The basic objective of this research series is to capture the concomitant growth and development of research and theory building on management consulting. Our intent is to further the links and dialogue between applied scholars and scholarly practitioners in the consulting field, capturing inno-vative empirical and conceptual research and field experience as well as critiques and criticisms of the field, and disseminating the resulting insight to a broad range of practitioners, academicians and organizational execu-tives.
Targeted articles will focus on a wide range of topics, encompassing research on: the consulting industry itself, including the management, marketing and expansion of professional services firms; critical examinations of current trends in the consulting field; conceptualization and evaluation of intervention techniques and strategies; and reflections on consulting experiences and practices. The series will include interdisciplinary and international perspectives on these different topics as well as perspectives from both internal and external consultants and change agents.
Future volumes will focus on knowledge and value development in consulting, consulting in an interorganizational context (mergers, acquisitions, partnerships and alliances), the management of professional services firms, and related aspects of consulting and the consulting industry.
CURRENT TRENDS IN MANAGEMENT CONSULTING
Volume One in this series focuses on current trends in the management consulting industry. It is divided into three sections: (1) a look at some of the broad changes taking place in the management consulting industry, (2) an examination of recent trends and techniques in the practice of management consulting, and (3) reflections on the current state of affairs in the industry. As this brief overview has hopefully captured, the first volume in this series provides ample insight into and differing perspectives on the multi-faceted world of management consulting. Thanks are due to all the authors for their thoughtful work, good-natured colleagueship, and willingness to contribute their thoughts and insights about the consulting field. This volume would not have been possible without their efforts.
