Abstract

Making jokes in organizational settings can have different effects: They can be beneficial or harmful. When they are considered appropriate, they can strengthen work relationships and stimulate inter-personal and intra-organizational communication. But when they are not amusing, jokes can harm not only the joke teller but also the organization. Research about the role of jokes in business has increased in recent years, but little is known about how to study those that are made among and about business consultants. This paper is a review of the book “Business Ethics and Critical Consultant Jokes” by Onno Bouwmeester who analyzes ethical transgressions of consultants by using four different research methods: Illustrations (text jokes and cartoons), interviews with consultants, joke-based surveys, and content analyses of qualitative data to reveal themes and concepts. The book can serve as a textbook for academics, scholars, and researchers in business ethics, management, and organization studies, as well as a reference guide for leaders, managers, and consultants.