In this paper, we question the institutional entrepreneur agency in standardization. Firms are called to participate in the standardization process to propose projects for new standards. However, entering the standardization process demands that the entrepreneur endorses the role of an institutional entrepreneur and undertakes actions that may lead to failure or success. Based on a research action approach, we follow two projects belonging to the same domain from the inside of a Technical Committee. One succeeds while the other fails. This leads us to specifically describe the actions undertaken step by step and to question the entrepreneur agency. Our findings clarify the layout between agency and structure in the institutional work in standardization bodies. Standardization limits its agency through the cultural, socio structure and socio psychological contexts. However, the proposer can develop his agency through framing the context, enacting a collaborative network, facilitating institutional arrangements, enacting the political and collective process.
