America's Voluntary Standards System

Dieter Ernst

ISBN 10: 0866382399 / ISBN 13: 9780866382397

Published by East-West Center, 2013

About this Item

Seller Inventory # LU-9780866382397

Bibliographic Details

• Title: America's Voluntary Standards System
• Publisher: East-West Center
• Publication Date: 2013
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0866382399
• ISBN 13: 9780866382397
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: New
• Dimensions: 15.6W x 0.43H x 23.39D centimeters 15.6 centimeters width by 0.43 centimeters height by 23.39 centimeters depth
• Weight: 132 grams

About this title

Synopsis

Across Asia there is a keen interest in the potential advantages of America's market-led system of voluntary standards and its contribution to US innovation leadership in complex technologies.

For its proponents, the US tradition of bottom-up, decentralized, informal, market-led standardization is a "best practice" model for innovation policy. Observers in Asia are, however, concerned about possible drawbacks of a standards system largely driven by the private sector.

This study reviews the historical roots of the American system, examines its defining characteristics, and highlights its strengths and weaknesses. A tradition of decentralized local self-government has given voice to diverse stakeholders in innovation. However, a lack of effective coordination of multiple stakeholder strategies constrains effective and open standardization processes.

Asian countries seeking to improve their standards systems should study the strengths and weaknesses of the American system. Attempts to replicate the US standards system will face clear limitations--persistent differences in Asia's economic institutions, levels of development, and growth models are bound to limit convergence to a US-style market-led voluntary standards system.

About the Author

Ernst is of Copenhagen Business School.