Standards as a platform for innovation and learning in the global economy: a case study of the Chilean salmon farming industry

Abstract

The present-day global environment requires different types of knowledge and capabilities for developing countries to 'catch up'. Technological capability and absorptive capacity still play an important role in building competitiveness at the firm level. The purpose of this paper is to show that collective capability as an industry – in addition to firm-level capability – is increasingly becoming crucial in negotiating and influencing the decision-making process at the global level as firms become embedded in the global network of knowledge creation. The case of standards compliance in the Chilean salmon industry is presented as a tangible case to demonstrate the importance of nurturing collective capability as firms interact with global forces. In this case, standards act as a platform for learning to act collectively among networks of stakeholders. The results suggest the importance of paying strategic attention – both at the corporate and policy levels – to upgrade the collective capability of firms in addition to conventional firm-level capabilities.