What is the role of intellectuals ?

• Michel CROZIER
  Fellow, the Institut (equivalent of the Royal Society)
  
• Claude RIVELINE
  Professor, École des mines de Paris
  

Summary

How can one influence the course of events when one is an intellectual ? Michel Crozier chose a listening approach because he felt that this was the only way of dealing with the gridlocks which paralyse organisations. In a discussion with Claude Riveline, another connoisseur of the typical French resistance to change, Crozier, the sociologist comments on his career, his various meetings with organisations, and assesses his modus operandi. He feels that he was most useful in the business world, especially in helping to resolve two important crises at the SNCF (French National Railways) and Air France. His ideas also appealed to a number of politicians and continue to be used in research and in teaching. It remains to be seen whether society is finally ready to put them into practice.

Summary translated from French by Rachel MARLIN.

• The entire article was written by Élisa RÉVAH and translated by Rachel MARLIN.

To obtain this article, you can :

• download it in French (PDF help) using your password or contact ecopar@paris.ensmp.fr (Reference VA030605).
• download it for free in English (PDF help) or contact ecopar@paris.ensmp.fr (Reference VA030605-ENG).