Professionals and the new knowledge workers: The case of management consultancy

Management consultants can be seen as typical of a new breed of 'knowledge worker', other examples being workers in public relations, advertising, marketing and some financial services. Such occupations have commonly adopted the model of professional practice as their organisational form, but few are regulated in the way that traditional professions are. The new knowledge industries may in some senses be 'professionalised'; but are they professions? This article examines the question by comparing management consultancy with the recognised professions in various respects, and by drawing upon a survey of the clients and potential clients of management consultants