摘要：By means of four illustrative case studies, consultation interventions in small and medium sized (SMEs) enterprises are explored Recognized consultation intervention modes of 'expert ', 'doctor-patient' and 'process consultation' are found to fluctuate rapidly within each case st11dy, making apparent the need for consultants to be flexible and adopt an appropriate stance for client and contingencies of the situation. The permeability of the boundaries between content and process issues, with diagnosis and intervention inter-woven, is also apparent. The article concludes with a consideration of the conditions for success for different consultation modes with small businesses and implications for small businesses and enterprise development in their use of consultants.
