Work

The hidden price of free advice: Negotiating the paradoxes of public sector business advising

Year: 2020

Type: article

Abstract: Business advisors working in publicly funded enterprise agencies encounter a range of tensions as part of their everyday work. These tensions subtly shape how they provide advice and can lead to variability in how enterprise policy is delivered on the ground. We explore the competing demands facing advisors by inductively analysing advice-giving practices in public sector enterprise agencies. We find three overarching drivers of advisor role tension, including institutional demands, client demands and intrinsic demands; additionally, a further seven discrete work tactics advisors deploy to navigate these tensions are analysed. From our findings, we develop a theoretical model that advances a dynamic understanding of public sector business advice. We conclude by reflecting on the structural issues with public sector advising that might constrain the efficacy of advisors.

Source: International Small Business Journal Researching Entrepreneurship

DOI: 10.1177/0266242620949989

Authors: Norin Arshed, Stephen Knox, Dominic Chalmers, Russell Matthews

Institutions: University of Dundee, University of Strathclyde, University of Glasgow

Language: English

Topic: Entrepreneurship Studies and Influences

Subfield: Management of Technology and Innovation

Field: Business, Management and Accounting

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,000

OpenAlex ID: W3082373745

FWCI: 0.914

Cites: 65

Cited by: 10

Related to: 10