The structuring of shared voluntary standards in the U.S. semiconductor industry: Communicating to reach agreement

Abstract

Although pervasive in modern organizations, standards have been neglected in organizational communications research. Qualitative study of the SEMATECH consortium revealed that an important outcome of the efforts of participants was the reflexive structuring of voluntary, cooperative standards in the U.S. semiconductor industry, which had previously operated on the basis of proprietary, competitive standards. Analysis of extensive interview, archival, and observational data suggested that seven incidents were pivotal in the structuring process. These incidents showed how the increased communication initiated by SEMATECH produced new provinces of meaning, actions, and frameworks that engendered cooperation in relations between the supplier and manufacturing sectors of the industry, which had previously been characterized by mutual distrust and conflict.

Key words:

• Standards
• Cooperation
• Structuration
• Semiconductor Industry