Innovation and Legislation: Standardization in Conflict

Sherrie Bolin, President & CEO The Bolin Group

8/22/2008
(Original Publish Date: 12/5/2003)

Is standardization in conflict, caught in a tug of war between innovation and legislation? Certainly the general perception is that innovation and standardization are in conflict; two mechanisms at opposite ends of the spectrum. But perhaps we shouldn't be so quick to accept this long held assumption. After all, there was a time when the world assumed that blood letting was the cure to all maladies when it in fact diminished the health of already ill patients. Could we be making the same mistake with innovation and standardization by believing that total freedom without constraints is the best way to spur innovation? And what is the relationship between standardization and legislation? Is legislation pulling standardization too far in its own direction, in effect, constraining the positive effects it can have on the market or its potential as a stimulus for innovation? Then again, perhaps legislation is providing too much freedom, taking a "look the other way" approach that is allowing standardization to slowly sink under its own internal battles and proliferating lawsuits?