Frank Hulsbos
The relation between consultancy and knowledge productivity
At Kessels & Smit I have discovered how much fun research can be. My image of doing a graduation research was: sitting alone in the library. But as Indiana Jones said: “A good archaeologist gets out of the library from time to time”. My research is embedded in practice, so I come into contact with a wide range of professionals. Not only is this helpful for me, but I’ve also noticed that my research sets things in motion. I’m now experiencing the importance of the combination of science and practice.
At Kessels & Smit I am encouraged to base my work on my passions and talents. It’s unbelievable how powerfully it works to focus on my strengths. As a result, work is really fun. For example, together with Tjip de Jong, I’ve come up with a light-hearted way of informing people about my research. We’ve put a series of short films on YouTube in which Tjip interviews me about significant findings in my research. I wanted to tell people what I was working on. Sending out my thesis or making a PowerPoint presentation didn’t strike me as particularly appealing.
In my research I want to learn more about the relation between consultancy and knowledge productivity. I look at projects where consultants have worked with innovative questions. I want to know how the external consultant can contribute to knowledge productivity in these situations. Because my research relates to a subject I am close to, I’ve discovered how much fun it is to do.
During my research I received good support from the Research Practice, a group of people within Kessels & Smit who likes to do research. I feel at home in the Research Practice. In addition to conducting research, we also make really nice things.