The Impacts of Embeddedness on Competitiveness in Technology Standard-Setting Alliance: From the Perspective of Partner Types and Relations

Abstract

Based on the new economic sociology theory-embedding theory, this paper analyzes the embedded arrangements among the technology standard-setting alliance' partners, as well as the influence of embedded arrangements on the competitiveness of alliance.First of all, it divides the embeddedness into structural embeddedness and relational embeddedness, and divides the competitiveness of technology standard-setting alliance into technical ability and market ability; Then, this paper probes into the influence of two kinds of embedded arrangements on two kinds of competitiveness, and puts forward the research hypothesis; Finally, it takes verified analysis to the proposed hypothesis using the case of IGRS alliance.There are two new founding.(1) On the relational embeddedness mechanism, from the perspective of partner relations, it needs to build strong ties between partners when the enhancement of alliance technology ability depends on the sharing of tacit technologies between partners.Conversely, weak ties are feasible when partners share explicit technologies.From the perspective of partner types, core R&D enterprises should maintain strong ties with large and important manufacturers, and maintain weak ties with small manufacturers and minor technology supporting enterprises.(2) On the structural embeddedness mechanism, it is beneficial to improve the capability of alliance competitiveness, if intermediary organizations participate in standard-setting alliance.