Standardization ensures technologies work together. As innovations continue, standardization continues to ensure the integration of hardware and software and, since the advent of smartphones, it has become easier and easier to take for granted the synchronous use of mobile networks, operating systems, and apps. Myeongwan Kim, a PhD candidate with the Department of Economics, has been researching how the Chinese government has been advancing specific homegrown technologies toward the international standard-setting organization (SSO) that sets these standards for compatibility in mobile communications. His findings are described in the paper Exporting State-Promoted Technologies and the Direction of Global Innovation: Evidence from 5G Standardization.

“The Chinese government provides guidance on which specific technologies to promote by publishing policy documents, essentially white papers, and ensures all Chinese firms participating in standard setting comply with this guidance,” Kim explained. “They meet all Chinese firms before each standardization meeting to share their political priorities and ensure compliance. If firms don’t comply, they face punishment, as seen with Lenovo in 2016. This shows that regardless of whether firms are private or state-owned, they must follow the government’s political objectives in the area of 5G standardization.” [Read more…]