This paper examines the competitive dynamics in a standard-based industry through a historical examination of the U.S. home video industry. It analyzes how the Blu-ray technology wins the battle of the high definition DVD market over HD-DVD technology, by focusing on the aspects of the first-mover advantages, network effects. The analysis suggests that the success in the network-based industry partially support to traditional argument on first-mover advantages; they were important only to the point that the first mover takes advantages of the lead time to develop a network of complementary products. This study illustrates that building a network of complementary products and installed base should be the primary goal to succeed in the standard setting competition.

This paper examines the competitive dynamics in a standard-based industry through a historical examination of the U.S. home video industry. It analyzes how the Blu-ray technology wins the battle of the high definition DVD market over HD-DVD technology, by focusing on the aspects of the first-mover advantages, network effects. The analysis suggests that the success in the network-based industry partially support to traditional argument on first-mover advantages; they were important only to the point that the first mover takes advantages of the lead time to develop a network of complementary products. This study illustrates that building a network of complementary products and installed base should be the primary goal to succeed in the standard setting competition.