"You call it a structure taboo!" Relating consultant experiences to changing dynamics in healthcare. Issue 2 (8th April 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: van Nistelrooij, Antonie; Homan, Thijs
• Is Part Of: Journal of organizational change management. Volume 32:Issue 2(2019)
• Page Start: 182
• Page End: 193
• Publication Date: 2019-04-08
• Subjects: Organizational change -- Organizational autoethnography -- Management consultancy -- Unexpected developments in change projects; Organizational change -- Periodicals; Organization -- Periodicals; Management -- Periodicals; 658.406
• DOI: 10.1108/JOCM-06-2018-0173
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0953-4814

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive reflective perspective on the effects of an intervention in a healthcare organization, as experienced by a consultant. What does a consultant experience when things flounder? Design/methodology/approach: This paper applies a complex responsive process approach as a research perspective and autoethnography as a method to better understand the tensions of a consultant in interacting with members of a client-system. Findings: Focusing on the experiences of the first author during his work as a consultant in a healthcare institution. This approach contributes to the literature by providing a witness, rather than an aboutness, perspective on the experiences of a consultant during a completely unexpected event. Research limitations/implications: This paper is limited by looking at one case in the public sector. It should be considered as exploratory research. Originality/value: The paper can be of value to consultants who are working as a facilitator, as well as to management scholars and practitioners in the field of change management.