"Knowing" in the consultancy firm: Exploring knowledge, people, context and tools in action

Drawing on the study of knowing as reference, this chapter explores how practitioners in a global consulting firm perform their practice, 'knowing' and 'acting' simultaneously. In this attempt, we identify some elements which have a main role when 'knowing-in-practice'. According to our findings, types of knowledge, activities, individuals and context are interwoven at the moment of 'knowing-in-practice'. However, this relationship is not static. Through the analysis of expert and novice consultants, we show evidence that bundles of knowledge evolve in such a way that the relevant type of knowledge varies through time, due mainly to the the context which comprises organizational aspects. Moreover, the form of 'knowing' also varies depending on the nature of the practice, among others. These findings have made us reflect about the theory of expertise which comprises aspects intimately related to knowledge types, knowing, practice and learning.