Selection of technology standardization mode for libraries based on game theory
| Date | 04 September 2019 |
| Pages | 233-250 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/LHT-11-2017-0248 |
| Published date | 04 September 2019 |
| Author | Hong Jiang,Hongtao Xu,Shukuan Zhao,Yong Chen |
| Subject Matter | Library & information science,Librarianship/library management,Library technology,Information behaviour & retrieval,Information user studies,Information & knowledge management,Information & communications technology,Internet |
Selection of technology
standardization mode for libraries
based on game theory
Hong Jiang
School of Management, Jilin University, Changchun, China and
Department of Engineering,
University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
Hongtao Xu
Jilin University, Changchun, China
Shukuan Zhao
School of Management, Jilin University, Changchun, China, and
Yong Chen
School of Business, A.R. Sanchez Jr School of Business,
Texas A&M International University, Laredo, Texas, USA
Abstract
Purpose –Internet of Things (IoT), a strategic emerging industry, has brought a new driving force to the
global economic growth, as well as an effective solution to break the barrier of economic development.
However, standards system of IoT is not yet mature, existing obvious overlapping and even conflicting
standards, and enterprises lack mature technology standardization model, which severely restricts the
structural upgrading and development of IoT. The paper aims to discuss these issues.
Design/methodology/approach –In this regard, this study combs the research context of the IoT,
technology standardization and competition behavior, and analyze technology standardization models of IoT
by combining theory with practice. Using game theory and profit function, this paper analyzes the selection
mechanism of standardization model of IoT enterprises, and explores practical application of these models
using competitive behavior theory.
Findings –First, in the process of standardization, technology standardization model nenterprises is not
single, nor is it immutable. Second, the trend of internationalization of technical standards is becoming more
and more obvious. Third, if LoT enterprises want to achieve their own technology standardization, the
corresponding competitive behavior is essential. Fourth, with the change of innovation capability and market
forces, the competitive behavior of enterprises should be improved accordingly to better adapt to the changes
of internal and external environment and ensure the realization of the standardization of enterprises. Fifth, if
IoT attempts to achieve the same globalization as the internet, there must be a set of support systems.
Originality/value –Finally, some suggestions are given for the future development in the field of IoT. This
study will provide some theoretical support for promoting the development of standards and enhancing the
competitiveness of IoT enterprises.
Keywords Libraries, Game theory, Internet of Things (IoT), Competition behaviour,
Technology standardization, Technology standardization mode
Paper type Research paper
1. Introduction
In digital era, libraries are involved to digitize their information resources rich in academic,
cultural and heritage value. Emerging technologies, such as big data, artificial intelligence,
blockchain, Internet of Things (IoT), library bookmark apps, user-focused interfaces and
application,augmented reality, digital interfaces for printed books,driverless cars and drones
Received 29 November 2017
Revised 25 June 2019
Accepted 15 July 2019
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
www.emeraldinsight.com/0737-8831.htm
This research was partially funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) under
Grant No. 71774067.
Selection of
technology
standardization
mode
LibraryHi Tech
Vol.38 No. 1, 2020
pp.233-250
©EmeraldPublishingLimited
0737-8831
DOI10.1108/LHT-11-2017-0248
233
are available for libraries to serve users(Paraschiv, 2017). Once libraries adopt some of these
technologies, interoperability in data exchange and service collaboration are required to
improve effectiveness. For example,standardization of data allows usersfind data effectively
and efficiently (Xie and Shibasaki, 2013). Thus, standardization facilitates data availability
and access to it. However, due to the lack of clear definition, digital library does not
easily converge on standards and technology (Sompel and Lagoze, 2002). Accordingly,
standards are required for digital libraries to achieve interoperability, particularly high
quality of data. The quality of data refers to their accuracy, integrity,completeness, validity,
consistency,uniformity and density dataquality (Topçu et al., 2014). The qualityof data relies
on the degree how they are standardized. Standardized data can improve information
retrieval, prevent loss of data, and provide unduplicated data (Topçu et al., 2014). Existing
standards acquired by digital libraries include theDublin Core Metadata Element Setand the
Open Archives Initiative’s Protocol for Metadata Harvesting (Suleman and Fox, 2001).
The concept of IoT was first proposed in 1999 by Kevin Ashton, who referred IoT as
uniquely identifiable and interoperable connected objects with radio-frequency
identification (RFID) technology (Atzori et al., 2010; Li et al., 2015; Weyrich and Ebert,
2016; Jiang et al., 2014). Essentially, IoT connects various sensors and actuators to the
internet and allows these devices to exchange information with each other (Park et al., 2016).
So far, IoT has become an inevitable trend of development of information industry
(Chen et al., 2014). Gartner predicts that connected things in IoT will reach 20.4bn by 2020
(van der Meulen, 2017). Given its impacts on in the field of information, IoT is thought as the
third wave of the IT revolution. It has generated huge new markets for IT and
communications industries across the world (Bi et al., 2014; Cai et al., 2014; Chen, 2017;
Li et al., 2015, 2018; Lu and Xu, 2019; Wang et al., 2016; Xu, 2011, 2016; Xu et al., 2014; Xu, Xu
and Li, 2018; Wang et al., 2014; Xu, 2017).
At present, many devices have been connected in IoT and many applications of IoT
become available. Standards are required to achieve pervasion of IoT as well as smooth
communication between things. On one hand, technology standards act as a bridge in
transformation of academic achievements by promoting the innovations and upgrade of
IoT. The future of IoT relies on well-developed standards. On the other hand, standards can
serve as blueprints for enterprises, because they play a vital role in increasing enterprises’
core competitiveness. Furthermore, market orientation and industry restructuring rely on
standards. Thus, IoT needs standards urgently for its further development.
Enterprises play a key role in the process of setting standards for IoT. To achieve the
first-mover advantage and the leading position in their industries, enterprises must choose
proper technology standardization modes. The complexity caused by information management,
technical renovation, as well as the intervention from government policies and standards
organizations makes it hard for enterprises to select technology standardization modes. To this
end, this paper reviews existing studies on IoT, technology standardization and enterprise
competitive behavior. Moreover, this paper explores how IoT enterprises choose technology
standardization modes and how they adopt competitive behavior. This paper makes
contribution to support IoT enterprises selecting proper technology standardization modes.
Furthermore, this paper provides guideline for libraries to develop standards with the help of
IoT and to take corresponding competitive behavior.
2. Internet of Things (IoT)
2.1 Definition
Given the fast development of IoT in recent years, scholars have defined IoT from diverse
perspectives. However, there is no a well-accepted definition of IoT at present. According to
Atzori et al. (2010),some definitions of IoT focuson the things, which are connectedin the IoT;
some definitionsemphasize internet-related aspects of the IoT, such as internet protocols and
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