Studying standardization: a review of the literature

We review the literature on standards, looking in particular at how scholars in the social sciences have approached the topic. We began by discussing various historical meanings and motivations for standardization. Next we examine various approaches to studying standards, distinguishing between development contexts and social effects of standards, as well as functionalist and constructivist viewpoints. We then point out some recurring themes in the study of standardization such as the relationship between global and local orders and role of standards as social technologies. We close by suggesting some possible lines for further inquiry.