A comparison of economic and business development in Britain and France in the 19th and 20th centuries. With a mixture of case-studies, sectoral analysis, and comparison, this book is a useful addition to an understanding of the evolution of business organization, competitiveness, and performance.

This comprehensive study provides a perceptive portrait of workplace employment relations in Britain and France using comparable data from two large-scale surveys: the British Workplace Employment Relations Survey (WERS) and the French Enquête Relations Professionnelles et Négociations d’Entreprise (REPONSE). These extensive linked employer-employee surveys provide nationally-representative data on private sector employment relations in all but the smallest workplaces, and offer a unique opportunity to compare and contrast workplace employment relations under two very different employment regimes. An insightful read for all academics and students of employment, the findings also have implications for practitioners and policy-makers keen to identify and promote “best practice”.

'Management and Labour in Europe is virtually without peer in that it brings much of the latest literature in industrial relations and management studies to bear on the subject of how institutions at the micro level shape the political economy. I view it as essential reading for scholars of comparative political economy and European politics.' - Peter A. Hall, Harvard University, US 'Everywhere in the book, one gets the feeling of an authoritative grasp of facts, figures and meanings, but everything is placed in the proper context and has been weighted in relation to competing or complementary findings. . . . despite the complexity and richness of findings taken on board, I found that the text is easy and compelling to read.' - Arndt Sorge, Organization Studies

Examining the nature of management in France in a social and cultural context, this book looks at the position of French managers, their education and career development, formal work relations, business rituals and the changes that 1992 may bring. Case studies are also included.

Business Elites and Corporate Governance in France and the UK is a cross-national study of business elites and corporate governance in France and the UK. It examines corporate governance from a comparative standpoint and looks beneath the surface at the exercise of power and authority in two distinct national business systems. It explores key issues concerning business elites, their networks, recruitment and reproduction. It aims to shed light on the mechanisms that govern the stability and regeneration of business elites against the backdrop of an increasingly global economy.

French business culture presents an intriguing picture to outsiders. Colin Gordon examines the key features of business practice, the business environment and business people. Specific aspects of French business culture are considered in the context of governmental, economic and legal influences. The author then goes on to look at the financial world, labour markets, trade unions and business organizations, training, environmental concerns. Finally, entrepreneurs and business people form the subject of an interesting analysis of the human side of French business culture.