The Feminine in Management Consulting

Power, Emotion and Values in Consulting Interactions

Pub Palgrave Macmillian November 2008

The author uncovers a ‘feminine’ discourse of consulting in small scale consulting work in the public and not-for-profit sectors that challenges stereotypical images of the slick showman aiming to maximize his fees. Power, emotion and values dominate the interactions in this book and connect to the webs of relationships of those involved, their multiple identities and how they see the commercial process. Critical Discourse Analysis illustrates these key themes and informs a ‘feminine’ discourse of consulting, which offers practitioners and researchers steps towards a ‘critical consulting’ practice.

"A rare combination of originality, history, criticality and practical relevance. Sheila Marsh places consulting in a historical context which goes back way beyond its modern form. Calling our attention to the gendered nature of consulting for the first time, she also explores contemporary alternative consulting discourse and practice. This book is truly innovative in the field of consultancy, but will also attract the interest of social scientists and students of organisations." Prof Andrew Sturdy, Warwick Business School, UK

Another great review here!

Buy the book

Contents:

PART I: CONSULTING: EXPLORING THE TERRAIN

Consultants, Confidantes and Consorts: A Genealogy of Consulting and Advice-giving to

Organizational Leaders

Images of Consulting: What Currently shapes How We See Consulting and How it Works?

Consulting as a Discursive Practice

PART II: DISCOURSE ANALYSIS OF CONSULTING INTERACTIONS

Researching Consulting Interactions: From Process Ontology to Critical Discourse Analysis

Women Consultants in Action: Critical Discourse Analysis of ‘Live’ Consulting Interaction

Women’s Stories about Consulting: Critical Discourse Analysis of Reflective Material

PART III: MAKING SENSE

What is Going on in Consulting Interactions?: Exploring Meta-themes of Power, Emotion and

Values

Femininities and Consulting: (Re-)animating a ‘Feminine’ Discourse of Consulting

Towards a ‘Critical Consulting’ Practice: The Contribution of a ‘Feminine’ Discourse of

Consulting

Notes

References

Index