Learning Outcomes
Standards and standardisation are ubiquitous. Successful examples are mobile telephones, which rapid diffusion benefited in Europe by the timely release of the GSM standard, and laser technology, for which the German industry achieved via early standardisation a leading position both in Europe and worldwide.
Some of these standards we are aware of like standardised paper sizes, standards in the www, plugs and sockets of electronic equipment, bolts matching nuts etc.. Other standards we may not be aware of like standards for the height of steps on a flight of stairs or standards for the safety of playground equipment.
Even though we might not be aware of all types of standards they both have an impact on our modern life and at the same time are important tools of strategical entrepreneurship as well as relevant for industry at large, policy and society.
In this respect, the relevance of standards can take many forms, Some are elements of the technical infrastructure of our society. Other standards facilitate the exchange of goods and services. Other standards again provide users with a common terminology or accepted aspects of measuring and testing. Standardisation can be channel of knowledge and technology transfer. Standards can contribute to the integration of economic areas, like the Single European Market, via their integration into the European health, environmental and safety regulations. Maybe most important from an economist and business perspective and at the same time surely the least understood aspect of standards and standardisation is their relationship to innovation. The reason for the lack of understanding of this relationship mainly is due to the fact that standards do not automatically spur innovation. Rather, certain aspects of standards can have a beneficial effect while others might hold the danger of reducing innovation. The discipline of standardisation research can provide valuable insights into this relationship and help to strengthen the positive aspects of standards and standardisation.
This series of introductory lectures will cover the topic of standards and standardisation from a holistic perspective integrating findings from the field of standardisation research on the relation of standards and innovation, the role of standards in innovation policy as well as practical knowledge about standards, standardisation and of standardisation work into a coherent curriculum. Students passing this curriculum will have a better understanding not only of the economic theories behind standards and standardisation but also will have a better understanding how standards have an impact on microlevel of companies, the macrolevel of the national, european and global innovation landscape, the relevance of standards in innovation policy or R&D policy and the relation between standadisation and regulation. Moreover, the students will be introduced to the different institutions that make up the vast standardisation landscape at the national, European and international level, how these levels and institutions interact, which rules govern standardisation and how both public and private stakeholders can participate in successful standardisation work.
