A survey of the use of decision tools: the case of management consultants in Nairobi

Abstract

This study was set to survey the usage of decision tools by Management Consultants in Nairobi. A total of 32 consultants were studied. The major emphasis was on the decision tool and the factors affecting the use of the same. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to tap information on decision tools used, factors hindering the u~e of the decision tools, and the effects of environmental factors on the use of the dicision tools. The results of the study indicated that very few Management consultants use the decision tools. A good number of the respondents said that consultancy is skills and experience from similar situations which lead to "best practices" and "innovative practices". The factor analysis used revealed inability to represent most of the problems quantitatively, inappropriate client's environment, unsuitability of the models in Kenya's environment among others as some of the factors that hinder the use of the dicision tool. The statistical test of significance revealed that- there is no significant difference in us~ of the dicision tools between local and foreign management consultants.