rss_2.0Management Consulting Journal FeedSciendo RSS Feed for Management Consulting Journalhttps://sciendo.com/journal/MCJhttps://www.sciendo.comManagement Consulting Journal Feedhttps://sciendo-parsed.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/6797c4ad082aa65dea3db55e/cover-image.jpghttps://sciendo.com/journal/MCJ140216Rethinking the Governance of External Consultancy in the Public Sectorhttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/mcj-2025-0003<abstract> <title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> <p>Management consultancy in the public sector faces persistent criticism regarding efficiency, ethics, and effectiveness. This study examines governance challenges, such as co-production complexities, secrecy under “commercial confidentiality,” and sales-driven incentives, which undermine accountability and service quality.</p> <p>Emerging trends in transparency and socially responsible practices offer pathways for reform. Key recommendations include stricter procurement rules, continuous monitoring of consultancy use, project evaluation transparency, and aligning consultant incentives with ethical goals. Strengthened governance and external oversight are essential to ensure consultancy delivers genuine public value.</p> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/mcj-2025-00032025-01-27T00:00:00.000+00:00From Mainframe to Cloud and Beyond: A Short History of IT Management Consultinghttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/mcj-2025-0005<abstract> <title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> <p>Information technology (IT) consulting is a discipline within the broader field of management consulting focused on advising organisations on how best to use technology to meet their objectives. Originating in the mid-20th century as organisations began exploring the potential of computers, the profession emerged in response to the growing need for expertise in adopting new technologies. Over time, IT consulting has evolved in parallel with technological advancements and expanded its scope as new technology, such as the internet or cloud computing, reshaped the business landscape. This paper explores the historical background of IT consulting and subsequently studies the most recent industry reports to recognise the current trends, namely the rise of artificial intelligence, the shift towards remote working, and growing cybersecurity concerns. It concludes that consulting firms that prioritise these areas will not only be better positioned to deliver value, but also enhance the effectiveness of their own services.</p> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/mcj-2025-00052025-01-27T00:00:00.000+00:00Meaningful Consultinghttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/mcj-2025-0001<abstract> <title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> <p>As part of their MSc in Business Strategy &amp; Consulting at Audencia Business School, students take part in a competitive assignment on the issues surrounding the organization of consulting firms and careers in this field.</p> <p>This semester, students were invited to consider the theme “meaningful consulting”. This is a particularly topical issue in the sector, given the rise of new work and management practices to remain attractive and retain talent, or societal debates surrounding the impact of consulting on client organizations and external stakeholders.</p> <p>Lucie Noury, head of the course and a consulting specialist, invited students to develop a reflective point of view on trends in the consulting sector. Students were asked to find an interesting and original angle on a given theme, to interview one or more consulting professionals on the subject, and to draw well-founded conclusions for a fresh perspective. The aim is twofold: to help students develop a critical viewpoint on current events in the sector, and to mature their career plans.</p> <p>Three submissions were chosen for inclusion in the Management Consulting Journal:</p> <p>● Rita Dakkoune, Elie Barakat &amp; Lily Atteia, for their article entitled “How to: Keep your head up in public and find meaning in your consulting work “</p> <p>● Noah Malka &amp; Guillaume Rogeau, for their article entitled “Independent Consultant: Myth of Freedom or Reality of Overwork?”</p> <p>● Marion Grange, Quentin Hoang &amp; Inès Rambaud, for their article entitled “Big Three or NGO? When the quest for meaningful work becomes a dilemma…”</p> <p>The three tackle the subject from a variety of angles, from the image of consulting and consultants, to the impact of strategy consulting firms or the reality of independent consulting. We hope you enjoy reading them.</p> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/mcj-2025-00012025-01-27T00:00:00.000+00:00Raising Client Confidence in Consulting Workhttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/mcj-2025-0002<abstract> <title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> <p>The following discussion will consider practices and processes that a client should adopt in order to raise their confidence in the value of consulting work they commission. The discussion will focus on key criteria to facilitate success, whilst recognising that these alone will not result in valuable consulting outputs. A defined client scope will first be considered before moving on to collaboration and resources, trust, consultant expertise and governance framework before concluding how these factors contribute to the delivery of a valuable consultancy project outcome.</p> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/mcj-2025-00022025-01-27T00:00:00.000+00:00Be Guided by Your Moral Compasshttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/mcj-2025-0004<abstract> <title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> <p>Recent events in Australia exposed by a parliamentary inquiry have laid bare the high reputational costs of professional malfeasance for management consultants. Loss of career, future business, and professional status has devastated the accounting, auditing, legal, and management consulting components of at least one of the Big Four firms. This paper discusses the importance of consultants developing a moral compass and adhering to well-founded codes of ethics. It also highlights the importance of creating a corporate culture and codifying ethical standards to protect clients and the profession.