The work of the French sociologist Pierre Bourdieu has received increased attention in management and organization studies (MOS). However, the full potential of his work has so far rarely been exploited. This paper aims to pinpoint the contributions of Bourdieu’s work to research in MOS. I...

Institutional theory has so far neglected the influence of the human body on institutional processes at the micro-level, i.e., at the level of the individual actor. In this conceptual paper, I aim to integrate the human body in institutional theory. More specifically, I aim to analyze the...

Approaches to explain processes of institutionalization have stressed the importance of linguistic processes. Bourdieu’s theory of practice argued, however, that institutions are also transmitted through processes of mimesis, i.e. the unconscious imitation of other actors’ actions. The aim...

Summary Prior research has located the issue of "professional" conduct with consultancy predominantly within the relationship between the manager and the consultant. However, recent studies provide indications that dealing professionally with consultancy may fail because of goal divergences...

The selection and evaluation of consultants, consultancies, and consulting services belong to probably the most critical issues in management consulting research. However, the research in these areas is still sparse and does not yet reflect their importance in an adequate manner. Additionally,...

The aim of this paper is to explain consulting failure from a systems-theoretical perspective and to provide a new framework for analysing consultant–client relationships. By drawing on Luhmann’s systems theory, clients and consultants are conceptualised as two autopoietic communication...

The aim of this paper is to explain consulting failure from a systems-theoretical perspective and to provide a new framework for analysing consultant–client relationships. By drawing on Luhmann’s systems theory, clients and consultants are conceptualised as two autopoietic communication...

The aim of this paper is to explain consulting failure from a systems-theoretical perspectiveand to provide a new framework for analysing consultant–client relationships. By drawing onLuhmann’s systems theory, clients and consultants are conceptualised as two autopoieticcommunication systems...