Standardisation and persistence of innovation : lessons from a sample of 622 french industrial SMEs

This paper looks at the possible relation that may exist between the fact that a firm takes part in the standardization process and the probability that it would be a persistent innovator. To answer this question, an original sample of 622 French industrial SMEs has been built. Selected statistical techniques show the existence of a weak but reliable positive relation. Firms active in standardization do have a higher probability to be persistent innovators.