Research is a key element in the development of the practice and delivery of consultancy and teaching. Current research is via a PhD at Birkbeck School of Management and Organisational Psychology looking at micro design businesses' strategic choices in relation to size, how they operate and the factors of success for the founders. The research focuses on architecture and designer maker jewellery as representatives of the large and small in design output, the regulated and the unregulated areas of design and those that follow a predominantly commission based process and/or a product development process.
The study is focused on London and examines the impact of the clustering of the design industry here and how this could transfer to other clusters within the UK and worldwide. It also seeks to find common elements from the two dominant areas studied that could explain why some designers choose to operate small businesses and why this is such a strong feature of the industry. This has implications for the practitioners themselves, professional bodies and policy makers in the world of design as well as for academic literature on entrepreneurship, micro businesses and clusters. The PhD is part time and began in 2002 with target completion during 2007.
Previous research was carried out as part of an MBA at Durham University Business School and developed visual devices for communicating business strategy to designers using case study methodology on a range of design companies from start ups to established firms which included architects, fashion designers and multimedia designers. This research forms the basis for the diagnostic and analysis of management consultancy clients. Evidence gathered since the initial research was completed in 2000 has continued to inform the advice and guidance given to clients.