THE IMPORTANCE OF MANAGEMENT CONSULTING IN MANAGEMENT RESEARCH

Abstract

The paper takes into account current challenges for the effective transformation of consulting models – dependence on algorithms and errors of artificial intelligence; transparency of decisions; data confidentiality; reduction of the role of a person. The latest research on the development of management consulting is analyzed – the use of external consulting in the public sector; dynamic coherence as a competence of consulting firms; training of consultants in higher education institutions; hybrid business models of consulting; quality of communication consulting; assessment of scientific performance; sales management; structure of scientific research in management; the importance of consulting in digital transformation; production of knowledge in consulting; logic of service companies; critical analysis of consulting; innovation ecosystems; knowledge transfer; consulting networks; open access policy. The article systematizes the evolution of consulting models based on the dominant resource and fundamental scientific views in a certain historical period – the administrative advisor; project model in expert-analytical form; process model of internal management consulting; project business model; process business model for large corporations; result-oriented business model; hybrid process business models based on the integration of organizational and cultural transformations; platform, subscription (using artificial intelligence) business models of management consulting with value in data. The study of the transformation of management consulting under the influence of digital technologies allows us to determine the relevant roles of a consultant – strategic architect of digital transformation of business and trust; integrator of business processes; designer of business models, solutions; facilitator of organizational changes; mediator of knowledge transfer; expert in ethics and risk management; ecosystem coordinator; assessment of technology effectiveness. The implementation of artificial intelligence automates analytical processes in consulting, ensures the transition from predictive analytics to the recommendation of optimal management solutions. The paper develops a conceptual model for assessing the effectiveness of the use of analytics in management consulting based on economic, strategic, process and behavioral approaches. The analytics performance assessment model allows us to objectively assess the weight of each component – data for decision-making, technology for analytics and solution development, scenario assessment methods, results of the consulting company’s client, impact on the customer’s business from the consultant and customer’s perspective. The implementation of the analytics performance assessment model is associated with the mechanism of managing challenges – subjective assessments, the delayed demand effect, data quality. The transfer of business models of management consulting companies will allow creating values on the basis of a technological system in conjunction with the ecosystem of scientific research in management. The impact of digital tools on knowledge transfer is indicated as a direction for further research.