SCIENCES DE LA SOCIÉTÉ
-
N° 59 - mai 2003
Information
and communication technologies : cross-approaches
Dossier
coordonné par Joëlle
FARCHY, Alain RALLET et Fabrice ROCHELANDET
Éric BROUSSEAU, Frédéric
MOATTY, Research perspectives of the social
sciences in ICT. Interdisciplinary bridges from Avignon (France)
Sébastien
TRAN, The electronic marketplace and market
forces in the car industry
Thomas DEBRIL, Anne France de SAINT-LAURENT, Closure of a market, formalisation of trade, overflow
of the actors. The case of computerised fish auction in Pays Bigouden
(France)
Claire SCOPSI,
Ethnic trade and new
technology in Barbès. The appearance of a new type of trading
Esther SAMUELIDES,
Sunk-costs strategies
on a market stemming from new technology. The case of mobile telephony
Yannick PAPAIX,
Human resource management
and digitisation. An application of the transaction costs analysis
Émilie-Pauline GALLIÉ, A framework for the analysis of ICT use in the different
stages of technological co-operation
Joëlle FARCHY,
Cinemas and digital
technology
Hélène MICHEL, Citizenship and representations of e-voting. An analysis
by cognitive linking
CHRONIQUE
Jean CAUNE,
Culture
and the science of information and communication (2) La démocratisation culturelle,
dernier grand récit de l'art
Éric BROUSSEAU,
Frédéric MOATTY,
Research perspectives of the social
sciences in ICT. Interdisciplinary bridges from Avignon (France)
Abstract
This paper seeks to highlight the
relevant interdisciplinary research programs that could structure
research in social sciences on the relationships between the development
of information and communication technologies (ICT) and the evolutions
of society. Eight programmes are identified. The wider programme
analyses the social context in which these technologies develop.
The next two programmes address intermediary issues : the transformation
that affects the management of groups of citizens; the modification
of the relationship towards knowledge. Four other programmes focus
on more specific issues : the shifts of representations and social
practices, of the economy, of modes of organization, and of managerial
practices. The last programme is a methodological one. It deals
with measuring ictuse and with the relevant ways of using digital
tracking.
Keywords : information and
communication technologies (ICT), regulation, cognition, organization,
sociology, economics, management.
Sébastien TRAN, The
electronic marketplace and market forces in the car industry
Abstract
The car industry has always been
successful in adjusting to the structural modifications of its
environment (globalization, demand evolution). As a result, it
is at the origin of many organizational paradigms or production
models, which have changed competitive practices and modes of
production. Nevertheless, the production system and distribution
network seem to have reached their limits. While using the Covisint
marketplace to maintain their market status, car manufacturers
are seeking to transform their hierarchical pyramidal organization
into a more flexible network.
Keywords : industrial organization,
car industry, electronic business, inter-firm coordination, electronic
marketplace, intermediation.
Thomas
DEBRIL, Anne France de SAINT-LAURENT,
Closure of a market, formalisation
of trade, overflow of the actors. The case of computerised fish
auction in Pays Bigouden (France)
Abstract
Between the supply from fishermen
and the demand from the wholesale fish merchants, occur the fish
auctions where the production of individual trawlermen is sold.
The authors first describe the successive investments in computerised
systems by the Chambers of Commerce in an attempt to formalise
and streamline the auction system according to the market representation
of Walrass. The authors then go on to demonstrate how the various
participants adapt their behaviour to this system : the fish wholesalers,
by prearranged agreement are able to diminish the effects of an
uncertain catch size or of uncertain demand, thus demonstrating
how computerisation has shifted the critical point of the marketing
exchange. In turn, the trawler fishermen maximise their catch
at sea while minimising the information they give to the market
on shore. If the Chambers of Commerce do in fact promulgate an
orthodox economic rhetoric, not all the interested parties adhere
to it to the same degree.
Key words : market, computerisation,
auction, fishing, ICT, closure, overflow.
