DESIGN IMPLICATIONS IN CREATING A COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE FOR HOSPITALITY SMALL BUSINESS

The goal of this paper is to analyze the role of design in creating a new and strong competitive advantage for small businesses. The paper points out the specific features for the hospitality Romanian market and the specific trends in the interior design for this domain of activity. During the last period of time, the growing competition in the hospitality market, determined Romanian small businesses to identify new ways of differentiation in the market. The most dynamic and powerful element is design, unused appropriates until now in Romanian market, which can bring for small business a private identity, increasing comfort and services quality aspects for clients and assurance the efficiency of the production activities. Furthermore the paper presents each steps which should take place in the process of planning and implementation of remodeling the design elements for two hospitality small businesses and the economic and marketing results from these. In conclusion, the design elements and the process of rethinking the role of design in hospitality domain should be consider as keys drivers for development strong and well defined business in a competitive market.