Sociology of organizations and markets

Duration

30h Th

Number of credits

Lecturer

Ludovic Bakebek, Christophe Dubois

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

This course offers an introduction to the sociology of firms and to the sociology of markets. It aims to promote understanding and discussion of the social, organisational and political phenomena that make up firms and markets, as well as the interactions between these two phenomenas.

First, we will rigorously define the concepts of firm and market by drawing on various theoretical frameworks. The concept of firm refers to a unit of production of goods and services that has developed over time, in the course of history; an organisation that brings together actors, socio-technical systems, exchanges, rules and contracts; an institution assigned responsibilities (civic, social, educational) in its relations with society and with other institutions (school, family, culture, religion, etc.). The concept of market refers to a variety of empirical realities (from the flower market to the professional footballers' market) and various forms of organisation of economic exchanges in society. These forms are all characterised by two types of relationship: dual competition (between suppliers and between demanders) and exchange (between a supplier and a demander).

Secondly, the course will draw on these concepts and a well-established methodology to account for the empirical variety of forms of firms and markets; their constructed nature (there are several ways to create or transform them); their material dimension (markets and businesses are complex arrangements in which technical devices play an essential role); and the political issues that drive them.

 

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

- To develop a sociological analysis by articulating some theoretical references and some empirical examples related to concrete work situations in firms and market exchanges.

- To articulate some sociological knowledge on markets and firms with some fundamental work of classic sociology (such as Weber, Simmel, Durkheim).

- To emphasize the collaboration in a group in order to reach certain goals.

- To discover certain English and French scientific journal.

- To read some English and French scientific articles.

- To collectively discuss certain scientific articles.

- To carry out two semi-directive interviews with players active on a specific market

- To observe the operation of a specific market.

- To write a working paper.

- To give an oral presentation of a reading summary.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

The basic knowledge in classic sociology should be already acquired.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

The first sessions will aim to define the concepts of firm and market. Then, gradually, students will discover various concepts relating to the analysis of concrete markets by basing themselves on scientific literature, on various concrete cases and on carrying out a semi-directive interview.

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Face-to-face course


Additional information:

The course will take place face-to-face as long as the health context allows it. 
In case of restrictive measures, the course will be organised in a hybrid way. 

Course materials and recommended or required readings

The lecture is based on FRANÇOIS P., 2008, Sociologie des marchés, Paris, Armand Colin (available at the library).
The reading of these articles (available online via Cairn or JStor) is recommended :

• BARREY, S. (2006). Formation et calcul des prix: le travail de tarification dans la grande distribution. Sociologie du travail, 48(2), 142-158.
• BARREY S., COCHOY F. et DUBUISSON-QUELLIER S., 2000, "Designer, packager et merchandiser : trois professionnels sur une même scène marchande", Sociologie du travail, 42 (3), p. 457-483.
• EYMARD-DUVERNAY F. et MARCHAL E., 2000, "Qui calcule trop finit par déraisonner : les experts du marché du travail", Sociologie du travail, 42 (3), p. 411-433.
• FRANÇOIS, P., & MUSSELIN, C. (2015). Les organisations et leurs marchés du travail. L'Année sociologique, 65(2), 305-332.
• FRANÇOIS, P., & FREZAL, S. (2018). Instituer l'incohérence. Aléa et hétérogénéité au sein du secteur assuranciel. Sociologie du travail, 60(1).
• FEYEREISEN, M., STASSART, P. M., & MÉLARD, F. (2017). Fair trade milk initiative in Belgium: bricolage as an empowering strategy for change. Sociologia Ruralis, 57(3), 297-315.
• GARCIA M.-F., 1986, "La construction sociale d'un marché parfait : le marché au cadran de Fontaines-en-Sologne", Actes de la recherche en sciences sociales, (65), p. 2-13.
• GEERTZ C., 1978, "The Bazaar Economy", American Economic Review, May, pp. 28-32.
• GRANOVETTER M., 1973, "The Strength of Weak Ties", American Journal of Sociology, 78 (May): 1360-1380.
• GRANOVETTER M., 1985, "Economic Action and Social Structure: The Problem of Embeddedness", American Journal of Sociology, 91(November): 481-510.
• HENNION A., 1983, «Une sociologie de l'intermédiaire : le cas du directeur artistique de variétés», Sociologie du travail, (4), p.459-474.
• JONVEAUX, I. (2011). Bière belge et image monastique. Ethnologie française, 41(1), 117-130.
• KARPIK L., 1989, "L'économie de la qualité", Revue française de sociologie, 30 (2), p. 187-210.
• KARPIK, L. (2000). Le guide rouge Michelin. Sociologie du travail, 42(3), 369-389.
• LAZARUS, J. (2012). Prévoir la défaillance de crédit: l'ambition du scoring. Raisons politiques, (4), 103-118.
• MUNIESA, F. (2000). Un robot walrasien. Cotation électronique et justesse de la découverte des prix. Politix. Revue des sciences sociales du politique, 13(52), 121-154.
• MUNIESA, F. (2005). Contenir le marché: la transition de la criée à la cotation électronique à la Bourse de Paris. Sociologie du travail, 47(4), 485-501.
• MUSSELIN, C., & PARADEISE, C. (2002). Le concept de qualité: où en sommes-nous?. Sociologie du travail, 42(2), 255-280.
• MUSSELIN, C. (1996). Les marchés du travail universitaires, comme économie de la qualité. Revue française de sociologie, 189-207.
• NOUGUEZ, E. (2007). La définition des médicaments génériques entre enjeux thérapeutiques et économiques. Revue française des affaires sociales, (3), 99-121.
• SEGRESTIN D., 1997, « L'entreprise à l'épreuve des normes de marché - Les paradoxes des nouveaux standards de gestion dans l'industrie », Revue Française de Sociologie, 38(3), pp. 553-585.
• SWEDBERG R., 1994, "Markets as Social Structures", in Neil Smelser and Richard Swedberg (eds.), Handbook of Economic Sociology. New York and Princeton: Russell Sage Foundation and Princeton University Press, pp. 255-282.
• TROMPETTE P., 2005, "Une économie de la captation. Les dynamiques concurrentielles au sein du secteur funéraire", Revue française de sociologie, 46 (2), p. 233-264.

Exam(s) in session

January exam session

- In-person

written exam ( multiple-choice questionnaire )

August-September exam session

- In-person

oral exam

Work placement(s)

Organisational remarks and main changes to the course

First lesson: 26/09.

Contacts

C.Dubois@uliege.be

Association of one or more MOOCs

Items online