Theses defended in 2020

Date: December 10, 2020

Thesis supervisor: Géraldine SCHMIDT

Jury members:

• Mrs Géraldine SCHMIDT, Professor, IAE Paris-Sorbonne, Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, Thesis Director
• Mr Ludovic CAILLUET, Professor, EDHEC Business School, Rapporteur
• Mr Benoît DEMIL, Professor, IAE de Lille, Université de Lille, Rapporteur
• Mr Hervé LAROCHE, Professor, ESCP Business School, Suffragant
• Mr Jean-Yves MOLLIER, Professor Emeritus, UVSQ université Paris-Saclay, Suffragant
• Mrs Linda ROULEAU, Professor, HEC Montréal, Suffragante

Summary

Change and identity in an organizational field: The case of French publishing.

French publishing today appears to be a sector "undergoing change". Yet it is also characterized by a high degree of stability. Based on this initial empirical observation, this thesis proposes to analyze this paradox through the prism of the neo-institutional approach, with a particular focus on the role of identity in institutional change and maintenance at the level of an organizational field. Three studies address this issue through particular approaches and temporalities. The first examines the long history of the sector in the light of the
concept of imprinting, which helps us to understand how characteristics from the past remain in the present, despite proven institutional changes. The second analyses the extent to which changes in publishing over the last forty years have had an impact on the identity prescribed by employers to their editorial staff, through a longitudinal analysis of job ads since 1980. Finally, the third section examines how French publishers have dealt with the emergence of digital books and implemented a strategy to control the development of this market, highlighting the decisive role of identity in this effective institutional maintenance work.

• Mr Jean-Yves MOLLIER, Professor Emeritus, UVSQ université Paris-Saclay, Suffragant
• Mrs Linda ROULEAU, Professor, HEC Montréal, Suffragante

Date: December 7, 2020

Thesis supervisor: Nathalie RAULET-CROSET

Jury members:

• Mrs Nathalie RAULET-CROSET, Professor, IAE Paris-Sorbonne, Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, Dissertation director
• Mrs Solange HERNANDEZ, Professor, Aix Marseille University, Rapporteur
• Mr Franck AGGERI, Professor, CGS Mines Paris Tech, Rapporteur
• Mrs Isabelle VANDANGEON-DERUMEZ, Professor, Université D'Evry Val d'Essonne - Université Paris Saclay, Suffragante
• Mr. Florent NOËL, Professeur, IAE Paris-Sorbonne, Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, Suffragant
• Mr Joël LAROUSSE, Responsable des offres d'Environnement de travail, SNCF, Suffragant

Summary

For an interactionist approach to corporate social responsibility: from micro-CSR to moral entrepreneurship. The SNCF case.

Our thesis focuses on the interaction between individuals and the organization around CSR issues and the modalities of their dissemination, in the specific contexts of a public enterprise rooted in society.

The core of our questioning concerns the nature and forms of the interactions that the diffusion of CSR will generate between the organization (macro) and its members (micro).

We adopt an interactionist approach to micro-CSR phenomena enabling us to study actors' actions and interactions in situated contexts, and to understand what enables them to connect to the organization through different CSR diffusion trajectories. More specifically, we mobilize the theoretical framework of moral entrepreneurship, to analyze how certain individuals will influence the CSR approach, in the way it will spread and be applied within the organization, and even outside its walls.

We draw on seven portraits and three case studies "embedded" in the organization. Our empirical results are presented in two stages: the analysis of the narratives allows us to identify the perceptions and behaviors of individual actors (at the micro level), then the study of the cases allows us to analyze how these individuals relate to the organization (micro-macro interactions).

The cases have enabled us to characterize different forms of moral entrepreneurship in contexts where individual morality seeks to (re)connect with that of the company, notably around certain recent issues (migrant crisis, biodiversity erosion), while other older themes (such as the circular economy) no longer need this type of "moral campaign" to impose themselves on the organization.

The main theoretical contributions of our thesis lie in the field of micro-CSR, enriched by the interactionist approach of moral entrepreneurship, which has enabled us to qualify the bottom-up dimension of CSR in which actions and interactions are played out that can have effects at the organizational level, in situated contexts serving as an interface between the company, territories, individuals and society.

An interactionist approach of corporate social responsibility: from micro-CSR to moral entrepreneurship. The SNCF case.

This thesis focused on the nature and forms of interactions that the diffusion of CSR may generate between the organization (macro) and its members (micro), in the specific contexts of a public firm deeply rooted in the society. An interactionist approach to micro-CSR allowed us to study the actions and interactions of individuals, and to understand how they link to the organization through different ways of diffusion of CSR.

We mobilize the theoretical framework of moral entrepreneur to analyze how some individual actors can influence the diffusion of CSR in and out the organization.

We relied on a number of portraits and an embedded case study. Seven portraits were drawn from the experience stories of actors especially committed to CSR. They revealed the driving role of moral values which are specific to the culture and identity of public companies.

Through three embedded cases, we characterized different forms of moral entrepreneurship when individuals seek to (re)connect their moral values with the company's ethical standards, especially around recent CSR issues (migrant crisis, biodiversity loss), while former issues (such as the circular economy) no longer need this type of "moral campaign" to prevail in the organization.

