The development of Critical Realism (CR), as a philosophy of science, is generally attributed to a series of books by Roy Bhaskar. It has proven to be influential, not least because it has an affinity with many people's views about the way the world fits together, both within and outside of academia. Whilst there are numerous contributions outlining CR theory in sociological and organizational research, as well as general texts about realist ontology, work delineating the consequences of these views for research practice is an emerging area of interest. This book aims to fill a significant gap in the literature by providing a practical guide to the application of CR in empirical research projects. More specifically, it explores the methodological consequences of committing to a CR ontology-the assumptions that researchers from this tradition make about the nature of reality. These assumptions are important because ontological commitments, which relate what we believe exists, often affect our epistemological concerns, which relate to our beliefs about how whatever exists can be studied and known. Thus, for a researcher, ontology and epistemology are important because they have consequences for the possibilities and limits of the research methods, techniques, and analyses that they employ. The book explains what CR is and outlines the logic of research design. In a series of chapters on major social science research methods, purpose-written by experts in the relevant technique, the book contains extended illustration of how to conduct inquiry using CR.

The book clearly shows how small consultancies grow successfully and is presented in an accessible way. The book has a strong digital angle, as this is something relatively new to consulting firms. The book draws on research with 50 CEOs of start-up consultancies. Written by a leading authority on building consultancies, and recognised author in the areas of management consultancy.

The book clearly shows how small consultancies grow successfully and is presented in an accessible way. The book has a strong digital angle, as this is something relatively new to consulting firms. The book draws on research with 50 CEOs of start-up consultancies. Written by a leading authority on building consultancies, and recognised author in the areas of management consultancy.

The development of Critical Realism (CR), as a philosophy of science, is generally attributed to a series of books by Roy Bhaskar. It has proven to be influential, not least because it has an affinity with many people's views about the way the world fits together, both within and outside of academia. Whilst there are numerous contributions outlining CR theory in sociological and organizational research, as well as general texts about realist ontology, work delineating the consequences of these views for research practice is an emerging area of interest. This book aims to fill a significant gap in the literature by providing a practical guide to the application of CR in empirical research projects. More specifically, it explores the methodological consequences of committing to a CR ontology-the assumptions that researchers from this tradition make about the nature of reality. These assumptions are important because ontological commitments, which relate what we believe exists, often affect our epistemological concerns, which relate to our beliefs about how whatever exists can be studied and known. Thus, for a researcher, ontology and epistemology are important because they have consequences for the possibilities and limits of the research methods, techniques, and analyses that they employ. The book explains what CR is and outlines the logic of research design. In a series of chapters on major social science research methods, purpose-written by experts in the relevant technique, the book contains extended illustration of how to conduct inquiry using CR.

Management Consultancy provides a comprehensive and up-to-date introduction to the consulting industry. The text uses theory as a basis for critical discussion, ensuring students fully understand the principal ideas behind consulting, as well the limitations. The authors' engaging and accessible writing style is combined with a wealth of real-world practical examples, which place management consultancy theory into the context of the business environment. The book's strong critical perspective encourages students to develop their analytical skills, while practitioner insights in every chapter provide guidance from leading industry professionals. Case studies throughout the text and a chapter devoted entirely to consulting skills, ensure students are equipped with the necessary tools to succeed within this complex and competitive industry. The text is supported by a fully integrated Online Resouce Centre, providing a range of additional resources for students and lecturers. For students: An additional chapter on 'types' of clients and forms of interventions and Chapter 11 on preparing for and conducting a case interview (NEW) Appendices to the book, including a sample consultancy contract, CV, covering letter, and RFI Excel (R) workbook containing the calculations contained in chapter 7 of the book Glossary Web links An author blog will link to Joe O'Mahoney's existing webpage and blog, which also includes a regularly updated RSS feed (NEW) For registered lecturers: Case commentary and answer guidance Suggested discussion questions Exercise solutions Suggested group projects PowerPoint slides