Accountability, purpose, client confidence and ethics: new insights for management consultants

Some of the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing consultants today are addressed in the latest issue of the Management Consulting Journal (MCJ). The publication explores governance in public-sector consulting, the search for meaningful consulting careers, the realities of independent consulting and the importance of ethics and trust in client relationships.

Rethinking public-sector consulting

Governments worldwide spend billions on external consultancy. It is little wonder, then, that public-sector consulting is so scrutinised for effectiveness, transparency and ethics. But in their paper, ‘Rethinking the Governance of External Consultancy in the Public Sector’, Andrew Sturdy, Ian Kirkpatrick and Gianluca Veronesi find that there’s often little in the way of robust governance frameworks to ensure accountability.

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Many consulting contracts are shielded by ‘commercial confidentiality’, making it difficult for the public to assess their true impact. Consulting firms are often incentivised to sell more services, rather than focus on genuine value creation. And unlike corporate governance structures, government agencies often lack systematic processes for evaluating consulting engagements.

The authors recommend stronger procurement rules preventing excessive dependence by governments on a small group of consulting firms. Regular audits should assess whether consulting services deliver measurable improvements, and consultants should be rewarded for long-term value creation rather than short-term sales.

Finally, the authors urge more scrutiny by third parties such as journalists, NGOs and public-sector watchdogs. Together, they could play a more active role in holding consultants accountable.

Purpose beyond PowerPoint

The consulting profession is often criticised for being a stepping stone rather than a long-term career path. Consultants frequently leave firms within two to three years, seeking roles in industry or social enterprises. Audencia Business School professor Lucie Noury tasked her students with finding out whether consulting can be ‘meaningful’.

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In one paper, her students explore the option of independent consulting. While independents enjoy flexibility, the downsides include financial instability and client pressure. The paper says that many struggle to achieve a work-life balance, often working longer hours than employees at consulting firms. However, those who specialise in high-value expertise tend to find more sustainable and fulfilling careers.