Technological standards are a cornerstone of the modern information economy, affecting firm strategy, market performance and, by extension, economic growth. While there is general agreement that swift movement to superior technological standards is a worthwhile goal, there is much less agreement on the central policy questions: do markets choose efficient standards? How do standards organizations affect the development of standards? And finally, what constitutes appropriate public policy toward standards? In this volume, leading researchers in public policy on standards, including both academics and industry experts, focus on these key questions. Given the dearth of applied work on standards and public policy, this volume significantly advances the frontier of knowledge in this critical but understudied area. It will be essential reading for academic and industrial researchers as well as policymakers.

'Building a better understanding of standards 'wars' is of paramount importance to policy makers and practicing managers alike. This collection of intriguing papers is simultaneously refreshingly pragmatic and academically rigorous - an unusual combination that will ensure this volume becomes a standard reference for years to come.'

Rebecca Henderson - Eastman Kodak Professor of Management, Sloan School of Management, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

‘Standards are playing an increasingly critical role in shaping high-technology industries around the globe. But our understanding of the nature and effectiveness of the standardization process, and the proper public policies in regard to standards, remain at a quite early stage. This volume will play an important role in addressing this gap, drawing together a variety of thoughtful, contemporary research into these critical questions.’

Josh Lerner - Jacob H. Schiff Professor of Investment Banking, Harvard Business School

'… a good overview of the current research on standardization. It discusses the main gaps in the literature and brings some pertinent answers. … the book succeeds in describing the dynamic evolution of standardization processes over the years and in indicating determining success factors. As such it makes the book pertinent to scholars interested in standardization.'

Source: Competition and Regulation in Network Industries