1

Understanding key features of the

TD-SCDMA development process in China

Xudong GAO

School of Economics and Management, Tsinghua University

Tsinghua University Research Center for Technological innovation

2

Agenda

• Research questions

• Research methodology and data collection

• Understanding the delay in adopting TD-SCDMA

• Understanding the final adoption of TD-SCDMA

• Discussion and conclusion

3

Research questions

• Given big opportunity for local firms and Chinese Economy ， why the adoption process of TD-SCDMA takes so long a time;

• Why TD-SCDMA is finally adopted?

4

Research methodology and data collection

• Case study method– The adoption process of the TD-SCDMA standard

has its unique features – Development of some key technologies after, not

before accepted as a 3G mobile communications standard

– Key developer of the TD-SCDMA is not as strong as the other two standards

• Interview as the main method

5

Understanding the delay in adopting TD-SCDMA

• Direct reasons : Ambiguities y of value chain support – The service providers

• Indirect reasons : The impact of technology, market and policy uncertainties– The huge impact of policy uncertainty– TD-SCDMA must be adopted in China?

6

Understanding the final adoption of TD-SCDMA

• Indigenous innovation as a national strategy

• Focusing on making TD-SCDMA mature

• Associate TD-SCDMA with national strategy – The importance of the informal decision

making system

7

Discussion and conclusion

• Difficulty for latecomer to develop standard

• The mechanisms for government to play supportive role – The relationship between firm strategy and

government policy

• Questions for future research

8

• 祝各位身体健康，工作愉快 !