Claire SCOPSI, Ethnic
trade and new technology in Barbès. The appearance of a
new type of trading
Abstract
Recent history shows that small
traders contributed to the invention and use of ict. The analysis
of the district of Barbès in Paris, reveals that telecommunication
products and services are distributed in small shops in a way
based on ethnic trade and its concepts of distance and nostalgia.
Well adapted to the lifestyle of migrants, telecenters could become
an opportunity for internet and multi-media learning and contribute
towards reducing the digital gap.
Keywords : information technologies,
telecenters, habits, migrants, digital gap, ethnic trade.
Esther SAMUELIDES, Sunk-costs
strategies on a market stemming from new technology. The case
of mobile telephony
Abstract
In this paper an analysis of the
profitability of a market stemming from technological innovation
is presented. The focus is on pricing strategies and costs sunk
by mobile phone carriers in order to increase demand for products
derived from innovation. The case of a new company capitalizing
exclusively on an innovation is compared with that of a company
where innovation fits into a background of traditional technology.
This reveals the existence of optimal strategies under certain
conditions of demand for the new technology and particularly of
the diversity of consumer preferences and perception of set costs.
Keywords : investment, technological
innovation, strategy, mobile telephony.
Yannick PAPAIX,
Human resource management and digitisation.
An application of the transaction costs analysis
Abstract
Human resource management is currently
experiencing a wave of information technology investments, which
justifies an empirical economic analysis. This gives us the opportunity
to test the transactionist theory of the firm, as applied to work
relations. Firstly we use Williamson's three critical attributes
of transactions to show that digitisation reveals the nature of
certain internal transactions of the firm. Then we examine the
economic and organisational characteristics of it, in order to
study their effects on the transaction costs previously identified,
and their consequences on the organisation of HRM.
Keywords : transaction costs,
digitisation, innovation, information systems, human resources,
information technologies, management
Émilie-Pauline GALLIÉ, A
framework for the analysis of ICT use in the different stages
of technological co-operation
Abstract
This study considers the impact
of ICT in the relationships of technological co-operation. Our
aim is to present an analytical framework in order to refine the
well-known hypothesis that ICT reduces the constraint of proximity.
With that purpose, we study co-operation as a process and we identify
the different phases. Then, we distinguish different types of
knowledge (nature, form) and the conditions of their transfer.
Finally, we define ICT and identify the different technologies
within this term. We then show that ICT has a different impact
on the need for face-to-face communication according to the phases
of co-operation and the nature of the knowledge.
Keywords : collaboration, ict,
geographic proximity, knowledge transfer.
Joëlle
FARCHY,
Cinemas and digital technology
Abstract
Cinemas, which for a long time were
the sole place of circulation for films have for a number of years
been faced with the competition of new supports. Recently, digital
technology has entered the home, opening up a huge potential of
circulation for works produced by the culture and entertainment
industry. However, it is unlikely that a virtual consumption will
be a complete substitute for physical consumption. Far from creating
perfect substitutes, Information and Communication Technology
(ict) opens up new markets in terms of complementarity. As a result
those involved in the business are obliged to re-align their position
geographically and above all economically thereby challenging
the model of « solidarity » between different agents
(producers-distributors-cinemas) which was characteristic of the
film industry over several decades.
Key words : economy of culture,
cinema, digital technology, distribution; film industry.
Hélène
MICHEL,
Citizenship and representations of
e-voting. An analysis by cognitive linking
Abstract
The electronic poll (e-vote), now tested in France, raises the
question of the utilisation of ICT for citizenship purposes. Understanding
the motivation of citizens confronted with this tool is essential
for public managers. But there are still many unknown factors.
E-voting seems to differ from other ways of participation. Even
if people become familiar with ICT, there are many reserves to
using the e-vote. Our research objective is to analyse citizens'
behaviour as regards the e-poll. We have studied their representation
systems by linking means to ends. The data was collected in Vandoeuvre
(France), during an experimentation of e-poll in June 2002.
Keywords : e-vote, citizenship,
representations, mean-to-ends links.