</p> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/mcj-2025-00042025-01-27T00:00:00.000+00:00How to Work in International Consulting: An Experience Report from a UNESCO Consultanthttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/mcj-2025-0006<abstract> <title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> <p>The Brazilian public administration provides a plethora of opportunities for international consultants through vacancies in prestigious global institutions such as UNESCO, UN Women, and UNICEF, among others. Therefore, this study seeks to explore the opportunities available to lawyers and law graduates to work as international consultants, drawing on the author’s experience at UNESCO. Often, these opportunities remain unexplored due to a general unawareness among professionals. Hence, this article endeavours to share a novel experience and act as a guide for those interested in pursuing a career in international consultancy. To conduct this research, descriptive statistics were employed to analyze the calls for applications published in 2023 by 12 global institutions. This analysis identified the demands and professional qualifications sought for consultancy positions. The findings indicated a notable demand for legal professionals with specializations or experience in international law, human rights, environmental law, public management, and public policies. Furthermore, English emerged as the most commonly required language, with French, Spanish, and Portuguese also being significant. The opportunities often featured flexibility regarding the professionals’ location, with many roles allowing for remote or hybrid work arrangements. The study further underscored the critical importance for professionals to develop technical-scientific skills and to view themselves as entrepreneurs to effectively operate within this international context.</p> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/mcj-2025-00062025-01-27T00:00:00.000+00:00Foundations and Challenges: Ethics in Consultinghttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/mcj-2024-0008<abstract> <title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> <p>This paper critically examines the principle of professional independence in the consulting industry, focusing on ethical challenges through the lenses of consequentialism and stakeholder theory. Utilizing a case study involving a Dutch media company’s acquisition bid, the analysis reveals the tension between maintaining professional independence and succumbing to client pressures, resulting in an inflated and ultimately unsuccessful bid. The discussion highlights the importance of consultants adhering to ethical standards, considering all stakeholders’ interests, and maintaining objectivity to ensure long-term beneficial outcomes. By integrating stakeholder theory and consequentialism, the paper underscores the necessity of ethical rigor and professional integrity in consulting practices.</p> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/mcj-2024-00082024-06-10T00:00:00.000+00:00Business Ethics: How the Code of Conduct’s Superficiality Can be Combatted by Supplementing Decision-Making with Internal Advisorshttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/mcj-2024-0007<abstract> <title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> <p>This paper examines how internal advisors can enhance ethical decision-making beyond the scope of a corporate code of conduct, using a case from a major Dutch financial institution. The case study explores a decision involving a loan request for selling laughing gas, where the internal advisors’ assessment went beyond legal compliance to consider ethical implications, potential consequences, and stakeholder interests. The analysis highlights the use of ethical theories such as consequentialism, deontology, and stakeholder analysis, demonstrating how internal advisors can provide a human and interactive dimension to ethical decision-making. Ultimately, the paper underscores the importance of integrating internal advisory roles with corporate codes of conduct to foster comprehensive and ethically sound decisions.</p> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/mcj-2024-00072024-06-10T00:00:00.000+00:00Failed Professionalization and Management Consultancy’s Image Problem - a UK Perspectivehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/mcj-2024-0010<abstract> <title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> <p>This article reflects on the disproportionate academic and media attacks that management consultancy seems to attract and links this to the failure of developing strong professional institutions on the example of comparable professions such as law and accountancy. In particular, whilst a professional project was initially at play within this sector, it eventually lost support from key stakeholders, in particular the large firms who employed a majority of management consultants. As such professional associations in the management consultancy field engaged in a series of accommodation strategies to win back some corporate support. The result was a weaker form of corporate professionalism.</p> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/mcj-2024-00102024-06-10T00:00:00.000+00:00Are you Hiring and Managing the Right Pi-Shaped People?https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/mcj-2024-0011<abstract> <title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> <p>If we truly believe that “people are our greatest asset” as the old saying goes, we generally don’t treat them as assets. Traditional assets such as furniture, buildings and intellectual property are treated in a prescribed manner on financial statements as well as the ongoing care and maintenance of that asset. The author challenges the notion of considering people as expenses only and introduces five different models (or asset classes) of a management consulting firm’s greatest resource - its people. Some of these models have been around for decades, some are emerging, and all are changing with the incessant demand for adaptation of our management consulting industry worldwide.