An Ancient Greek Philosophy of Management Consulting: Thinking Differently About Its Assumptions, Principles and Practice

Management consultancy practice is concerned with helping clients implement strategic organisational change, but it is also a knowledge-intensive industry. The philosophical topics of ontology, epistemology, and ethics are important to consider when examining management consultancy. The work of ancient Greek philosophers provides a rich resource for novel thinking about management consulting, challenging established assumptions and principles and opening up new ways of thinking.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 182 pages
Publication date: 22 December 2022
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

Management consultancy practice is a crucial domain that focuses on assisting clients in implementing strategic organizational change. However, it is essential to delve deeper into the nature of organizations and the interventions of management consultants within them. Management consulting is often regarded as a knowledge-intensive industry, but the specific knowledge possessed by management consultants and the extent to which we can rely on it are subjects of debate. Ethical considerations also play a significant role in management consultancy, as consultants are often criticized for unethical exploitation of their clients.

In order to meet acceptable ethical standards, management consultants must navigate a complex web of ethical dilemmas. These questions revolve around the philosophical topics of ontology, epistemology, and ethics. The ancient Greek philosophers, who lived between the end of the sixth and the end of the fourth century BCE, delved deeply into these topics and their ideas continue to be relevant and influential even in the modern realm of management consulting.

These philosophers approached these philosophical questions from a distinct perspective, which offers a valuable resource for innovative thinking about management consulting. By examining these questions through the lens of the work of these great thinkers, we can challenge established assumptions and principles of management consultancy practice and explore new avenues for thought.

Heraclitus, Parmenides, Leucippus, and Democritus, among the Presocratic philosophers, engaged in profound speculations about the nature of the universe. Their ideas, such as the notion of the constant flux of existence and the idea of the fundamental unity of all things, continue to inspire and inform our understanding of the world.

Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, among the classical Greek philosophers, delved into the nature of human beings and the principles governing human behavior. Their ideas, such as the pursuit of knowledge, the importance of virtue, and the role of ethics in decision-making, provide valuable insights into the ethical dimensions of management consultancy.

This book employs the work of these great thinkers as a lens through which to study major philosophical questions about management consulting. By examining these questions in the context of the ancient Greek philosophical tradition, we can gain a fresh perspective on the field and explore new ways of thinking and approaching management consultancy practice.

In conclusion, management consultancy practice is a complex and multifaceted domain that requires a deep understanding of organizations, management consultants, and ethical considerations. The work of the ancient Greek philosophers provides a valuable resource for innovative thinking about management consulting and offers insights into the philosophical topics of ontology, epistemology, and ethics. By examining these questions through the lens of the work of these great thinkers, we can challenge established assumptions and principles and explore new avenues for thought and practice in the field.

Weight: 314g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030909611
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022