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Knowledge transfer across permeable boundaries: An empirical study of clients' decisions to involve management consultants

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  • Richter, Ansgar
  • Niewiem, Sandra

Abstract

Summary We investigate the relationship between the knowledge requirements of projects and clients' decisions whether to procure services from external management consultants for the execution of these projects. Using data from interviews with client decision-makers regarding the execution of 86 projects, we find that knowledge requirements are strongly associated with the decision whether or not to involve external consultants. The results highlight the closeness of the relationships between clients and consultants, supporting Kitay and Wright's [Kitay, J., & Wright, C. (2004). Take the money and run? Organisational boundaries and consultants' roles, The Service Industries Journal, 24(3) 1-18] view of the permeability of the boundaries between many client organizations and their consultants. The findings also confirm our expectation that clients use the services of external management consultants in order to procure functional or industry-specific knowledge which consultants can pool and apply efficiently across many projects.

Suggested Citation

  • Richter, Ansgar & Niewiem, Sandra, 2009. "Knowledge transfer across permeable boundaries: An empirical study of clients' decisions to involve management consultants," Scandinavian Journal of Management, Elsevier, vol. 25(3), pages 275-288, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:scaman:v:25:y:2009:i:3:p:275-288
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    Cited by:

    1. Corral de Zubielqui, Graciela & Fryges, Helmut & Jones, Janice, 2019. "Social media, open innovation & HRM: Implications for performance," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 144(C), pages 334-347.
    2. Severin Oesterle & Arne Buchwald & Nils Urbach, 2022. "Investigating the co-creation of IT consulting service value: empirical findings of a matched pair analysis," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 32(2), pages 571-597, June.
    3. Kevin Mole & Robert Baldock & David North, 2013. "Who Takes Advice? Firm Size Threshold, Competence, Concerns and Informality in a Contingency Approach," Research Papers 0009, Enterprise Research Centre.
    4. Yvette Taminiau & Julie E. Ferguson, 2015. "From purists to players? How service industry professionals develop social skills for informal client relationships," International Journal of Management Concepts and Philosophy, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 9(1), pages 40-62.

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