Thesis Abstract

Abstract
Management consultancy firms play a crucial role in assisting organizations to improve their performance, efficiency, and overall operations. This research project aims to explore the purpose and use of management consultancy firms in Nigeria, with a specific focus on Onitsha South Local Government Area in Anambra State. By conducting a case study in this region, the study seeks to understand the significance of management consultancy firms in driving organizational success and growth. The research methodology will involve both quantitative and qualitative approaches to gather comprehensive data. Surveys, interviews, and document analysis will be utilized to collect information from both management consultancy firms operating in Onitsha South L.G.A and their client organizations. The data collected will be analyzed using statistical tools and thematic analysis to identify patterns, trends, and key insights regarding the impact and effectiveness of management consultancy services. The findings of this study are expected to provide valuable insights into the reasons why organizations in Nigeria, particularly in Onitsha South L.G.A, engage management consultancy firms. It will explore how these firms contribute to strategic decision-making, process improvement, and overall business transformation. Additionally, the research aims to uncover the challenges faced by both consultancy firms and client organizations in the consultancy process. The implications of this research are significant for various stakeholders, including management consultancy firms, client organizations, policymakers, and academia. Understanding the purpose and use of management consultancy firms in Nigeria can lead to enhanced collaboration between consultants and organizations, resulting in improved business outcomes and economic development. Moreover, the findings can inform government policies and regulations to support the growth and effectiveness of the consultancy industry in the country. In conclusion, this research project will shed light on the role of management consultancy firms in Nigeria, specifically in Onitsha South L.G.A, and provide actionable recommendations for enhancing the impact of consultancy services. By examining the dynamics of consultancy engagements and the value they bring to organizations, this study aims to contribute to the body of knowledge on management consulting practices in the Nigerian context.

Thesis Overview

1.1           BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Nigeria has a complex society with different types of organization. Every organization encounters one or more problems that hamper the organization in achieving its set objective and goals. These problems ranges from financial availability human resources shortages monitoring competitor’s strategies raw materials shortages lack knowledge of how to manage the organization efficiently and effectively   in this social economic political and technological changes.

In Onitsha South this dynamism in the environment has continued to pose certain threats and opportunities to many organization e.g raw material sourcing market diversification research and development intensified competition market store managerial innovation improved organization climate and in fact an orientation towards an improved social quality of life. When this rapid change the management of any innovation and goal committed industrial establishment will periodically require a through skillful appraisal to the extent of which the current organization product and performance will meet the requirement of the situation and that of the organization goals and objective if the performance is shown to be inadequate management needs to be advised on how rectify this situation. To do this we require an individual with an experience of that is happening within the industrial establishment that is an employee (if one can be seen) possibly may not due to this assignment within the establishment. When an individual within the organization is not available it then requires the service of a management consultant to come in the must be committed to this work for it to function properly he should not be a member of the organization.

Management consultancy service is a constructive helpful deliberate and professional service provided to business organization to help the management in analyzing and solving practical organization problem by experts.

It focuses on the use of the expertise and research capabilities of their experts and facilities outside an organization to help solve internal organization problem. This aim is achieved by the management consultants through investigation and business recommendation of appropriate managerial actions and provision of implementation guidelines and facilities as a way of findings feasible and commensurate solutions to the problem at hand.

Management consultants have passed through many organizational problems and have leant how to use experiences from previous assignment to handle new once.

Management consultants keep abreast with development in management methods and technique and at the same time acting as a link between management theories and practices              

1.2   STATEMENT OF PROBLEM      

The massive failure of industrial establishment for the past few year were due a inadequate planning unforeseen frequent government policy changes shortage of raw materials inadequate financing of the organization.

Another problem that hamper the growth of industrial establishment or business in Onitsha South Local Government Area is that industrial establishment have not been making adequate use of services if the management consultancy firms

Thirdly though some firms may make use of the management consultancy firms they are still not making proper use of them for instance some firms do not state all that their problems are so that they could be taken care of properly.

Finally most industrialist or businessmen in Onitsha South L.G.A do not know the purpose of management consultancy firms.

This is because of lack of proper education on the part of the industrialist most of them are illiterates.

There is a problem of awareness creation the consultants fail make or create an industrialist are illiterate. They should be able to market themselves.

          1.3   SCOPE AND LIMITAITONS OF THE STUDY

The scope of this study is very wide if it has to be carried out in the whole of Onitsha. Bur the study is limited to Onitsha South L.G.A due to shortage of time and material resources to see to the whole of Onitsha. This research is limited to Onitsha South L.G.A and therefore the findings may not reflect the situation in the whole country.

Through this findings may not be valid for the whole country by and large what happens in Onitsha South can be said to apply to other Local Government Area of the Country.

1.4   THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

THE IMPORTANCE OF STUDYING THIS RESEARCH IS TO

1.     To examine how well the management consultants have been servicing the industrial establishment professionally that is from the industrial establishment points of view

2.     Determine to what extent industrial establishment in Ohitsha South of Anambra State are aware and well informed about the service rendered by the management consultants and the benefit of such service to the industries

3.     To verify problems hindering the industries from using the services rendered by the management consultants and also suggest alternative solution to problems.      

1.5   RESEARCH QUESTION

This research work will try to find answers to the following questions.

Do firms come to you for consultancy services?
How do you attend to this firm?
What kind of advice do you offer to them?
Do you ever inform them of government policies as regards the type of business they what to engage?
Do you ever direct them on the importance of feasibility studies before carrying out any business?
What emphasis do you lay on the basis amenities needed in sitting a business location
Are there gains derived by first of all consulting firms for counseling before sitting a business environment
What eventually are the objectives of the management consultancy firm with special reference on the Onitsha South Local Government Area?    
1.6       DEFINITION OF IMPORTANT TERMS

From the purpose of this work the following under listed terms are defined they are

1.   Industrial Establishment:       This is a business organization that engages in any of the following activities namely extracting manufacturing, processing and providing services that are essential to uplifting of human living standard.

2. Consultant Report:       This is the report of the consultant’s assignment in a written from. It contains the consultant’s findings and recommendations.

3. Client the person (s) or organization that engage the consultants it also means the customers of the management consultant.

4. Foreign body: Is an outsider when is neither a part of the worker in the company nor a customer.

5.   Repeat Behaivour:       This is the marketing term used to connote a repeat purchase of a commodity or service.

6.   Missions:   The objective or goals an organization or an individual wants to activities                

REFERENCE

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Anama U.I (1984) Consulting in Nigeria Unpublished B.S.C Thesis

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Chukwuidbe K (1994) Consultancy in Enugu State Enugu Filben Press

Doyles P (1992) Management of Consultancy New York Mcgram Hill BooksInc

Eze B.(1997) Small Business Management Enugu Abia Printers Ltd

Haginus L (1989)Small Business Development London Pitamans House