The moral entrepreneurship framework can make a contribution to the field of micro-CSR, specifically in the top-down approach of these phenomena in organizational contexts.

Date: December 1, 2020

Thesis supervisor: Géraldine MICHEL

Jury members :

• Mrs Géraldine MICHEL, Professor, IAE Paris-Sorbonne, Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne,
• .
• Mrs Sophie RIEUNIER, Professor, IAE Gustave Eiffel, Université Gustave Eiffel, Thesis co-director
• Mrs Valérie GUILLARD, Professor, Université Paris 9 Dauphine, Rapporteur
• Mr Éric REMY, Professeur, Université Toulouse 3 Paul Sabatier, Rapporteur
• Mrs Maud HERBERT, Professor, IAE de Lille, Université de Lille, Suffragante
• Mr Thomas STENGER, Professor, IAE Poitiers, University of Poitiers, Suffragan

Summary

Gaining a better understanding of the relationship between religion, materialism and consumption: the case of Catholics in France

This research explores how consumers apprehend and manage the tension between religious injunctions of sobriety and the consumer society in which they live. Based on life stories collected from 20 practicing Catholics, we highlight the forms taken by the tension between religion and materialism around a dialectic between the "world of God" and the "world of consumption". These "worlds" oppose: (1) religious ideology vs. consumerist ideology; (2) deceleration vs. acceleration; (3) "sacred identity" vs. postmodern identity. The research also sheds light on the interactions and hybridizations between religion and consumerism. The "adherence" movement accounts for the ways in which religion supports consumption practices rooted in sobriety and withdrawal from the market. The "bricolage" movement explains how consumer practices can lead to a revisiting of one's relationship with religion.

This research aims at better understanding how consumer interprets and manages the tension between religious precepts (fostering simple living and modest possessions) with consumer society he lives in. Based on life stories of 20 French Catholics, we point out how the tension between religion and materialism takes the form of an opposition between two "worlds": "God world" and "consumption world". These worlds confront : (1) religious ideology vs consumerism ideology ; (2) deceleration vs acceleration ; (3) " sacred identity " vs postmodern identity. Moreover, we highlight interplays between religion and consumption. The " commitment " trend reveals how religion shapes consumption practices based on sobriety and exit from the market. The " customise " trend shows how consumption can encourage individuals to revisit and (re)interpret religious precepts.

Date: November 30, 2020

Thesis supervisor: Éric LAMARQUE

Jury members:

• Mr. Éric LAMARQUE, Professor, IAE Paris-Sorbonne, Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, Thesis Director
• Mr Pedro ARBULU, Maître de Conférences HDR, Université de Bordeaux, Rapporteur
• Mr Juan PINEIRO, Professor, University of Santiago de Compostela, Rapporteur
• Mrs Véronique BESSIERE, Professor, University of Montpellier, Suffragante
• Mr Jérôme CABY, Professeur, IAE Paris-Sorbonne, Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, Suffragant

Summary

The Effectiveness of Internal Governance Mechanisms in Bank-Related Outcomes: Evidence from Systemically Important European Banks

This thesis examines the extent to which the quality of internal governance practices can effectively determine bank-related outcomes. Bank governance has received a great deal of attention in the literature, especially after the financial crisis of 2007-2008, which revealed the underlying weaknesses of many banks. Despite various government and regulatory reforms encouraging sound and safe governance practices, the question of what exactly makes internal governance mechanisms effective is still a widely debated topic. In general, banks use multiple lines of defense to strengthen their internal governance. In addition, the Board of Directors and the CEO have a significant influence on banks' results. In addition, banks also focus on internal committees and control systems to better manage their activities. Therefore, this thesis takes these perspectives into account in order to conduct three different but interrelated studies The sample comes from European systemically important banks over the past five years (2013-2017). These banks fall under the direct supervision of the European Central Bank (ECB) due to their systemic importance. The time taken into account for this study is also crucial insofar as the Capital Requirements Directive (CRD IV) came into force in 2013. In addition, the European Banking Authority (EBA) also published updated internal governance guidelines in 2018. Thus, this period makes it possible to achieve consistent results without regulatory divergences. The studies in this thesis are based on manually created single governance datasets (from annual reports, registration documents, governance and risk management reports) and a financial dataset (extracts from Moody's BankFocus and ORBIS). The first study examines the influence of the Board of Directors, through its oversight and advisory function, on the bank's financial strength. Drawing on the perspectives of agency theory and resource dependence, the first study reveals that the financial expertise of independent directors and their networking with other firms tend to reinforce the bank's financial strength. The significant findings of the first study have led to critical questioning of the role of a powerful CEO in the board's advisory and supervisory tasks. In line with the bargaining model and friendly board theory, the second study reveals that CEO power obtained from a variety of sources plays a role in the board's advisory and control tasks. These results confirm that in a dynamic business environment, the CEO prefers advisors with bank-specific expertise on the board rather than strict controllers. Finally, the third study focuses on the additional and newly developed line of defense that banks are putting in place to optimize risk; this line of defense includes sound risk management practices. The results of the third study confirm that strong internal risk controls and oversight, such as risk gout provisions, the authority and status of the chief risk officer, and the characteristics of the risk committee, tend to reduce banks' financial fragility. In summary, this thesis revealed that effective internal governance enhances banks' resilience by improving their financial strength and reducing their financial fragility. The findings of the studies conducted as part of this thesis have implications for regulators, policymakers and banks in a number of ways. Firstly, the quality of boards of directors needs to be assessed alongside their independence. Independent directors with expertise and networks relevant to the bank provide resources to the company by advising it. These directors are prestigious, so they perform their duties effectively. Moreover, powerful CEOs also prefer the advisory function of the board, which in turn reinforces the bank's financial strength. Finally, banks need to prioritize their internal risk control and monitoring. Adequate allocation of resources to risk management practices would help reduce financial fragility.

