Denis Segrestin

Denis Segrestin’s research looks at the world of work, production relations, and the socio-historical conditions surrounding the transformation of these issues. Initially, his research addressed the ins and outs of professional identity and the logics of action associated with same. For instance, the corporatist phenomenon was observed to be not a relic, but rather an indicator of the strength of action communities forged throughout the history of industrial societies. These communities have indeed outlasted the economic and technical conditions in which they emerged, and have become symbols of the autonomy of labor in relation to capital.

Subsequently, Denis Segrestin began to focus on firms. He observes, over the course of the 1980s and 1990s, that firms were regaining favor in the collective consciousness, and he investigated the scope of this “rehabilitation” process. In his book, Sociologie de l’entreprise, he paints a picture of the historical conditions under which firms, long suspected of breaking with the legitimate social order, were able to regain the qualities of veritable social institutions.

Recently, Denis Segrestin has endeavored to get a glimpse of the changes underway inside large organizations. He has observed that over the last twenty years, our developed societies have created new views on the rationalization of production; he thus is conducting a sociological evaluation of the major contemporary fields of management. More broadly, his work focuses on the role of management in the current changes in capitalism.

His current work brings him back to the sociology of firms: he is looking at the sustainability of the firm as an institution in the global economy. Segrestin’s working hypothesis is the following: at every stage of development in capitalist societies, a series of compromises has allowed firms to become embedded in the social system. This is a crucial issue in the age of globalization. We often see firms as fluid, borderless entities, whose political and social affiliations have become suspect. But the jury is still out on this question, simply because there is still a place for production coordination spaces which work outside the market and are based on the application of rules.

Denis Segrestin strives to investigate this question empirically, using research on multiple subjects: the nature of network firms, the socio-political arrangements which underlie offshoring agreements, the issue of social responsibility, public governance constraints, and other issues. He is currently preparing a manuscript summarizing this research. He collaborates on the seminar on firms at the CSO, just as this seminar begins a new cycle with the title “Firms and Institutions.” The specific goal of this seminar is to study the normative system in which firms work today.

Teaching Activities

Introduction to sociology, lecture class, 24 hours, undergraduate program of Sciences Po-Paris, 1st year.

Sociology of the global firm – Debates in the age of globalization, elective, undergraduate program of Sciences Po-Paris, 2nd year.

Major sociological studies, Doctoral program in sociology, Master 1, in collaboration with A. Chenu.

Sociology of the firm, Doctoral program in sociology, Master 1, research seminar.

Conducting research, Doctoral program in sociology, Master 2, in collaboration with A. Chenu.

Other Activities

Associate qualified personality of the Economic, Social and Environmental Council of France (Decree of 6 March 2012).

Co-director for the Revue française de sociologie

Director of the doctoral program at the CSO (until septembre 2011)

Honours
Docteur honoris causa, Liege (2014)

Education

Degrees

Docteur d''État (Habilitation) in Sociology, Institut d''Etudes Politiques de Paris (1988).

Doctorate in sociology, Institut d''Etudes Politiques de Paris (1974).

Master’s from Sciences Po in Paris (Political and Social department) (1968).

Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology (1966-67).

Professional Career

Full Professor of sociology at the University Pierre Mendes France, Grenoble 2 (1990-2003)

Director of the Centre de recherche Innovation socio-technique et organisations industrielles (Socio-technical innovation and industrial organizations research center) (CRISTO), Université Pierre Mendès France & CNRS, 1992-2002.

Assistant Professor at the Conservatoire national des arts et métiers, Paris (1971-1990)

Director of the Laboratoire de sociologie du travail et des relations professionnelles (Industrial sociology and relations laboratory), CNAM & CNRS (1971-1990).