Nonstandardization

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The condition whereby uniformity is diminished through the rejection of standard practices or criteria creates disparities and irregularities in outputs
2. A situation characterized by the lack of conformity to established norms results in variations and inconsistencies in products, services, or practices
3. The state of not following established rules or criteria leading to irregular and varied results

Etymology: "Nonstandardization" is a plain compound: the prefix "non-" ("not") attached to "standardization," the noun for the act of making things conform to a common measure or type. Its meaning therefore follows directly from its parts, so the word describes the state of not having been brought into line with a standard. The more useful way to read it is through "standardization" itself, which is the process of making things uniform. The negative prefix turns that process into its absence, so a nonstandardized product, dialect, or measurement is one that escaped the common rule. Because "standardization" is the larger concept, "nonstandardization" tends to surface wherever standards are discussed, such as manufacturing, language, or measurement systems.

Synonyms: variability, diversity, irregularity, inconsistency, deviation

Antonyms: standardization, uniformity, consistency, homogeneity, conformity