Three Essays on the Internal Governance Mechanisms of the Systemically Significant European Banks

This thesis examines the extent to which the quality of internal governance practices can effectively determine bank-related outcomes. Banking governance has received a lot of attention in the literature, especially after the financial crisis of 2007-08, which exposed the underlying weaknesses of several banks. Despite various governmental and regulatory reforms that encourage sound and safe governance practices, the question of what exactly makes the internal governance mechanisms effective is still a widely debated topic. Generally, banks employ multiple lines of defense to strengthen their internal governance. On the broader level, board and the CEO have a significant influence on the bank-related outcomes. Moreover, banks also focus on internal committees and control systems to better manage their activities. Hence, this thesis took into account these perspectives to conduct three different but interrelated studies. The sample is derived from the systemically significant European banks for five years (2013-2017). These banks come under the direct supervision of the European Central Bank (ECB) due to their systemic importance. The time considered for this study is also crucial in a way that the Capital Requirements Directive (CRD IV) implemented in 2013. Besides this, the European Banking Authority (EBA) also published the updated internal governance guidelines in 2018. Hence, this period provides consistent results without regulatory discrepancies. Studies conducted under this thesis are based on manually created unique governance datasets (from annual reports, registration documents, governance, and risk management reports) and financial datasets (from Moody's BankFocus and ORBIS). The first study investigates the influence of board through their monitoring and advising function on the bank's financial strength. Building upon the agency perspective and resource dependence view, the first study reveals that independent directors' financial expertise and networking with other firms tend to enhance bank's financial strength. The significant findings of the first study created a critical question about the role of powerful CEO in advising and monitoring tasks of the board. Consistent with the negotiation model and theory of friendly boards, the second study reveals that CEO power attained through various sources plays role in advising and monitoring tasks of the board. These findings confirm that under the dynamic business environment, the CEO prefers advisors with bank-specific expertise on the board rather than tough monitors. Finally, the third study focuses on the additional and newly developed line of defense that banks put in place to optimize the risks; this line of defense includes sound risk management practices. The third study's results confirm that strong internal risk controls and supervision, such as risk appetite arrangements, chief risk officer's authority and status, and risk committee characteristics, tend to reduce bank's financial fragility. In sum, this thesis revealed that effective internal governance enhances banking resilience by improving financial strength and lowering financial fragility. The findings of studies conducted under this thesis have implications for regulators, policymakers, and banks in several ways. First, board quality must be evaluated along with independence. Independent directors with bank-relevant expertise and networks provide resources to the firm through advising. Such directors are prestigious, hence effectively perform their tasks. Moreover, powerful CEOs also prefer the advisory task of the board, which in turn enhances the bank's financial strength. Lastly, banks should prioritize their internal risk control and supervision. The Adequate allocation of resources to risk management practices would help to reduce financial fragility.

Date: November 30, 2020

Thesis supervisor: Nathalie RAULET-CROSET

Jury members:

• Mrs Nathalie RAULET-CROSET, Professor, IAE Paris-Sorbonne, Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, Thesis Director
• Mrs Aurélie DUDEZERT, Professor, Université Paris-Sud, Rapporteur
• Mr Amaury GRIMAND, Professor, IAE de Nantes, Rapporteur
• Mr François-Xavier DE VAUJANY, Professor, Université Paris Dauphine, Suffragant
• Mr Patrick GILBERT, Professor, IAE Paris-Sorbonne, Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, Suffragant
• Mr Alain PRAXMARER, Director of the Bischeim industrial technical center, SNCF, Suffragant

Summary

Mediations of digital instruments in the activity of middle managers. An ethnography within SNCF industrial technicenters.

Since the introduction of digital technologies into organizations, middle managers are faced with a multiplication of artifacts and usage possibilities. Based on this field observation, our thesis questions the transformation of managerial activity engendered by this constellation of digital tools. More specifically, we propose a theoretical bridge through the mediations of instruments understood as a composition of artifacts and uses (Rabardel 1995), between a sociomaterial approach to the digital potentialities - or affordances - perceived by managers (Leonardi 2011) and the different levels of analysis in activity (Leontiev 1976, 1978). This framework then enables us to analyze in detail the actualization by middle managers of digital affordances in these instruments. In turn, this dynamic instrumental construction transforms their activity. In terms of methodology, we conducted 27 months of ethnographic research in SNCF industrial maintenance technicenters, using the shadowing technique (Czarniawska 2007). Our empirical results show that middle managers are confronted with contradictory injunctions created or accentuated by digital technology. They try to respond in concrete terms by integrating perceived digital affordances into the instrument. Their managerial activity is thus reshaped through cognition, action and interaction. Over time, the constellation of digital instruments built up in situation demands to be harmonized in activity. This is achieved via learning affordances perceived by managers (color codes, common uses, etc.). The main contribution of our research lies precisely in the central role of these learning affordances (Kaptelinin and B. Nardi 2012) in managerial activity to construct and assemble digital instruments; Our work thus contributes to the literature on technology-mediated change (Allen et al. 2013). By taking various paths of instrumental construction and assembly on the basis of learning affordances, the MIPI ultimately experiments with what makes sense and what is efficient for him in his activity. In this sense, digital instruments can contribute to the development of managerial agency (Clot, 2014).

