Standards ???

In IT industry whenever any one architect or design a system/product, few lines about standards are always said. It start with what are the standards are used in development and what standards system/product comply to. You see any data sheet offered by any vendor they boast about standards their offerings comply to. It seems that every body is obsessed with standards.

Does any body giving any thought that what these standards offers in terms of business and technical benefits?
Why there are so many standards (just look at web services)?
Who is offering these standards?
What are the motives of these standards?
Why there are so many vendors are complying with standards?
Are standards pushing us towards a single mold fit all?