Knowledge Management LO29151

From: Alan Cotterell (acotrel@cnl.com.au)
Date: 09/09/02


Replying to LO29138 --

Dear Mark, I believe Standards Australia International is relatively
independent of commercial interest, however the Australian Government
encourages a 'user pays' approach in its authorities and commissions. Thus
SAI is expected to return a profit from standards development and
consulting.

I have served on SAI committees in years gone by, and assure you
commercial interests (particularly in manufacturing industry) are
represented, however all standards are issues as public drafts for
comment.

Standards development in Australia is probably the only true example of
participative democracy. In fact, I would go so far as to say, if you
want to make a change to society, a really effective way of doing it, is
through the Australian Standards.

All standardisation bvodies are subject to lobbying, the most notable
example was when ANSI paid for forty reps to attend Geneva to oppose the
development of an Occupational Health and Safety Management System
Standard by the International Standards Organisation (1997, I believe).

SAI and many other bodies seem wary of standards which empower workers,
employer groups exert a large influence, so your proposals about Knowledge
Management might not be accepted in the way you might wish.

I believe there was an email contact on the SAI KM page, I'm sure they'd
enjoy your comments.

Best Regards,
Alan Cotterell

-- 

"Alan Cotterell" <acotrel@cnl.com.au>

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