Digital instruments mediations in middle management activity.An organizational ethnography within train maintenance plants at SNCF.

Since the introduction of digital technologies in organizations, middle managers must deal with a multiplication of artifacts and potential uses. We approach in this doctoral work the question of managerial activity transformation of managerial activity through this constellation of digital tools. More specifically, a theoretical bridge is advanced, between a sociomaterial approach based on the digital affordances perceived by managers (Leonardi 2011) and the different levels of analysis in the activity (Leontiev 1976, 1978) through instrumental mediation as a layout of artefacts and uses (Rabardel 1995). This framework foregrounds the instrumental updating by middle managers of digital affordances and the dynamic in managerial activity transformation.

To explore this tentative theory, we turn to a 27-months ethnographic study of managerial activity in train maintenance plants using shadowing technique (Czarniawska 2007). The findings of this explanatory case study show that digital gives rise to contradictory injunctions. Middle managers try to concretely reply to them by actualizing perceived digital affordances into instrument. Their managerial activity is thus reshaped in cognition, action and interaction. Over time, the constellation of digital instruments built in managerial situation requires more consistency. An assembly is then carried out thanks to learning affordances (colour codes, common uses...). The main contribution of our research lies precisely in the central role of learning affordances (Kaptelinin and B. Nardi 2012). Our work thus contributes to the literature on technology mediated changes (Allen et al. 2013). Through instrumental construction and assembly, middle managers experience what makes sense and what is efficient for them in their activity. Thus, digital instruments can contribute to the development of managerial empowerment (Clot, 2014).

Date: November 17, 2020 - 2pm

Thesis supervisor: Géraldine MICHEL

Members of the jury:

• Mme Géraldine MICHEL, Professor, IAE Paris-Sorbonne, Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, Thesis Director
• Mrs Sophie RIEUNIER, Professeur des Universités, IAE Gustave Eiffel, Université Gustave Eiffel, Rapporteur
• Mr Eric VERNETTE, Professor, Toulouse School of Management, Université Toulouse 1, Rapporteur
• Mr Pierre VOLLE, Professor, Université Paris Dauphine, Suffragant
• Mrs Emmanuelle Le NAGARD, Professor, ESSEC Business School, Suffragante

Summary

Brand Social Responsibility: Strategies for legitimizing practices and consumer perception

Brands are multiplying environmental, social and societal commitments in order to meet individuals' strong expectations for more responsible consumption, thus operationalizing a transfer of corporate social responsibility to the brand. This research proposes a conceptual framework for Brand Social Responsibility (BSR) based on the Strategy-As-Practice perspective and legitimacy theory. Firstly, on the basis of three qualitative studies, we highlight the use of three persuasive communication strategies (authorization, rationalization, narrativization) to legitimize BSR practices. Secondly, an experiment carried out with 465 people shows that these three legitimization strategies have a stronger influence on the perception of the responsible brand than a simple informative communication strategy, but also that they have a positive indirect role on the various dimensions of the brand-consumer relationship.
Our study reveals that the strategy of authorization, rationalization and narrativization has a positive impact on the perception of the responsible brand. Our study reveals that the authorization strategy makes the brand more human, reinforces trust in the brand and gives meaning to people's consumption. As for the rationalization strategy, it also makes the brand more human and reinforces trust in the brand, but does not impact the meaning the individual gives to consumption, while the narrativization strategy only has an influence on the anthropomorphization of the brand. Furthermore, this research shows that the more altruistic or empathetic the individual, the less receptive he or she will be to the narrativization strategy. Finally, we highlight the fact that the higher the individual's self-esteem, the more the perception of brand responsibility positively impacts his attitude and behaviors towards the brand.

Brand Social Responsibility: legitimation strategies of practices and consumers
perceptions.

Brands develop environmental, social and societal activities to meet the high expectations of individuals for more responsible consumption, thereby operationalizing a transfer of social responsibility from the company to the brand. This research offers a conceptual framework for Brand Social Responsibility (BSR) based on the Strategy-As-Practice model and the theory of legitimacy. First, through three qualitative studies, we highlight the use of three communication strategies (authorization, rationalization, narrativization) to legitimize BSR practices. Then, an experiment involving 465 participants shows that these three legitimation strategies have a stronger influence on the perception of the responsible brand than a simple information communication strategy, as well as a positive indirect role on the different dimensions of the brand-consumer relationship. Our study reveals the positive role of the authorization strategy on brand anthropomorphism, the meaning in consumption and consumer trust. The rationalization strategy only has a positive impact on anthropomorphism and consumer trust, but no impact on the meaning in consumption, while the narrativization strategy only has an influence on brand anthropomorphism. This research shows, moreover, that when a consumer perceives himself as altruistic or empathetic, the impact of the narrativization strategy is diminished. Finally, we highlight the fact that the more an individual has a high self-esteem, the more the perception of the responsibility of the brand has a positive impact on his attitude and behaviors towards the brand.

