The "Reform of the Enterprise" in France

Abstract

In France, the "reform of the enterprise," a more common term than "industrial democracy," became an acute question in 1974-1975 with encouragement from Presi dent Giscard d'Estaing. He appointed a commission chaired by Pierre Sudreau to investigate the matter and make appropriate recommendations. The commission's report was published early in 1975. This essay is divided into four sections. First, it provides a brief outline of the most relevant institutions in the labor field to set the frame work for examining the problem of the reform of the enterprise. The second section outlines germane develop ments prior to the appointment of the Sudreau Commission and notes that, before 1974, reform of the enterprise con sisted mainly of a steady enlargement of the functions of plant committees (comités d'entreprise). The third section summarizes the chief proposals of the Sudreau Report. The final section reviews the still very modest follow-up to the report.