Generic definition of standardization and the correlation between innovation and standardization in corporate intellectual property activities

This paper examines the definition of standardization and the statistical correlation between standardization and corporate innovativeness in Japan. Through econometric analysis we test the validity of a definition of standardization that is based on: planning, negotiation, and support. It is calculated using the number of full-time equivalent employees from 2008, 2009 and 2010. To reveal the statistical correlation between corporate innovativeness and standardization, the number of patent applications submitted by a corporation is compared with the number of persons engaged in intellectual property (IP)-related standardization activities, which is a proxy for the number of persons engaged in standardization-related activities. In the case of the electrical machinery industry in Japan, a significant positive relationship was found between corporate innovativeness and standardization in terms of IP activities. Copyright The Author 2012. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com, Oxford University Press.