Standardization catch-up strategy of latecomer enterprises: a longitudinal case of Huawei
Abstract The existing theoretical framework fails to explain the behavioral mechanisms employed by latecomer enterprises in their pursuit of standardization catch-up. In order to address this gap, we conducted a comprehensive and structured case study on Huawei’s standardization strategy. Using both...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Springer Nature
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Humanities & Social Sciences Communications |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-04464-0 |
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| author | Wei Yang Yurong Zhang |
| author_facet | Wei Yang Yurong Zhang |
| author_sort | Wei Yang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract The existing theoretical framework fails to explain the behavioral mechanisms employed by latecomer enterprises in their pursuit of standardization catch-up. In order to address this gap, we conducted a comprehensive and structured case study on Huawei’s standardization strategy. Using both deductive and inductive approaches, the findings from our research reveal Huawei’s ‘pyramid standardization strategy’ consisting of four distinct stages: following (1987–2002), defense (2003–2008), breakthrough (2009–2015), and sharing (2016–present). Drawing from the theoretical framework of academic literature on ‘catch-up in standardization’, we propose a ‘standardization catch-up model’ that incorporates three crucial elements: a top-down behavioral foundation, middle-up essential supporting components, and bottom-up culture and values. Furthermore, we identified five key propositions from the Huawei case, which emphasize the importance of R&D investment, low-cost engineers, professional teams, relations with international standards organizations, and open innovation as driving factors. By shedding light on the role of internal capabilities, patent-based innovation, and organizational culture, our research significantly contributes to the understanding of catch-up through standardization strategy. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-79d99f05016346d2b8d360a4665adc11 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2662-9992 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | Springer Nature |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Humanities & Social Sciences Communications |
| spelling | doaj-art-79d99f05016346d2b8d360a4665adc112025-02-09T12:25:38ZengSpringer NatureHumanities & Social Sciences Communications2662-99922025-02-0112111610.1057/s41599-025-04464-0Standardization catch-up strategy of latecomer enterprises: a longitudinal case of HuaweiWei Yang0Yurong Zhang1School of Management, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyIntellectual Property Academy, Law School, Shanghai UniversityAbstract The existing theoretical framework fails to explain the behavioral mechanisms employed by latecomer enterprises in their pursuit of standardization catch-up. In order to address this gap, we conducted a comprehensive and structured case study on Huawei’s standardization strategy. Using both deductive and inductive approaches, the findings from our research reveal Huawei’s ‘pyramid standardization strategy’ consisting of four distinct stages: following (1987–2002), defense (2003–2008), breakthrough (2009–2015), and sharing (2016–present). Drawing from the theoretical framework of academic literature on ‘catch-up in standardization’, we propose a ‘standardization catch-up model’ that incorporates three crucial elements: a top-down behavioral foundation, middle-up essential supporting components, and bottom-up culture and values. Furthermore, we identified five key propositions from the Huawei case, which emphasize the importance of R&D investment, low-cost engineers, professional teams, relations with international standards organizations, and open innovation as driving factors. By shedding light on the role of internal capabilities, patent-based innovation, and organizational culture, our research significantly contributes to the understanding of catch-up through standardization strategy.https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-04464-0 |
| spellingShingle | Wei Yang Yurong Zhang Standardization catch-up strategy of latecomer enterprises: a longitudinal case of Huawei Humanities & Social Sciences Communications |
| title | Standardization catch-up strategy of latecomer enterprises: a longitudinal case of Huawei |
| title_full | Standardization catch-up strategy of latecomer enterprises: a longitudinal case of Huawei |
| title_fullStr | Standardization catch-up strategy of latecomer enterprises: a longitudinal case of Huawei |
| title_full_unstemmed | Standardization catch-up strategy of latecomer enterprises: a longitudinal case of Huawei |
| title_short | Standardization catch-up strategy of latecomer enterprises: a longitudinal case of Huawei |
| title_sort | standardization catch up strategy of latecomer enterprises a longitudinal case of huawei |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-04464-0 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT weiyang standardizationcatchupstrategyoflatecomerenterprisesalongitudinalcaseofhuawei AT yurongzhang standardizationcatchupstrategyoflatecomerenterprisesalongitudinalcaseofhuawei |