The Impact of Corporate Dominance, Geographic Proximity, and Technological Proximity on consortia Success

Abstract

This thesis examines the interactions within standard-setting consortia within the Audio/
Video/Multimedia sector, focusing on large company dominance, geographical proximity,
and technological proximity. It aims to uncover how these factors individually
and collectively influence the success of these consortia. The guiding research question is:
“What combinations of large company dominance, geographic proximity, and technological
proximity lead to successful outcomes in standard-setting consortia?”
Using Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA), the study reveals that successful consortia
strike a balance in large company influence, maintain significant geographical proximity,
and ensure proper technological alignment. While large company dominance significantly
impacts consortium success, an optimal balance is essential to avoid power struggles and
foster effective collaboration. Geographical proximity, especially at the UN subregion level,
consistently contributes to success by enhancing trust and communication. Technological
proximity within industry groups is beneficial but must be complemented by other factors
to significantly impact outcomes. It’s clear that the success of consortia is best understood
through specific configurations of these variables rather than any single factor alone.
To evaluate consortium success, the study employs a multifactor framework focusing on the
creation of standards, their adoption, and scholarly recognition. This framework combines
qualitative and quantitative measures, providing a comprehensive assessment of consortium
performance.
The research makes a valuable contribution to the field by offering empirical evidence on
the strategic influence of large companies within standard-setting consortia. It extends
the understanding of how large firms drive innovation while balancing the contributions
of smaller participants. The study also offers nuanced insights into the roles of geographical
and technological proximities, emphasizing their combined effects on consortium success.
These findings are useful for both theoretical knowledge and practical applications,
informing technology management practices and shaping policies that support effective
standard-setting efforts.
From a Management of Technology perspective, this thesis demonstrates how strategic engagement
in standard-setting consortia can enhance a firm’s technological capabilities and
market positioning. Technology managers can leverage these insights to navigate standardsetting
processes more effectively, ensuring that their firms benefit from collaboration while
maintaining an optimal balance of influence.
However, this study acknowledges certain practical limitations. The findings, while insightful
for the Audio/Video/Multimedia sector, may need adaptation when applied to other
industries with different dynamics. Additionally, the reliance on publicly available data
from consortium websites and LinkedIn profiles may lead to practical challenges, such as
gaps or inconsistencies in the data, affecting decision-making. The study’s cross-sectional
approach provides a snapshot of current conditions but does not capture consortium dynamics
over time. Practitioners should consider these factors when applying the insights
to other contexts, and future research should aim to include a wider range of industries
and explore these dynamics longitudinally to inform more adaptive strategies.