Reflexive standardization of network technology

摘要

This paper investigates a JTC1 working group to identify how formal standards processes are evolving in response to globalization and the emergence of consortium standardization. It is found that being part of the formal standards development systems provides a source of legitimacy, but also limits the freedom for the process to replicate the structures of consortia. Their standardization process is deeply reflexive, with focuses on maintaining legitimacy and negotiating the boundaries where their activities impinge on other processes. It is argued that the structure of committees of multiple national standards bodies feeding national requirements into the global processes by responding to ballots resolutions and nominating representatives is increasingly anachronistic in a world of global communications, more open standards development, global technology companies and the weakening of the ability of states to identify a national interest in technology policy.