Consultobabble's facilitatory role in process consultation

Emerald - 2004
RussellWilliams1, RulzionRattray2
1Hull University Business School, Hull, UK
2Centre for Business Education, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK

Tóm tắt

Consultants are often criticised for using the managerial equivalent of psychobabble, “consultobabble”, as a part of a big con. Consultobabble, it is argued, hides issues around consultant credibility and serves to generate a part of the mystique that allows them to peddk the latest management fad. This article examines the consultant‐client relationship, arguing that consultobabble, at least in process consultation exercises such as visual thinking, has a legitimate role. Notably, it argues that consultobabble deflects any resentment directed at the consultant by establishing consultant and process credibility. It also serves to facilitate client group conversations. Auditors need to understand therefore that consultobabble can be an essential part of effective client‐consultant relationship.

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