THE ECONOMICS OF STANDARDIZATION

G M Peter Swann, Manchester Business School, University of Manchester

1/01/2005
(Original Publish Date: 12/11/2000)

This is a small study (20 days) of the economics of standards for the Standards and Trade Regulation Directorate of DTI. The remit for this study was in five parts: (1) to prepare a literature review; (2) to produce a simple overall model describing the economic benefits of standardization; (3) to discuss possible roles for government stemming from this simple model; (4) to discuss an ideal model for government activity; (5) to assess current DTI activity from the perspective of (3) and (4). Chapter 5 includes a short note prepared by Ross Howie, which summarises current DTI expenditures on standardization.