Ivk Innovation

Considering IVK's case, strict standardization appears as a hurdle standing in the path of its innovation. But it actually depends on the way in which standardization is enforced upon. If we are speaking of newer technologies or products with short shelf lives, the rising tide of evidence says standards are having more and more of a positive impact on innovation[1] (Thomas,2008).

A report by the German Institute for Standardization (DIN) has noted that standardization forms the basis for successful innovation. The study contends, among other things, that companies that participate actively in standards work have a head start on their competitors in adapting to market demands and new technologies [1] (Thomas,2008). But excess of standardization never allows this head start to move ahead. Standards hinder the adoption of newer technologies which might be emerging and valuable in the long run ahead and therefore have a significant collective effect on innovation like in case for an organization like IVK. Hence it is necessary to categorize the technologies into different types that will decide whether or not the technology being adopted is emerging that would make way for innovation. If it is declining, then the technology should be discarded and should not be bothered to be standardized with the rest. So in order to allow innovation, neither of the two extreme options of doing nothing or strict enforcement would work.

Considering IVK's needs for both innovation as well as standardization, the best option to choose would be the third option of gradual migration. This would calm the discontent amongst the employees regarding their differences of opinions of whether to standardize all the hardwares and softwares completely or not to bother about standardization at all. If we think from a long term perspective, this option will pave a way for a more standardized infrastructure. As the kid said and I agree with him, that even though a strict standardization would be ideal, it wouldn't be a realistic approach. We need to take into consideration different circumstances and accordingly sort them, store them, and label them whenever they are applicable and valuable. We cannot use the same standardized technology everywhere. If a vendor requires implementation of a non-standard software or equipment which might be the best and cost-efficient investment, then it wouldn't be in the best interests of IVK to disallow the use of such technology only because it's not standardized with the other existing ones. This doesn't mean that the third party or the vendor will get the freedom to adopt the technologies that they want to. Additionally when the three classifications will be made, a check will be put on the demands of the vendor of whether the technology required by the vendor is under emerging, declining or standard types of technology platforms. If the demanded technology is emerging or standard, then it might