Date: October 14, 2020 - 4:30 pm

Thesis supervisor: Eric LAMARQUE

Jury members:

• Mr. Eric LAMARQUE, Professor, IAE Paris-Sorbonne, Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, Thesis Director
• Mr Yvon PESQUEUX, Professor, CNAM, Rapporteur
• Mr Rémi JARDAT, Professor, Université d'Evry Val d'Essonne, Rapporteur
• Ms. Elisabeth ALBERTINI, Senior Lecturer, IAE Paris-Sorbonne, Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne , Suffragante
• Mr Jean-Paul LARCON, Professor Emeritus, École des hautes études commerciales, Suffraganant

Summary

The purpose of this thesis is to understand the role of independent directors in Russian energy companies. Introduced to defend shareholders' interests and provide a counterweight to management, the independent director has become one of the symbols of good corporate governance practice. However, this role of independence can remain formal, and does not necessarily lead to changes in the actual distribution of powers. This is particularly true of strategic sectors and those close to political power in emerging countries.
Based on a survey of a sample of independent directors of these companies and an in-depth case study, this thesis illustrates that, to exercise effective control, the role of independent directors must be accompanied by skills and processes. It also occupies resource and symbolic functions that may suffice to legitimize its presence. Thus, while agency theory remains relevant, with the mobilization of resource dependency theory, both theories are part of a cognitive perspective of the board of directors that enrich practical recommendations for corporate governance.

The influence of independent directors in Eastern Europe: The case of the energy sector in Russia

The purpose of this thesis is to understand the role of independent directors in Russian companies in the energy sector. Introduced to defend the interests of shareholders and act as a counterweight to the executive committee and CEO. The independent directors had become one of the symbols of good corporate governance practices. This role of independence can however remain formal and does not necessarily lead to a change in the effective distribution of powers. This situation applies particularly to strategic sectors close to political power in emerging countries.
Based on a survey of a sample of independent directors of these companies and an in-depth case study, this thesis illustrates that, to exercise effective control, the role of independent directors must be accompanied by skills and of process. It also occupies functions of resource and symbol which can be enough to legitimize its presence. Thus, if the agency theory remains relevant, with the mobilization of the resource dependence theory, these two theories are part of a cognitive perspective of the board of directors which enrich the practical recommendations in matters of corporate governance.

Date: October 2, 2020 - 4:30 pm

Thesis supervisor: Géraldine SCHMIDT
Co-supervision: Fabienne BERGER-REMY

Jury members:

• Mrs. Géraldine SCHMIDT, Professor, IAE Paris-Sorbonne, Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, Thesis Director
• Mrs Fabienne BERGER-REMY, Senior Lecturer, IAE Paris-Sorbonne, Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, Thesis Co-supervision
• Mrs Chloé GUILLOT-SOULEZ, Maître de conférences HDR, Université Lyon 3, IAE Lyon, Rapporteur
• Mr Pierre VOLLE, Professor, Université Paris 9 Dauphine, Rapporteur
• Mrs Fanny POUJOL, Professor, Université Paris Nanterre, Suffragante
• Mrs Isabelle COLLIN-LACHAUD, Professor, University of Lille, Suffragante

Summary

While there is a wealth of literature on reputation in management science, the effects of corporate reputation crises on stakeholders have yet to be explored. Research devoted to the effects of such crises on employees is limited, and the phenomenon is still poorly understood among consumers. The aim of this thesis is to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms and factors that amplify the crisis for each of these two stakeholders. We propose to mobilize the analytical framework of the psychological contract and organizational identification to better understand the phenomenon. Following on from the work of Fournier (1998) and Macneil (1980), a first study describes the mechanisms and perceptual dynamics of the company-customer relationship following negative media coverage: the breach, then the perceived or unperceived violation, of the psychological contract may explain why the reputation crisis does not always lead to a change in consumer attitudes. A second piece of research presents the results of a qualitative study on a company subject to reputational damage, and examines how current employees integrate the reputational crisis into their psychological contract. The analysis reveals that employees' organizational identification could be an amplifying factor in the
breach of the psychological contract. These latter results are quantitatively tested and confirmed in a third research study. Finally, our thesis provides Marketing and Human Resources departments with operational tools for diagnosing reputational crisis, through an identification of the factors amplifying the crisis among employees and customers.

.

Consumers and employees faced with a corporate reputation crisis:
A reading through the psychological contract and organizational identification

While there is an abundance of literature on reputation in the management sciences, the effects of corporate reputation crises on stakeholders have to be explored. Researches on the effects of these crises on employees are limited, and the phenomenon is still poorly understood among consumers. The aim of this thesis is to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms and factors that amplify the crisis for each of these two stakeholders. We propose to mobilize the analytical framework of the psychological contract and organizational identification to better understand the phenomenon. In line with the work of Fournier (1998) and Macneil (1980), a first study describes the mechanisms and perceptual dynamics of the business-customer relationship after negative information in the media: the rupture, then the perceived or not perceived violation, of the psychological contract can explain why the reputation crisis does not always lead to a change in consumer attitudes. A second research project presents the results of a qualitative study on a company subject to reputation damage and examines the way in which current employees integrate the reputation crisis into their psychological contract. The analysis reveals that organisational identification of employees could be a factor that amplifies the violation of the psychological contract. These latter findings are quantitatively tested and confirmed in a third research study. Finally, our thesis provides Marketing and Human Resources departments with operational tools to diagnose the reputation crisis, through an identification of the factors amplifying the crisis among employees and customers.

