Patenting and standardization: Similarities and differences based on firms' strategic motives and experienced barriers

This paper examines the relationship between patenting and formal standardization participation. We review the existing literature on the motivations and barriers to patenting and participation in formal standardization. Based on conceptual considerations derived in the literature review, propositions regarding the relations between patenting and standardization motives and barriers are derived. The empirical analysis is based on a sample of German firms being active in patenting or standardization, with more than half doing both. In general, the motives, as well as the barriers to patenting, are closely related to those in standardization. Firms use the two complementary instruments to promote cooperation as well as strategies to meet competitive goals. Related to the barriers, both strategies suffer both from internally and externally determined resource barriers. Finally, recommendations for firms' patenting and standardization management are derived.