Standardization Efforts:The Relationship between Knowledge Dimensions, Search Processes and Innovation Outcomes

Zongjie Xie, Jeremy Hall, Ian P. McCarthy, Martin Skitmore and Liyin Shen

Published in the journal: Technovation and available for free here

Standardization is the process of developing and implementing specifications based on the consensus of the views of firms, users, interest groups and governments (Xie et al 2016)Xie et al 2016. Standardization efforts: The relationship between knowledge

dimensions, search processes and innovation outcomes. Technovation. 48-49. 69-78

Standards can be developed and governed by Standards Development Organizations (SDO) or independently by firms who have a first mover or dominant position in the market.

The case for and against standards

For:

Cost savings via ease of use and optimal operations

Helps diffuse successful innovations within and across markets

Against:

Constrains competing innovations

Postpones the gestation period between invention and successful commercialization

HOW TO USE STANDARDS AND INNOVATE

A standardization effort is when a firm pursues standards to further innovation.

It involves different search processes for different knowledge and different innovation outcomes.

STANDARDIZATION EFFORTSKnowledg

edimension

s

Search processes

Types of innovation outcome

A firm’s standardization effort

Xie et al 2016. Standardization efforts: The relationship between knowledge dimensions, search processes and innovation outcomes. Technovation. 48-49. 69-78

STANDARDIZATION EFFORTS

Two types of knowledge dimension: knowledge codification and knowledge complexity

Four types of search: active, integrative, decentralized and passive

Four types of innovations outcome: modular, radical, incremental and architectural.

Standardization efforts: a typology ofsearch processes and innovation outcomes

Active search

Modular innovation

Integrative search

Radical innovation

Decentralized search

Incremental innovation

Passive search

Architectural innovation

Low HighKnowledge complexity

Low

High

Know

ledg

e co

dific

atio

n

Xie et al 2016. Standardization efforts: The relationship between knowledge dimensions, search processes and innovation outcomes. Technovation. 48-49. 69-78

Standardization efforts employ different types of search to acquire and assimilate different dimensions of knowledge and produce different innovation outcomes.

A single standardization effort can shift between different search processes overtime.

Professor of Technology and Operations ManagementBeedie School of Business Simon Fraser University

Ian McCarthy

Dr. Ian McCarthy

@toffeemen68