| Abstract [eng] |
SUMMARY 70 pages, 17 tables, 12 drawings, 38 references. The aim of the master's thesis is to identify the possible roles of business consultants, their characteristics and experience, to identify the most commonly used roles of business consultants in companies, to develop a scenario model that would determine what area a business consultant needs and should perform. This master's thesis includes the analysis of the scientific literature, the substantiation of the research methodology, the description of the achieved results, the presented conclusions and suggestions. A semi-structured interview method was used in the study. The strategic needs of companies consulting and the roles of consultants performed by business consultants to help achieve the strategic goals witch have been identified. The data obtained during the interviews were systematized, analyzed and compared with the information and examples provided in the scientific literature. Analyzing the scientific literature, the concept of business consultants, types and specifics of consulting services, the process of consulting in implementing the strategic goals of companies, the pursuit of strategic goals using the services of consultants, the roles of consultants according to the tasks, goals and characteristics used by consultants in the main tasks. The models of business consulting presented in the scientific literature were also analyzed. During the research, interviews were made with company consultants and company representatives, trying to identify which roles existing in the Lithuanian consulting market are most often used by consultants and which according to their specifics are the most helpful to implement the strategic goals which is set by companies: expert, advisor, mentor, coach. The study also identified the strategic needs for organizations consultants and which companies use both consultancy and in-house resources: lack of skills to implement innovation in the company, searching for the best solution, lack of human resources, independent expertise, employee skills or qualifications development. The methods which consultants usually provide consultations and the most useful consultations methods in Lithuanian companies have been identified: indicative counseling, refining counseling, accepting or listening counseling. The study also found that consultants need to have both professional and personal skills that lead companies to value consulting as a quality service. During the interviews, it was established that in Lithuania, business consultants services are used after the strategic needs identification. Companies are not useing consultants services or useing ir very reraly to identify their strategic needs. Based on the scientific literature and the research, a model for selecting the role of the company's consultant was developed, based on which companies can select the appropriate criteria for the evaluation of consultants for each person according to the individual stage of submission. It can also help consultants to self-assess the model experience they can offer to business leaders or to present their services to companies, identifying roles or competencies that consultants can use for the strategic purpose of specific organizations. |
