Improving the Standardization Process

Michael Spring, Department of Information Science, University of Pittsburgh, Christal Grisham, Department of Information Science, University of Pittsburgh, Jon O'Donnell, Department of Information Science, University of Pittsburgh, Ingjerd Skogseid, Department of Information Science, University of Pittsburgh, Andrew Snow, Department of Information Science, University of Pittsburgh, George Tarr, Department of Information Science, University of Pittsburgh, and Peihan Wang, Department of Information Science, University of Pittsburgh

1/01/2005
(Original Publish Date: 2000)

Standards, particularly information technology(IT) standards, have been the subject of much attention over the last few years. The proliferation of computing devices, the dramatic increase in the extent of network connections, and the varied applications of information technology have all intensified the need for a comprehensive and consistent set of standards. The importance of standards has been highlighted in the planning for the National Information Infrastructure and by the High Performance Computing and Communications Initiative. Interest in standards has also grown with the increasing attention to global commerce. In particular, the success of the GATT talks in eliminating many of the traditional trade barriers has increased the attention on standards as a mechanism by which free global trade can be restricted, or enhanced (Garcia, 1992).