The changing contours of management consultancy in the West

Abstract

Management consultancy, started as an entrepreneurial practice 150 years ago, has achieved corporate status and longevity. However, as large firms experience a slowdown in booking assignments, opportunities arise for solo proprietorships, partnerships, and small firm practice. We probe this situation in a historical context by analyzing findings from published books and unpublished theses and by interpreting statistics from public and private sources. We also investigate how management consultants and firms seek status and security. Entrepreneurial orientation and client cultivation accomplish more than attempts at regulating entry into the field.