Landy and Mastrobattista
(2008) define standards as “… technical specifications that are designed to
promote interchange, communication and commonality in products.” Standards
are essential to everyday work and there are many reasons for a company to
choose to participate in standards. Landy and Mastrobattista (2008) offer
excellent reasons for companies to abide by standards, such as becoming an
early adopter in the field (Catching the Wave), becoming a leader in the field
(Leader’s Wave), providing input into the creation of the standard (Steering
the Technology), and getting an early jump on the competition with marketing
(Market Insights).
The big question is why
industries spend money, energy and time in pursuit of agreeing upon standards
that takes months and years to document when the technology is typically
outdated six months after its release. The Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC)
answers this question and illustrates why their company takes a lead in
developing and documenting standards in their industry even if the technology
is outdated by the time they finish the process. The DEC believes that
participation in the standardization process and using the information gathered
provides the company with a valuable business advantage in product planning and
sales (Hurd, 1998). They receive a competitive edge over their opponents by
participating in standards which could lead to thousands of dollars or more.
References
Hurd, John. (1998). Why
does digital participate in standards? Computer, 31(6) 95-103.
Landy, G., and
Mastrobattista, A. (2008). The IT / Digital Legal Companion: A Comprehensive
Business Guide to Software, IT, Internet, Media and IP Law. Syngress:
Burlington. ISBN-13: 978-1597492560
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