International Journal of IT Standards and Standardization Research, 10(2), 1-13, July-December 2012 1
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Keywords: Information Communication Technologies (ICT), Internationalization, Technology, Wireless
Broadband Internet, Wireless Internet Platform for Interoperability
1. INTRODUCTION
China and Korea are latecomers in the inter-
national ICT standards regime. They are at-
tempting to internationalise their home-grown
technologies. In particular, China has received
much attention from various stakeholders in the
world, including standards-related international
organizations, governments, ICT firms, etc.
Although it has received less attention, Korea
is also challenging the standards regime in
ICT sectors. While there are many studies on
China’s ICT standards (Williams et al., 2011
1
;
Lee et al., 2009; Lee & Oh, 2006; Suttmeier
& Yao, 2004; Suttmeier et al., 2006; Cromer,
2005), there are only a few on Korea’s (Jho,
2007; Wang & Kim, 2007; Kwak et al., 2011).
Both being latecomers, there are differences and
similarities. However, there is no study which
compares the two countries’attempts except Lee
and Oh (2008), which makes a comparison of
case-level with examining only one case from
each country. The motivation of this paper is
that by examining the Korean case, we can
not only better understand and assess China’s
Korea’s Strategies for ICT
Standards Internationalisation:
A Comparison with China’s
Heejin Lee, Yonsei University, Korea
Joon (Chris) Huh, SK Marketing & Company, Korea
ABSTRACT
Korea and China are among the rising challengers in the international ICT (Information Communication and
Technology) standards regime. They are attempting to internationalize their home-grown technologies.As
latecomers they share similarities and display differences. This paper examines two Korean cases (WIPI and
WiBro), and compares with Chinese cases. Thereby it helps to conceptualize and evaluate latecomers’strategies
for international standardization. Comparison of the two countries’strategies for international standardization
is useful and timely particularly considering forthcoming FTA negotiations between the two countries where
TBT (technical barriers to trade) including standards becomes a critical part of the agreement. The cases of
the two countries share some commonalities in terms of origination (local R&D), government leadership and
motivation (reduction of royalties). The main difference is that while Korea is oriented towards the outside,
China is towards the inside, at least by now. Due to its huge domestic markets and global infuence, China’s
standards form a real threat to the incumbent standards from traditional players like US and EU.
DOI: 10.4018/jitsr.2012070101