I came across a post at the IxDA group talking about design guidelines guiding some of the big names in technology industry. Here are a few links:
* Luke W on Microsoft’s use of design principles:
http://www.lukew.com/ff/entry.asp?796
* Google UX principles
http://www.google.com/corporate/ux.html
* Sony’s design philosophy
http://www.sony.net/Fun/design/profile/philosophy.html