. Hemphill TA (2007) Firm patent strategies in US technology standards development. Int J Innov Manage 11(4):469–496

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Simcoe TS, Graham SJH, Feldman MP (2009) Competing on standards? Entrepreneurship, intellectual property, and platform technologies. J Econ Manage Strat 18(3):775–816

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. http://www.intel.com/technology/usb/

  33. http://www.usb.org/home

  34. http://www.maximumpc.com/

  35. http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/library/pa-spec1.html

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Intel Corporation, Hillsboro, OR, USA

    Ramin Neshati

  2. Engineering and Technology Management Department, Portland State University, Portland, OR, USA

    Tugrul U. Daim

Authors
  1. Ramin Neshati
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Tugrul U. Daim
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ramin Neshati .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Engineering and Technology Management, Portland State University, Portland, Oregon, USA

    Tugrul U. Daim

  2. Intel Corporation, Hillsboro, Oregon, USA

    Ramin Neshati

  3. Nike, Inc., Beaverton, Oregon, USA

    Russell Watt

  4. Tri Quint Semiconductos, Hillsboro, Oregon, USA

    James Eastham

Appendices

Appendix 1: Exhibits

Fig. 9.1
figure 1

Trends in the formation of centralized SDOs and decentralized SIGs [35]

Full size image
Table 9.1 Comparison between SDOs and SIGs [35]
Full size table
Table 9.2 Survey results of factors influencing technology standards development
Full size table
Fig. 9.2
figure 2

Model for technology standard development (adapted from Porter, 1983)

Full size image
Fig. 9.3
figure 3

Standards development model applied to the case of the USB technology

Full size image
Fig. 9.4
figure 4

The USB technology transfer model

Full size image

Appendix 2: Data

Survey data from eight technologists in the greater Portland metropolitan area are shown below. Names and company affiliations are not reproduced in deference to requests for anonymity. The PCM software tool was used to obtain priority results.

Factors in standards development

            

PCM data

              

Decision criteria

              

S1 = cost

              

S2 = usability

              

S3 = compatibility

              

S4 = synergy

              

S5 = longevity

              

S6 = leadership

              
 

S1–S2

S1–S3

S1–S4

S1–S5

S1–S6

S2–S3

S2–S4

S2–S5

S2–S6

S3–S4

S3–S5

S3–S6

S4–S5

S4–S6

S5–S6

Respondent 1

40 60

40 60

50 50

50 50

70 30

60 40

60 40

40 60

60 40

55 45

60 40

60 40

60 40

70 30

70 30

Respondent 2

40 60

30 70

50 50

50 50

60 40

60 40

60 40

60 40

60 40

45 55

60 40

60 40

50 50

70 30

70 30

Respondent 3

55 45

50 50

60 40

65 35

60 40

40 60

40 60

60 40

60 40

50 50

60 40

55 45

65 35

65 35

60 40

Respondent 4

50 50

20 80

60 40

50 50

70 30

50 50

60 40

50 50

70 30

60 40

60 40

70 30

50 50

50 50

80 20

Respondent 5

40 60

30 70

60 40

50 50

60 40

60 40

60 40

40 60

60 40

50 50

60 40

55 45

50 50

60 40

60 40

Respondent 6

40 60

40 60

50 50

50 50

50 50

50 50

60 40

70 30

70 30

50 50

50 50

70 30

70 30

60 40

60 40

Respondent 7

30 70

30 70

30 70

30 70

50 50

60 40

60 40

60 40

60 40

50 50

30 70

70 30

50 50

50 50

70 30

Respondent 8

60 40

50 50

50 50

60 40

70 30

50 50

60 40

70 30

60 40

60 40

60 40

50 50

70 30

50 50

40 60

PCM results

 

S1

S2

S3

S4

S5

S6

         

Max

0.21

0.24

0.26

0.19

0.23

0.15

         

Min

0.09

0.14

0.17

0.13

0.1

0.08

         

Mean

0.16

0.19

0.2

0.17

0.16

0.12

         

Std dev

0.04

0.03

0.03

0.02

0.04

0.02

         

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2014 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Neshati, R., Daim, T.U. (2014). Technology Standards Development: A Framework. In: Daim, T., Neshati, R., Watt, R., Eastham, J. (eds) Technology Development. Innovation, Technology, and Knowledge Management. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-05651-7_9

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation