Transcript Standardisation Processes explained by Regional Innovation

Standardisation Processes
explained by Regional
Innovation Systems
TMP Graduate Consortium, MIT
Quirine van Voorst tot Voorst
Department of Innovation Studies, Utrecht University
Philips Applied Technologies – Shanghai / Eindhoven
Boston, June 28, 2005
Overview Presentation
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Problem area
Hypothesis
Methodology
Sources of data
Findings
– Standardisation processes
– Innovation Systems
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Conclusions
Questions
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Problem Area
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The policy importance of standards is
growing:
– Standardisation policy is one of China’s pillars to
move beyond ‘manufacturer of the world’ status
– European Commission extends use of standards
to support legislation and policies
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Problem Area
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Standardisation processes are
organised differently in various regions
Literature suggests that this is because
of the regional innovation system in
which standardisation takes place
However, this innovation system has
not been clearly defined yet
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Hypothesis
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Standardisation processes are shaped
by the regional innovation system
– Standardisation process: the process of drawing up rules
(standards) to create order or unity in areas where
diversity is needless or undesirable (Egyedi, 1996)
– Innovation System: the network of institutions in the
public and private sectors whose activities and interactions
initiate, import, modify and diffuse new technologies
(Freeman, 1987)
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Why Regional Innovation
Systems?
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China
– The provinces and municipalities vary largely in
competences and capabilities
– Not all provinces contribute equally to the
innovation system
– So the focus is on certain regions rather than on
the whole country (mainly Shanghai, Beijing and
Guangdong)
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Europe
– National approach is too limited: large
technological projects like technical
standardisation processes are trans-national
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Methodology
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Investigation and comparison of
standardisation processes in China and
Europe using case studies
 Result: main aspects of differences
Linkage of these aspects with innovation
system functions
Investigation of fulfilment of these functions
in China and Europe (how and by whom)
Comparison of differences in standardisation
processes and differences in innovation
systems
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Sources of Data
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Literature study
Internet search
Interviews with academia and industry
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Findings:
Standardisation Processes
Case studies: Digital Terrestrial
Television (DTT) in China and
Europe
Process DTT
China
Europe
Initiative
Government
All stakeholders
Control
Government
Steering Board DVB
Development of Universities & some All stakeholders
Requirements
local companies
welcome, main role
(MNCs & broadcasters
are excluded!)
for broadcasters &
manufacturers
Funding
Low: steps
determined ad hoc,
little communication
Government
High: steps welldefined, open
communication
All participants
IPR Policy
Still unclear
Clear from
beginning
Transparency
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Linking Standardisation
with Innovation Systems
Aspects of
Standardisation Process
Functions of Innovation
Systems
Development of
Requirements
Creation of Technological
Knowledge
Exchange of Information
through Networks
Initiative and Control
Funding
Regulation and Formation of
Markets
Supply of Resources
IPR Policy
IPR Policy
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Findings:
Innovation Systems
Focus on China
(Europe still under investigation)
China’s Innovation
System (1)
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Technological knowledge
– R&D/GDP is lower than in Western countries
– Most research is done in universities and research
institutes, little in companies
– More focus on development than on basic research
– MNCs are main source of new technologies
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Source: Lan Xue, 2002
China’s Innovation
System (2)
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Exchange of information through networks
– Little interaction between research –
manufacturing – market
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Regulation and formation of markets
– Chinese government used to prescribe all
activities and interactions of companies
– Influence of the government is decreasing, but is
still important
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IPR policy
– Formal IPR framework is improving, but effective
enforcement is still lacking
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Innovation Systems and
Standardisation Processes
compared: China
China
Innovation System
Standardisation Process
Function
Fulfilment
Fulfilment
Aspect
Technological
Knowledge
Mainly
universities,
MNCs, some
local companies
Little user
involvement
Universities,
some local
companies
Development of
Requirements
Large
government
influence
Under
development
Government
Initiative and
Control
Still unclear
IPR Policy
Exchange of
Information
Regulation &
Market
IPR Policy
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Users
(broadcasters)
not involved
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Summary & Conclusions
(tentative)
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Standardisation processes in China are quite
different from those in Europe…
… but these differences can largely be
explained by the regional innovation system
(creators of technological knowledge,
existing networks, regulation, IPR policy).
Since China’s Innovation System is under
reform, the standardisation processes are
likely to change.
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Questions?