</p> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/mcj-2024-00112024-06-10T00:00:00.000+00:00Conscience and Compromise: The Struggle of Moral Codes in Businesshttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/mcj-2024-0009<abstract> <title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> <p>This paper investigates the ethical dilemmas faced by consultants when balancing personal morals with professional obligations, using a real-life case study involving a consultant overhearing illegal price-fixing activities. The case highlights the consultant’s internal conflict and the decision to remain silent due to fear of professional repercussions and power dynamics. The analysis discusses violations of the Dutch OOA code of conduct, particularly concerning integrity and professional independence, and explores the ethical frameworks of moral disengagement, consequentialism, and virtue ethics. The paper emphasizes the complexity of moral integrity in consulting and the potential consequences of both action and inaction in ethically challenging situations.</p> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/mcj-2024-00092024-06-10T00:00:00.000+00:00Communities and Partnerships of Independent Management Consultants - The Path to Professional Successhttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/mcj-2024-0012<abstract> <title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> <p>The paper presents an analysis of the possibilities for developing a community of independent management consultants and forming partnerships in conditions of global uncertainty. The purpose of the study was to show the core of activity, level of competencies and uniqueness of knowledge of the management consultants’ community; determine its growth points. Individual consultants from the National Institute of Certified Management Consultants of Russia (NICMC), Fifty eight consultants took part in the study as a sample. Using the author’s questionnaire, it was possible to identify perspective areas of community development strategies and partnerships for consultants that allow them to achieve greater success in consulting.</p> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/mcj-2024-00122024-06-10T00:00:00.000+00:00The Transformative Impact of Artificial Intelligence on the Management Consultancy Sectorhttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/mcj-2024-0006<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> <p>This paper explores the transformative impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the management consultancy sector over the next five years. Tracing the evolution of AI from its inception in 1956 to recent language and image capabilities, the study addresses the imminent challenges posed to consultancy by AI startups. Examining global legislative approaches, including the EU’s strict AI Act, the UK’s flexible stance, the self-regulatory approach in the US, and China’s targeted regulations, it unveils the legislative ambiguity for software developers. The essay anticipates transformative implications on consultancy firms, emphasizing the war for talent, potential shifts in business models, and the evolving role of consultants as agents of thought. As AI becomes integral, consultancy firms are urged to adapt, incorporating AI into their models while navigating ethical and legal considerations. The paper underscores that while AI will automate mundane tasks, strategic decision-making remains a strength of consultancy firms, ensuring continued relevance in the evolving landscape.</p> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/mcj-2024-00062024-02-02T00:00:00.000+00:00Management Consulting in the Artificial Intelligence – LLM Erahttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/mcj-2024-0002<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> <p>Management Consulting is one of the oldest and most well-established professional services across the world. Consultants have developed subject matter expertise and competency in a variety of areas such as General and Strategic Management, Financial Management, Marketing &amp; Distribution Management, e-Business, Operations Management, Human Resource Management, Knowledge Management, Enterprise Performance Management, Business Transformation, Quality Management, and Information Technology. Information Technology as a discipline has evolved rapidly in the last three decades with software development paradigms and the advancement in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technologies. The space of AI &amp; ML technologies is rapidly evolving, impacting the way insights are arrived at, how decisions are taken, organization models, and organization structures. This article explores the challenges, new opportunities and potential changes to the ways of working for management consultants given the developments in AI, particularly with large language models.</p> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/mcj-2024-00022024-02-02T00:00:00.000+00:00The Creation of Chartered Management Consultant: A UK Gold Standard for Consulting Competencehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/mcj-2024-0004<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> <p>This paper explains the creation and purpose of the Chartered Management Consultant (ChMC) award in the UK, outlines the preparation and initial launch of the accreditation, describes the growth to mid-2023 and discusses how continued growth is needed not just in volume of chartered practitioners, but in the diversity of the accredited community.