Date: July 08, 2020 - 4pm

Thesis supervisor: Eric LAMARQUE

Jury members:

• Mr. Eric LAMARQUE, Professor, IAE Paris-Sorbonne, Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, Thesis Director
• Mr Jean-Fabrice LEBRATY, Professeur agrégé des Universités, IAE, Université Lyon3, Rapporteur
• Mr Didier DANET, Professor - Director of MS Cyber Defense, Université de Rennes 1 - Ecoles de Saint-Cyr Coëtquidan, Rapporteur
• Mr. Patrick GILBERT, Professor, IAE Paris-Sorbonne, Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, Suffragant
• Mrs Véronique CHANUT, Professor, Université Panthéon - Assas, Suffragante
• Didier CASTRES, Senior advisor, CEIS, Suffragant

Summary

This research studies the alteration of trust within teams evolving in extreme situations, here the military. It focuses on analyzing the influence of this alteration on decision-making relating to the execution of orders given, and addresses the double-edged role of values. This research is based initially on observations made in extreme situations, in a war zone in the Ukraine, then on 38 interviews conducted in France, and on a systematic observation carried out with 21 participants. This trans-disciplinary work draws on models from social psychology, polemology, management science and the analysis of extreme situations. It suggests a model explaining how the difference in value can have an impact on trust and on the behavior of an agent who can destabilize the organization. In an abductive approach, he proposes that exposure to information that confronts fundamental values, particularly via the Internet, would trigger a strong reaction, weakening caution towards the source, which could go so far as to modify trust in the organization.
Finally, this research analyzes the consequences of this difference in values for the organization. Finally, this research analyzes the consequences of this mechanism, insists on the fundamental need to take it into account, and proposes some suggestions that could be made to manage it.

Decision making in extreme situations under effect of new informational strategies:
the military teams case

This research addressed the possibility of trust alteration in teams working in extreme situations- namely soldiers- through the Internet, and its influence on decision-making and order execution. It also observes the double-edged role of values among army personnel. It focuses on how trust alteration and value discrepancy may impact personnel behaviour and destabilize the organization.
This study is firstly based on observations led in extreme situations, in a war zone, in Ukraine, then on 38 interviews led in France and on a directed observation on 21 subjects. This trans-disciplinary work is based on social psychology models, in war studies, management sciences, and in extreme situations theories. It suggests an exposure to information which confronts the core values, especially through the Internet, should trigger an overwhelming reaction, weakening caution towards the source, and could finally modify the trust in the organization. Finally, this research focused on the consequences of this mechanism, the fundamental necessity of taking it into account and suggests proposals which could be made to cope with it.

Date: June 25, 2020 - 09:00

Thesis supervisor: Sophie RIEUNIER

Jury members :

• Mrs Sophie RIEUNIER, University Professor, Université Paris-Est Marne La Vallée, Thesis Director
• Mrs Gaëlle PANTIN-SOHIER, Professeur des Universités, Université d'Angers, Rapporteur
• Mr Bertrand BELVAUX, Professeur des Universités, Université de Bourgogne, Rapporteur
• Mrs Géraldine MICHEL, Professeur des Universités, IAE Paris-Sorbonne, Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, Suffragante
• Mrs Claire ROEDERER, University Professor, University of Strasbourg, Suffragante

Summary

The influence of store digitalization on customer experience and behavior
. In this thesis we study the impact of the shopping experience on consumer behavior in the context of a physical store offering digital devices to its customers. We also test the moderating role of the individual variables Need For Touch and Optimal Level of Stimulation on this link. After carrying out a literature review on our key concepts, we conducted three successive studies: a qualitative study with managers, followed by two in-store quantitative studies with customers. The research showed a positive impact of the degree of use of in-store digital devices on consumer experience and behavior. The moderating effect of the optimal level of stimulation was validated; that of the need to touch was partially so.

The influence of store digitization on the lived experience and the customer behavior

In this thesis we study the impact of the shopping experience on consumer behavior in a physical store context offering digital devices to its customers. We also test the moderating role of the individual variables which are the Need for Touch and Optimal Level of Stimulation. After carrying out a review of the literature on our key concepts, we conducted three successive studies: a qualitative study with managers, then two quantitative studies conducted in store with customers. Research has shown a positive impact of the degree of use of in-store digital devices on consumer experience and behavior. The moderating effect of the optimal level of stimulation has been validated; that of the need for touch has been partially.

