Defining ‘Done’: The Ethical Dilemma of the Body-Shopping Model in Consulting

This paper explores the ethical implications of the body-shopping model in consulting, where firms embed consultants in operational roles within client’s organization. Based on a real-life case, explored from the client’s point of view, the analysis draws on institutional theory, consequentialism, and stakeholder theory to examine how such practices challenge consulting principles. The case highlights how institutional environment can compromise ethical judgement, raising questions about the effectiveness of individual-level codes of conduct. The paper argues that ethical responsibility must be considered beyond the individual consultant, addressing systemic issues within the consulting industry.