The Effect of Incentives on the Performance of International IT Standardization Experts

In this paper, we investigate the determinant factors of performance of global standardization experts in their standardization activities. Standards experts of various nationalities were surveyed to assess incentives that may positively influence the performance of standards professionals. As a basis for this study, we make three main assumptions. First, incentives can be important determinant factors of performance among standards experts. Second, standardization is in the public interest, insofar as the efficiency gains resulting from standardization benefit society as a whole. Third, based on this assumption that standardization is in the public interest, we propose that performance determinants for standardization activities tend to be non-monetary in nature rather than monetary. We find that, in order to improve performance among international standards experts, a better understanding of their aspirations and needs must be gained so that appropriate incentives may be proposed to them. Our analysis reveals that the two most important determinant factors of performance are the recognition of the professional status of international standards experts, and an environment providing support systems to help them perform to their fullest potential.