Consulting Assemblages – A New Metaphor for Advancing Consulting Theory and Practice

Matthias Tomenendal

doi:10.2478/mcj-2026-0010

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Consulting Assemblages – A New Metaphor for Advancing Consulting Theory and Practice

Management Consulting Journal

Volume 9 (2026): Issue 2 (June 2026)

By: Matthias Tomenendal

Open Access

|Aug 2026

Abstract

This paper introduces the concept of “Consulting Assemblages” to advance consulting theory and practice. The paper builds on the new organizational metaphor of “Organizations as Algorithms”, applies it to the consulting context and thus reframes consultant-client interactions in the digital and AI era. Grounded in a semi-systematic literature review, the paper conceptualizes consulting as sociomaterial assemblages, offering a new framework to analyze agency and value creation dynamics in consulting. The paper hence provides insights for consulting practitioners and charts avenues for further research in this new topic area.

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