Duration
30h Th
Number of credits
Lecturer
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
This course is an introduction to the sociology of markets and to the sociology of the firm. Presenting a heterogeneous set of theoretical references and empirical studies, it discusses the concepts of markets and firms (developed within the sociological, economical and anthropological traditions) and some concrete (social, economic and political) facts in which there are incorporated.
The first step will consist into defining the concepts of firm and market through some theoretical references.
The second step will consist in emphasizing the empirical diversity of markets and firms. Rather than considering "the market" or "the firm" as a single, abstract principle, the course highlights the various ways in which economic exchange and production can be organized; the constructed character of markets and firms; their materiality (markets and firms are complex arrangements in which technical devices play a crucial role).
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.
- Linking 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 some scientific articles.
- To write and edit a working paper.
- To orally present a synthesis of some readings.
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 company 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.
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: 22/09.
Contacts
C.Dubois@uliege.be