Abstract
In a historical retrospective, and although the literature entitles the management consultancy industry as an extraordinary industry and a unique phenomenon in the business context, these statements are not accompanied by a number of academic studies that highlight the importance of the effective work of management consultants. To battle the lack of studies in this emerging field, this article aims to build a determinant model that helps to understand this specific sector. The results of empirical analysis in the form of semi-structured interviews and questionnaires given to management consultants and managers of SMEs in Portugal, show that the activity of strategic consultants, mediated by strategic practices, bring in fact to the research of the strategy-as-practice a new direction in strategic thinking. It shows that consultant sector could be viewed as a key factor in the development of knowledge between different sectors in organisations, a knowledge intensive activity, a specialist sector having consultants with the title of specialists and, consultants that could be considered as practical strategists.
Highlights
The results of empirical analysis in the form of semi-structured interviews and questionnaires given to management consultants and managers of SMEs in Portugal, show that the activity of strategic consultants, mediated by strategic practices, bring to the research of the strategy-as-practice a new direction in strategic thinking
It shows that consultant sector could be viewed as a key factor in the development of knowledge between different sectors in organizations, a Knowledge Intensive Activity, a specialist sector having consultants with the title of specialists and, consultants that could be considered as practical strategists
According Jarzabkowski et al, (2007), the term strategy-as-practice can be defined as a situation that includes actions, interactions and multi-stakeholder negotiations in construction and a set of practical situations that result later in a particular activity, and so their parameters translated in the practical study, practices and the "praxis" [the flow activity in which the strategy will be implicit
Summary
The perspective of the strategy-as-practice evolved from a widespread discontent about the strategic research and being carried out by several authors who have been studying this field of research refocusing research in the actions and interactions of the practical strategy. The practice is basically defined as the matrix of human activity This largely reflects the sociological thinking of Giddens (1984) trying to examine the independent activity of social structures. Following this idea, Schatzki (2001: 2) defines the practice as "the matrix of centrally human activity organized around common practical understandings," highlighting the development and dependence of the activity on the skills and shared understandings, pointing to the unification of mind and activity in practice.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
