Why do firms select different international venues for cooperation in setting standards? Specifically, why do firms choose regional or bilateral strategies for standard-setting, when global standard-setting institutions alread exist? We argue that while strong economic reasons exist for setting compatible international standards, the standard-setting process is often used more as a competitive tool than as a means of expanding networks and markets internationally. Moreover, the selection of a standards strategy also depends on the standard-setting institutions available to firms. Institutions that provide firms whith a higher level of influence either through the exclusion of rivals or by advantageous decision-making mechanisms are more likely to be selected as part of the firm`s strategy. Thus, it is the interaction of interests and political institutions that best explains why overlapping and competing strategies are often chosen
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