Users and standardization—worlds apart? The example of electronic mail

Abstract

We report on and analyze the views of long-standing active members of standards-setting working groups in electronic communications. We focus in particular on their experiences of, and attitudes towards, user participation in standardization. The results reveal attitudes that differ considerably from the official statement. To complement the views of standards professionals, we explore the attitude of large corporate email users towards standardization in general, the impact standards have on their apparent reluctance to play an active role in standardization. This includes a closer look at the ways in which email has emerged in organizations, and on what corporate users actually expect email of offer. A typical pattern can be identified, which in turn helps explain the reluctance of corporate users to actively participate in standards setting. Finally, we consider the implications of this and conclude with some recommendations on how the current situation could be improved.