A volume in Research in Management Consulting Series Editor Anthony F.
Buono, Bentley University The 13th volume in the RMC series, The
Changing Paradigm of Consulting, is based on the best papers presented
at the Academy of Management's Management Consulting Division's fourth
international conference (2009) on the underlying dynamics within the
fast-paced world of business and management consulting. Held in Vienna,
Austria, the conference brought together academicians, consultants and
organizational practitioners to examine the changes taking place within
the consulting field. The book's 19 chapters are divided into five
sections that explore the emergence and implications of this new
paradigm, delineating and illustrating the paradigm shift taking placing
within consulting, exploring the ramifications for global consulting,
examining the challenges inherent in attempts to capture collaboration
and cooperation in interorganizational networks, analyzing the push
toward the professionalization - and professionalism - of consultancy,
and assessing new approaches to management consulting, focusing on
innovative instruments, tools and intervention frameworks. The book
captures the myriad complexities and uncertainties faced by consultants
and their clients and the concomitant search for appropriate mindsets,
attitudes and orientations as well as methods, tools and techniques. As
each of the chapters indicates, while there are significant challenges
facing the consulting industry, there are also a number of promising
frameworks and approaches that can help us successfully meet these
challenges.
