Politics
Determinants
Standards
Political
Determinants
In the continuing debate over the competitiveness
of nations, no topic engenders or creates less understanding
than the role of the government. Many see government
agreements and standards as an essential helper of
an industry, employing a host of policies that contribute
directly to the performance of industries. Others
accept the "free market" view that the operation of
the economy should be left to the workings of the
"invisible hand". Whatever view, the government is
a catalyst that pushes companies to raise their aspirations
and move to higher levels of competitive performance.
The World Trade Organization (WTO) is the international
organization dealing with the global rules of trade
between nations. Its main function is to ensure that
trade flows as smoothly, predictably and freely as
possible. Recently, the WTO member countries agreed
in principle to an Information Technology Agreement
(ITA). ITA sets guidelines for software, computer
hardware, semiconductors and other information technology
products. It calls for the reduction and elimination
of tariffs between signatory countries. It states
that all entertainment software products, regardless
of format, should receive the same tax treatment because
bits are bits whether on a PC-CD, a console CD, or
a video game cartridge.
International Digital Software Association
is the industry liason to the U.S. government
The International Digital Software Association (IDSA)
works with government at all levels to make the voice
of its members heard on a wide range of crucial legislative
and public policy issues ranging from copyright to
First Ammendment protection and Internet regulation.
The IDSA strongly supports the ratification and implementation
of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
These treaties contain important provisions extending
copyright protection to software distributed electronically,
as well as through traditional tangible means. It
also contains language requiring the U.S. to enact
legislation prohibiting technologies that allow the
circumvention of copyright protections. Although these
treaties have not yet been implemented, these are
important issues which will raise minimum standards
for copyright protection worldwide which will assist
in the fight against piracy of entertainment software.
The NGO by the name of ACM (Association for Computing
Machinery) is concerned with all aspects of information
technology-the forces that will shape evolution of
future technologies, the competence and integrity
individuals involved in information technology, and
the impact of these technologies on society. The ACM
council is very centered on concerns surrounding the
development and marketing of products such as computer
and video games. 
Chris Weaver on
game design at the national conference on videogames
held at the Massuchusettes Institute of Technology
Society and Standards
Strict government regulations can promote competitive
advantage. Standards for product performance, product
safety, and environmental impact pressure companies
to improve quality, upgrade technology, and provide
features that respond to consumer demands. The Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) and the Labor Department's
Occupational Safety and Health Agency (OSHA) are two
of the most influential federal environmental agencies
and their mision is to effectively crack down on companies
that they believe violate federal environmental and
safety laws. While the EPA is responsible for protecting
public health and environment outside the workplace,
OSHA is charged with enforcing federal health and
safety laws inside the worksite. Starting this year,
the EPA and OSHA are developing an annual joint work
plan that coordinates their separate compliance and
enforcement activities.
It is interesting to follow the events that take
place in the video game industry. The purchase and
transport of raw materials is an activity that consumes
energy and releases CO2, NOx, SOx and other gases
into the atmosphere. Next manufacturing requires water,
energy and chemicals. The finished products are delivered
to customers via distribution that also release air
pollutants. Due to the nature of most of the video
game products, the primary environmental impact is
in the form of consuming electricity. At the end of
their useful lives, products will be discarded, some
containing batteries that release harmful toxins into
the air, water, and soil.
Based on awareness of this series of events that
make up a product's environmental impact, Sony, Nintendo,
and Sega are striving to produce goods in a manner
that creates the most value while using the smallest
amount of resources. They have established many indicators
and lists that enable the quantitative monitoring
of the company's environmental impact and are trying
to reduce that impact by switching to more benign
chemicals and promoting recycling.
