Reprint of: Catching up through the development of technology standard: The case of TD-SCDMA in China

This paper explored the key factors affecting catching up through technology standard development by studying the evolution of TD-SCDMA, one of the three international standards of 3G mobile communications, in China. It was found that this was a complex co-evolution process between firm strategy and government policy aimed mainly at solving the challenges of late-comer disadvantages. The paper also examined the unique features of this co-evolution process, including the importance of the informal social network of non-customer stakeholders, and discussed the theoretical and practical implications of the key findings.

► The paper studied China's catching up through adopting TD-SCDMA, a 3G international standard.
► This is a complex co-evolution process between firm strategy and government policy.
► The co-evolution process is aimed at solving the huge negative impact of late-comer disadvantages.
► The paper offers a new and more complete perspective on TD-SCDMA adoption in China.