Abstract

In a typical customer–supplier relationship, the perception of value of products and services being delivered is undergoing significant change. This examination considers a sample of companies covering a wide range of markets in the sub sector of product design. The paper firstly considers the perception from a Design Company’s point of view on where value is added through the design process. Secondly, it considers the perception from a Small Medium size Enterprise’s (SME) point of view on where value is added through the design process. Thirdly, it will compare perceptions of both SME’s and Design Companies relative perspectives. In a relationship between SME and Design Company, it is possible for wide variations in the perception of the value of what is being delivered. An investigation was undertaken to consider the perception regarding the value of services offered by design companies to the SME community. The investigation also considered the Design Company’s perception of the value of their own services supplied.