ABSTRACT
The rapid expansion of knowledge-intensive services (KIS) since 1980, especially computer and business consultancies, reflects two other major changes in the business environment. The first is a general move by firms and public agencies to seek expertise from outside organizations, as well as from their own employees. Then, in response to growing demand, KIS have themselves become increasingly active in transforming the business information and specialist expertise environment. An important component of this transformation has been the increasing ‘tradability’ of KIS expertise over longer distances, nationally, internationally, and even on a global, multinational scale. The innovative potential of consultancy has therefore been enhanced, while established patterns of localized knowledge exchange have been augmented and challenged.
