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Rindo do que? Como consultores reagem ao humor crítico e à ironia sobre sua profissão

During the last decade, following the rapid growth of its industry, consultants and consulting firms have been exposed to several critiques. This paper summarizes the critiques coming from scholars, journalists and, specially, those coming from comic and ironic texts. Through a collaborative investigation, in which a mixed methodology of projective techniques and content analysis was used, the reactions to jokes about consultants from a sample of consultants from four professional services organizations were analyzed. The results suggest that this group of professionals is sensitive to critiques, but tends to rationalize, in a defensive manner, the critiques, instead of using the messages and meanings for reflection and self development.


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