Firms' Strategic Standardization : A Case Study by their Management Objectives

전략적 표준화의 유형별 기업사례분석

In the knowledge and network economy, standards and standardization become an important factor in determining the competitiveness of nations and firms. This paper analyses some cases of firms' strategic standardization. We defined the concept of standards, standardization, strategic standardization, and standardization management, which have been unfamiliar in the academic society. The standardization strategy can be categorized into four types according to firm's management objectives or benefits, including technological innovation, market creation/extension. cost-down, and accreditation. This classification of standardization strategy is very useful in analysing the various kinds of the cases of strategic standardization implementation. We found that standards and standardization have a positive influence on firm's overall performance. In some cases, for example, Dell Computer, Sun Microsystems, Deere & Company, etc., strategic standardization plays a role as a key success factor(KSF).