THESIS, ANTITHESIS (SYNTHESIS?)
Twenty years ago, we had one, traditional, global standard setting system. Then, with the rise of consortia, the IT industry had two systems. We still do, and perhaps not the best of either.
STANDARDS, CYCLES AND EVOLUTION: LEARNING FROM THE PAST IN A NEW ERA OF CHANGE
hroughout most of the Twentieth Century, the world worked to create a rational, centralized, democratic system of standard setting. Then, a significant portion of one industry opted out when the demands on that system changed. Now, the system is once again under stress. What will happen this time?
THE RISE OF THE METASTANDARD CONSORTIUM
Standard setting organizations, like any other type of entity, can get trapped in stovepipes. It takes a new type of organization to come up with the standards-based solutions demanded by a modern, networked world.
ALL SOCIAL STANDARDS ARE LOCAL (OR ARE THEY?)
Throughout most of history, business behavior, like other behavior, was affected by social standards. What happens when business consolidates and quarterly profits are all that matter?