Simon Cottin-Marx: Professionalisation as a means of ‘commodification’ (and vice versa). When the state supports employers’ associations

In this thesis, we examine the relationship between voluntary organisations and public authorities through the lens of the Local Support Scheme (DLA).

In the first part of this thesis, we examine the origins and structure of the DLA. We observe that the DLA is a public employment policy, the implementation of which is delegated to implementing bodies, and that its aim is to help employers’ associations secure their jobs and consolidate their business model. An examination of the origins of this public policy reveals the State’s growing interest in the economic aspects of associations and the number of jobs they provide. In the second part, we focus on those who implement it: the practitioners of this public policy. Whilst the scheme is structured and framed, the role of DLA project officers is nevertheless ‘open’; they have considerable leeway in carrying out their work. However, despite this flexibility, they share a concern for employment, and the work to promote employment is being done. This analysis leads us to suggest that the scheme under study constitutes a form of governance through support. Finally, in the third part, we describe the scheme’s impact on its beneficiaries as ‘contemporary professionalisation’. ‘Associative enterprises’ are encouraged to structure their work organisation, to diversify their resources, but also to take action to safeguard their jobs. The DLA also plays a part in establishing management systems within associations that employ staff: these are strategically adopted by both association leaders and public authorities. Finally, the study of relations between associations and public authorities shows that the latter are fragmented, creating an uncertain and competitive environment for associations.

The trends we have observed offer insights that go beyond the effects of the DLA; indeed, the scheme merely accelerates a process that is already underway. Ultimately, the changes taking place within the voluntary sector appear to be the result of shifts in the environment in which these organisations operate, which is itself largely shaped by the public authorities.

Members of the jury

• Philippe Bezes, CNRS Research Director, Centre for European Studies at Sciences Po
• Valérie Boussard, Professor, University of Paris-Ouest-Nanterre-La-Défense
• Bernard Gomel, CNRS Research Fellow, Centre for Employment Studies
• Matthieu Hély, Professor, University of Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines
• Gilles Jeannot, Research Fellow at HRD, LATTS, École nationale des Ponts et Chaussées
• Maud Simonet, CNRS Research Fellow, IDHES, University of Paris-Ouest-Nanterre-La-Défense