Date: March 20, 2020 - 2pm

Thesis supervisor: Géraldine MICHEL

Jury members:

• Mme Géraldine MICHEL, Professeur des Universités, IAE Paris-Sorbonne, Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne Thesis Director
• Mrs Laure AMBROISE, Professor, Lyon 2 University, Rapporteur
• Mr Pierre VALETTE-FLORENCE, Professor, Grenoble IAE - Université Grenoble Alpes, Rapporteur
• Mr. Jean-Pierre HELFER, Professor, IAE Paris-Sorbonne, Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, Suffragant
• Mrs Isabelle COLLIN LACHAUD, Professor, University of Lille,, Suffragante
• Mr Chang NGUYEN, Professeur, Centre Franco-Vietnamien de formation à la Gestion (CFVG) Suffragant

Summary

Nowadays, the increasingly fierce competition between higher education institutions highlights the crucial role of branding in gaining a competitive edge. Indeed, a strong brand helps attract new students and acquire a solid alumni base. How do you develop strong brands that create strong relationships in the higher education sector? Consumer-brand relationships are well studied in the context of products, but little research has focused on the relational phenomenon that exists between students/graduates and the school/university brand. In this context, this thesis aims to better understand the construction and maintenance of strong relationships between students/graduates and their schools/universities. To this end, this thesis is based on three empirical studies: (1) a netnographic study of two institutions in France (IAE Paris) and Vietnam (CFVG) over a three-month period, (2) a qualitative study of 30 students and graduates from 7 schools or universities, and (3) a quantitative study of 400 students/graduates from several schools/universities.

The results of this doctoral work enrich three major currents in the literature: (1) consumer-brand relations, (2) brand co-creation and (3) brand management in higher education. Firstly, this research identifies reciprocal identity creation as a new dimension of the brand relationship. Secondly, this research explains the process of reciprocal identity creation by highlighting the interactions between three entities: brand, brand community and individual. The identities of the individual, the brand and the community are mutually nourished and integrated, giving rise to specific relationships compared with those already identified in the literature. Finally, this study shows that the process of reciprocal identity creation occurs when the values of the individual and the brand are initially close, and when the alumni community is consistent with the values of the school/university. Reciprocal identity creation between the individual and the brand then generates positive behaviors from individuals towards the school/university such as: brand advocacy, communication support, brand affiliation and investment in brand enhancement. In conclusion, this research provides an in-depth understanding of this relationship between a brand and students/graduates, and identifies new paradigms of reciprocal identity creation.

Brand Relationship in the Higher Education Context and the Role of the Reciprocal Identity Co-creation

Nowadays, increasingly fierce competition among higher education institutions highlights the crucial role of branding in gaining differentiated advantages. In effect, a strong brand can attract new students and acquire a solid base of alumni. How to develop strong brands that create strong relationships in the higher education sector? Consumer-brand relationships has been well investigated in the context of products, but little research has focused on the relationship between students / graduates and the brand of school / university. In this context, this thesis aims to better understand the construction and maintenance of strong relationships between students / graduates and their schools / universities.
With those objectives, this thesis is written based on three empirical studies: (1) a netnographic study at two French institutions (IAE Paris) and Vietnamese (CFVG) over a period of three months, (2) a qualitative study of 30 students and graduates from 7 schools or universities and (3) a quantitative study of 400 students / graduates from several schools / universities.
The results of this doctoral study enrich three major literature frameworks: (1) consumer-brand relationship; (2) brand cocreation and (3) brand management in higher education. At first, this research identified reciprocal identity co-creation as a new dimension of the brand relationship. Secondly, this research explains the reciprocal identity co-creation process by highlighting the interactions among three entities: brand, brand community and individual. The identities of the individual, the brand, and the brand community mutually nurture and integrate, which give rise to specific relationships aspects in relation to the relationships already identified in the current literature. Finally, this study shows that the process of reciprocal identity creation occurs when the values of the individual and the brand are initially close and when the values of brand community is coherent with the values offered by the school / university. The reciprocal identity co-creation between the individual and the brand then generates positive behaviors of individuals towards the brand of school/university such as: brand defense, communication support, brand affiliation and an investment to improve the brand.
In conclusion, this research provides an in-depth understanding of the relationship between a higher education brand and students / graduates, which implies new paradigms of reciprocal identity creation.

Date: March 09, 2020 - 2:30 pm

Thesis supervisor: Patrick GILBERT

Jury members:

• Mr Patrick GILBERT, Professor, IAE Paris-Sorbonne, Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, Thesis Director
• Mr Benoît GRASSER, Professor, Université de Lorraine, Cerefige, IAE Nancy, Rapporteur
• Mr Damien MOUREY, Professor, École normale supérieure Paris-Saclay, Rapporteur
• Mr Jean-Claude MOISDON, Professor Emeritus, Mimes-Paritesch, Suffragant
• Mr Gérald NARO, Professor, Montpellier Management, Université de Montpellier, Suffragant
• Mr Olivier SAULPIC, Professor, ESCP Business School, Suffragant