</p> <p>The paper describes the purpose and creation of the award, reviews growth and suggests where to focus next. The first part describes the two UK organisations who have been responsible for setting up and promoting the ChMC award – Chartered Management Institute (CMI) and the Management Consultancies Association (MCA) – and how the ChMC award supports their respective organisational raison d’etre. The second part provides a timeline between 2017 and 2020, in the run-up to the global pandemic. The third part describes the promotion of ChMC and the setting of pace coming out of the pandemic. The fourth part reviews the channels and levers used to accelerate growth in the take-up of ChMC during late 2022 and early 2023; and reflects on how to balance growth in volume of uptake whilst maintaining an appropriately reflective blend of community diversity. The fifth part discusses the practical challenge of promoting an industry-wide standard in a hitherto-unregulated environment. The sixth part covers the case for a strengthened approach; and The seventh and final part covers closing comments and a possible approach to build on the success achieved by CMI/MCA to date, drawing on the CMI’s IC arm.</p> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/mcj-2024-00042024-02-02T00:00:00.000+00:00Artificial Intelligence’s Impact of the Management Consultancy Sector over the Next Five Yearshttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/mcj-2024-0005<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> <p>This essay explores the imminent impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the management consultancy sector over the next five years. After tracing the historical context of technological innovation and societal unease with disruption, we delve into the current landscape of management consultancy, emphasizing its evolution and present dynamics. Specialized themes in the consultancy market today, such as internal consulting and data-centric approaches, highlight the industry’s dynamism.</p> <p>The core focus anticipates the implications of AI on management consultancy, with a shift towards AI-powered analytics and insights transforming consultants’ roles. Market segmentation deepens as specialized AI-driven consulting firms emerge, challenging traditional players. The competitive landscape witnesses the entry of tech giants, intensifying competition and prompting strategic shifts in consultancy models. A forward-looking perspective considers changes in pricing and cost structures, emphasizing ethical considerations in AI deployment.</p> <p>In this transformative landscape, a blended future emerges, envisioning AI-driven quick insights complemented by human consultants offering context, creativity, and empathy. This condensed exploration provides a crucial foundation for academics, industry practitioners, and policymakers navigating the evolving interplay between AI and management consultancy.</p> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/mcj-2024-00052024-02-02T00:00:00.000+00:00The National Consulting Index 2023https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/mcj-2024-0001<abstract> <title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> <p>The National Consulting Index (NCI) determines the strength of a national management consulting sector relative to other countries. It was first created in 2017 following research and analysis conducted at the International Council of Management Consulting Institutes (ICMCI). This paper provides an update to the NCI project and estimates the size of the management consulting sectors for several countries around the world. The paper also offers qualitative insight from some countries about the trends and dynamics of their management consulting industries.</p> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/mcj-2024-00012024-02-02T00:00:00.000+00:00Management Consulting’s Black Holes: A Question of Time and Spacehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/mcj-2024-0003<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> <p>Performance improvement interventions undertaken by management consultants, like many others, can experience difficulty in ensuring that the bulk of the effort put into the intervention translates into the desired change. While consultants themselves are limited in what they can control once their work is completed, there are nevertheless activities they can carry out or at least initiate to improve the chances of change being brought about. Goal setting, self-management and action planning have demonstrated positive effects, particularly where behavioural change is required. Similarly, based on a tested model of learning transfer, other activities relating to peer support, manager support and external coaching can be encouraged and set in train.</p> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/mcj-2024-00032024-02-02T00:00:00.000+00:00Business Models of Consulting Firms: What do their Leaders Need to Know?https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/mcj-2023-0014<abstract> <title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> <p>Management consultants have found the business model concept to be a useful consulting tool. This article explores its application to management consultancy itself, identifies some business models used by consulting firms, and explores what information leaders of management consulting firms need in order to check whether their business models are right for their markets, and working appropriately.</p> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/mcj-2023-00142023-05-24T00:00:00.000+00:00Consulting Advice on Investigations into Possible CEO Misconducthttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/mcj-2023-0013<abstract> <title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> <p>This paper sets out for fellow consultants: (i) internal controls to avoid a client’s hiring of a chief executive officer (CEO) who may have had a past or current instance(s) or pattern of misconduct; (ii) the forms of possible misconduct of a CEO; (iii) the component steps and process to follow in investigating such misconduct; and (iv) respecting a CEO’s procedural rights during the investigation.</p> <p>This paper provides consultants with content upon which to advise during their practices, including their advice to organizational clients, senior management, and boards of directors.</p> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/mcj-2023-00132023-05-24T00:00:00.000+00:00en-us-1