Engagement in ICT standardization: Pushing the patents or questing for knowledge?

Abstract

Strategies for managing organizational knowledge in modern companies can have many alternatives which are not mutually exclusive - like safeguarding knowledge through IPR mechanisms and sharing knowledge in standardization processes. This research explores how perception of patents and standards influence ICT firms' engagement in standardization. Departing from the "forum shopping" approach, the research investigates whether patenting has a different influence on the probability of a firm to engage in ICT formal standardization and/or in standards consortia. Our investigation enriches the shopping model considering as well whether firms perceiving standards as source of information for their innovation are more likely to engage in standardization activities. Additionally, we investigate the potential moderating role of firm size. Results show that smaller firms are more motivated by the quest for knowledge during standardization while larger firms are more sensitive to the importance of patent.