The use of information sources by business consultants: a study on a consulting market in Belo Horizonte

Abstract

Thirty sources used by business consultants were identified and categorized according to the origin (internal/external), proximity (personal/non-personal) and media (electronic/non-electronic). The behavior of the consultants for seeking information was identified, with emphasis on the frequency, perceived relevance and reliability. Electronic sources are more frequently accessed: personal sources are more relevant and reliable. The behavior of the consultants as for information use was identified: to make sense of the changes of the external environmental, to build knowledge or support decision-making. This last aspect was considered the main objective of information search for the consultants