Summary

Why do steering systems arouse so little curiosity among organizational practitioners? Why does management science struggle so much to grasp these major objects of collective action? These enduring questions from a reflexive practitioner form the basis of the present ethnographic case study of a large public company's bus operations center, controlled by results.
The research starts from a "fact", a "fact", a "fact", a "fact", a "fact", a "fact", a "fact", a "fact", a "fact", a "fact", a "fact". The research starts from a "surprising fact": the local steering of the service reveals efficiency, but also strong equivocations in the definition of performance and a reduction in the autonomy of actors in a measurement system suffering from obesity, while the context seems conducive to the mode of control installed. In other words, results-based control of a responsibility center fails to live up to its essential promises, and tends to slide towards direct control, despite favorable circumstances.
The main thrust of the thesis is to examine the role of performance-based control in the company's development. The main thrust of the thesis is that, over and above formal choices of control methods, the phenomena observed can be explained by the fact that the steering system is embedded in the "finalistic paradigm" of activity, which subordinates the how of action to its why, and that this embeddedness is an implicit representation of management control. Based on observations of local steering meetings, management documentation and historical data, the reading of the empirical framework articulates three strands: a description of structural elements, a narrative of operational elements and an understanding of the performance model. The combination of Lorino's model of interpretive steering and the philosopher Simondon's ontology, around the concepts of concretization and transindividuation, enables us to argue the main point, on the one hand, and to envisage the conceptualization of non-finalist steering systems, allowing for the empowerment of actors in embedded territories, beyond transactional logic, on the other.

.

What exactly is results control of a local unity? Towards a non finalistic conceptualization of performance management systems

Why do practitioners pay so little attention to performance management systems? Why do management studies face so many difficulties in their apprehension of these major aspects of collective action? These are the founding questions of a reflexive practitioner involved in an ethnographic case study within a public transport hub undergoing results control.
The enquiry starts with a "surprising fact": the local performance management proves to be efficient but also ambiguous in terms of the way performance is defined, and tends to reduce human actors' autonomy within an overloaded measurement system while, at the same time, the context seems supportive of the implemented mode of control. In other words, despite favorable circumstances the outcome-oriented monitoring of a responsibility center fundamentally brakes promises as it drifts towards direct control of behaviour.
The main idea of the dissertation is that beyond the way modes of control are formally chosen, it is the "finalistic paradigm" of the performance management system that sheds light on the phenomena under way. The latter privileges the why over the how action takes place, which is an implicit representation of the management control. Based on observations of local steering meetings, on management documentation and historical information, the interpretation of the empirical data rests on three components: a description of structural elements, a storytelling of operational elements, and an understanding of the performance model. The central argument is based on the lorinien model of interpretative monitoring on the one hand, and on the simondonian ontology through concepts such as concretization and transindividuation, on the other. This background makes it possible to conceptualize the non finalistic performance management systems, opening up the actors' empowerment within embedded territories, beyond the transactional logic.

Date: January 30, 2020 - 2pm

Thesis supervisor: Stéphane SAUSSIER
Co-director: Simon PORCHER

Jury members:

• Mr. Stéphane SAUSSIER, Professeur des Universités, IAE Paris-Sorbonne, Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, Thesis Director
• Mr. Simon PORCHER, Maitre de Conférences HDR, IAE Paris-Sorbonne, Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, Co-Dissertation Director
• Mrs Johanna HABIB, Professor, Université Aix-Marseille, Rapporteur
• Mrs Madina RIVAL, Professor, CNAM, Rapporteur
• Mrs Véronique DULERMEZ, Legal Director, VINCI Energies France, Suffragante
• Mrs Carine STAROPOLI, Maitre de Conférences HDR, IAE de Paris, Université Paris I Panthéon Sorbonne, Suffragante

Summary

The aim of this thesis is to refine our understanding of the mechanisms of organizational transformation associated with regulatory shocks. Specifically, the aim is to take advantage of a fluctuating regulatory framework, put in place to foster the emergence of smart cities, to determine the stages and associated brakes on organizational transformation. This thesis is based on a double logic. It focuses on analyzing the different phases of the organizational transformation process, and on the different players involved in the "smart" evolution of cities.
The first chapter looks at the current state of the art in the field of smart cities. The first chapter focuses on the administrative body of public actors, and studies the process of transformation and integration of new practices. We highlight the existence of so-called "vicious" factors that can limit a public actor's capacity for transformation.
The second chapter focuses on the administrative organ of public actors. The second chapter focuses on the political organ of public actors, and assesses the weight of non-institutional factors on the decision-making process. We show that these factors, far from being neutral, influence the net result of the transformation.
Finally, the third and last chapter focuses on the political organ of public actors. Finally, the third and last chapter focuses on private players, and in particular on the organizational learning processes put in place to meet the challenges of smart cities and the transformation of their customers.

Regulatory developments and stakeholder logic; Smart cities's institutionalization

This dissertation offers an empirical investigation to refine our understanding of organisational transformation in response to regulatory shocks. We have a new regulatory context that is implementing the emergence of smart cities. We are taking advantage from this context to determine the stages and associated obstacles to the transformation of organizations. This dissertation is based on a double logic. First, by analysing the different phases of the organisational transformation process and then by focusing on the different actors involved in the "smart" revolution of cities.
The first chapter focuses on the administrative part of public actors and studies, particularly in the innovation process. We highlight the existence of "vicious" factors that can limit a public actor's capacity for transformation.
The second chapter concentrates on the political part of public actors and assesses the weight of non-institutional factors in the decision-making process. We show that non-institutional factors are far from neutral and influence the net result of transformation.
Finally, the third and final chapter focuses on private actors, specifically in the organizational learning processes to answer the challenges of smart cities.