In this paper, we study technical standards as drivers of coopetition in international markets. In particular, we analyse to what extent and under which conditions emission standards are drivers of coopetition strategy for commercializing new products in the world and, we survey 457 coopetitive alliances in 59 countries. We perform a logit regression analysis to test the probability that standards affect significantly on the coopetitive alliance development in international markets. Our findings clarify that the entry into force of a standard leads companies to develop similar or compatible technologies, which practically enable technological convergence and that regulatory standards lead coopetitive alliances’ partners to innovation when they are engaged into a mutual technology transfer. This research provides three contributions. First, it describe standards as driver of coopetition. Second, it provides a deeper understanding of the standard effect on the probability of developing coopetitive alliances into domestic and international markets. Finally, when conforming to standards requires cross technology transfer between partners, this increases the likelihood of developing coopetitive alliances in international markets.
