The Evolvement of Standards in China: Insights from the Electric Vehicle Sector

This book analyses why Chinese technology standards deviate from international standards. The research it contains is based on four periods of field research in Beijing that involved 70 expert interviews. The data gathered throughout these interviews resulted in a detailed case study on the Chinese standardisation system and particularly the electric vehicle sector. The book’s application of complexity theory shows that the evolvement of deviating standards is a substantial component in the development of the Chinese standardisation system. This is further explained by its use of a ‘Three Phase Standardisation Development Concept’. This book fills a gap in existing research, especially because it focuses on a developing country with a standardisation system that is in transition. Sabrina Weithmann focuses her research on green technology and conducts research on the impact of related business models on standardisation and regulation in the energy sector.