Design communication types in a buyer-supplier relationship

Products are developed in collaboration between experts with different organizational functions and companies in product development (PD) networks. Communication support for communication in the PD network depends on the type of communication. The aim of this paper is to identify different types of design communication in a buyer-supplier relationship. Data was gathered in the foundry industry. The study indicates that there are four types of design communication in buyer-supplier relationships: awareness, problem handling, brief communication, and continuous improvement of operations. Paper also lists characteristics for these different design communication types. The design communication types and their characteristics can be used to design better communication tools for PD networks including the buyer-supplier relationships in them.