standard

A standard is a regularity of interfaces between different >elementary processes, diachronic and synchronic. The corresponding >rule denotes a class of common properties of >knowledge that allows processes with the same class of knowledge to be coordinated with each other. Standards are a universal phenomenon of evolution, because they are crucial for the integration of systems and for the maintenance of order especially in the >VSR-mechanism. One of the primordial examples is the genetic code.

In EE, standards are especially important in >communication processes, the emergence of intersubjective >meaning and in >technology. >Bimodally, standards include rules of knowledge that are connectible as well as patterns of matter-energy that fit to each other. A technological standard, for example, consists of the special design of devices and of the rules that underly their production, so that different processes can be linked via a common interface. This implies that in standards both referential and non-referential knowledge can be involved in different mixes, as is obvious for every user of a foreign language who realizes that it is very difficult to reproduce idiomatic usages even if knowledge of formal grammar and lexicon is perfect.

In the >market context, standards are very important for the dissemination of institutions and technologies, because they impact on the competition among, for example, different communication technologies. Some results of the economics of technological networks can be generalized for abstract networks, as, for example, the possibility of >path-dependencies in evolution because of time lags of market entry of competing technologies and institutions.

An important issue is the relation between evolutionary processes and human design in standard setting. In many cases where standards show properties of public goods, standard setting requires consensus of standard users, unless the standard is imposed by an authority. One important case arises, for example, if following standards requires particular capacities of users which become useless if a different standard is to be followed ("sunk cost"). Other standards can be self-reinforcing because mere self-interested coordination works.

Basic References

In the context of the economics of network technologies, there has been a burgeoning literature in the recent years, some of which is accessible via the Internet:
Economides' site
Tesfatsion's site

Semantic Field
network   rule/regularity
technology   institution
elementary process   standard   communication