Alan Jenkins

Flexibility, individualization, and employment insecurity in France

Two tendencies have in recent years dominated the spread of “flexibility” in French employment practices—on the one hand the rise in the use of “nonstandard” contracts and working time arrangements (part-time, fixed term, and temporary work, and non-standard hours), and, on the other, the spread of an “individualization” in human resources management practices (principally concerning appraisal and reward) which has accompanied greater “functional” flexibilities below management level. This article proposes a brief synthesis and commentary on these important and controversial developments.

TRAINING AND HR STRATEGY IN FRANCE: DISCOURSE AND REALITY

Describes and analyses the recent evolution of the provision of continued in‐service training in French companies. This evolution is placed in its legal, political and social context with emphasis being placed on the interaction between state action and managerial strategies. Shows how an interplay of continued “social democratic” legislation and innovation in human resources management policies has served to place training at the top of the economic and social agenda in France. Also considers its role in contemporary French industrial relations.

Training and HR Strategy in France: Discourse and Reality

The recent evolution of the provision of continued in‐service training in French companies is described and analysed. This evolution is placed in its legal, political and social context with emphasis being placed on the interaction between state action and managerial strategies. It is shown how an interplay of continued “social democratic” legislation and innovation in Human Resources Management policies has served to place training at the top of the economic and social agenda in France. Its role in contemporary French industrial relations is also considered.

Work, New Technologies and the Changing Form of Industrial Relations in France

There is a deficiency of material on information technology (IT) based on the experiences of our neighbouring European countries. France is discussed, focusing, in particular, on the perception, implementation and diffusion of IT in the workplace. Certain factors are identified which are crucial in determining the mode of implementation, and the success or failure of technological change in the workplace, whether measured in behavioural or economic terms.