ABSTRACT Product architecture changes fundamentally through the recombination of existing component technologies, as radical innovation accelerates. We analysed these structural changes in the case of the display industry. We shed light on standards information that could be new indicator to predict technological and industrial innovation. We addressed two issues. First, whether standardisation information is a leading indicator to detect and forecast technological and industrial changes. Second, whether standard information shows technological information flow signalling new technological fields. As methodology, we conducted case studies and empirical analysis using the information on standardisation and standards from the ‘activity process’ and ‘activity result’ viewpoint, respectively. As results, case studies showed a changing role from responsive to anticipatory standards by verifying that recent standardisation activities preceded the time of new product releases in world/Asian markets. We also found out that reconfiguration in the value chain that standardisation in component technologies has contributed to function technological fields. Network analysis using bibliographic information of standards revealed linkage patterns of technological knowledge flows with supporting the case studies. We propose the necessity of active participation in the standardisation process from industrial viewpoint with monitoring the industrial and technological trends. From policy viewpoint, we suggest construction and management of standards-related information system.
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