Standardization of Mobile Communications Technologies in China, Japan, and Korea: A Historical Perspective

East Asian nations (China, Japan, and South Korea) have developed their industries with both technological and educational advances. Japan was able to develop its industries followed by South Korea. Then, China has developed its industries since opening its market. All three nations were first licensed foreign technology innovations and standards in order to manufacture products. In this way, they could export those products as well as develop their home markets. After building production capabilities, they have been transforming into innovators and standard-setters. However, research on technology standardizations has been based on the European- and U.S.A-centered perspectives. This paper goes beyond the European- and U.S.A.-centered perspectives on technology standardizations, especially, in standardizing mobile communications technologies through a comparative analysis of EU, U.S.A., China, Japan, and Korea. Particularly, the contrasting developments among the three Asian nations reveal critical lessons for the limits of techno-nationalism, the pivotal role of well-timed alliances, and the indispensable shift from isolated domestic standardizations to active participation in international standard-setting organizations. The findings enrich standardization literature by highlighting how timing, alliance configuration, and varying balances between sovereignty and cooperation shape the acquisition and global impact of standardization capabilities in network industries. The findings provide a fresh and extensive perspective on researching technology standardizations