About the CSO
| The CSO created the French discipline of the sociology of organizations. It is a social sciences laboratory, a place where original ideas are born concerning public/private regulation of market and non-market activities, based on research about organizations, markets, and professional groups. The CSO was founded by Michel Crozier in the early sixties. In 2001, it became a joint program of Sciences Po and the CNRS (National Center for Scientific Research). Christine Musselin succeeded Erhard Friedberg (1993-2007) to become the director of the CSO in February 2007. Initially, the CSO was known for its work on the French state and public administration, but it quickly broadened its research to include the public and private sectors, both domestic and international. The primary focus of the CSO is on the sociology of organizations, which examines agents and their behavior to understand how different forms of cooperation are established. In addition, fields such as economic sociology and the sociology of public actions are also explored. Currently, the CSO organizes its research into five thematic poles which address essential issues such as risk governance, higher education and research policies, healthcare and practices, sustainable development, the evolution of firms, changes in the government... ========) Click here for more information about the CSO’s research poles |
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| Scholarship in step with contemporary social developments The CSO is intimately linked to the social world that surrounds it. Its research poles are driven by intellectual enquiry, but are always expressed in a way that resonates with the surrounding social environment (food security, corporate governance in the context of globalization, corporate social responsibility, university governance, new medical practices…). Research is conducted in partnership with professionals in the field. This creates relationships that both value knowledge and anchor the CSO in the professional world and in diverse knowledge exchange networks. |
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| Research conducted at the CSO is often published in international journals, or translated into foreign languages. Almost all the researchers at the laboratory participate in research networks or groups which bring together teams from a number of countries, even continents, which often lead to visiting professorship positions. CSO researchers are also regularly called upon as experts to advise international organizations (OECD, European Police College (CEPOL), European Union, Council of Europe...). When recruiting doctoral students, post-doctoral students, or permanent members, the CSO places emphasis on attracting international candidates, and, in return, encourages its young PhD’s to apply for positions outside of France. The CSO often hosts researchers and students from all over the world and has solid partnerships with higher education and research institutions in Europe, the United States, Latin America, and Asia. |
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| The CSO combines know-how in empirical studies with cross-cutting theoretical thinking in order to develop and test far-reaching hypotheses. In order to avoid falling into pre-established categories or ways of thinking, CSO research is based on in-depth studies that take time, commitment, and a long-term presence in the field. This research deals with diverse questions and fields: management of organizations, public policy, decision-making, change analysis,… Semi-directed interviews remain one of the primary means of conducting research, but they are increasingly supplemented by other qualitative and quantitative research methods. |
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| Ties between the CSO and the "Sociology of Action" concentration of the Sciences Po doctoral program are numerous: CSO researchers and professors give classes at Sciences Po, students perform team field studies that must be carried out as part of CSO research projects... ========)Click here for more information on the doctoral program at Sciences Po CSO doctoral students are directly involved in research programs at the laboratory and fully integrated into the CSO. ========)Click here for more information about the CSO Doctoral PROGRAM |
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| The CSO frequently answers calls for projects from diverse public and private institutions: the European Union, the French Research Agency (ANR), ministries, local governments, businesses, foundations, associations, etc. These institutions also call on the CSO directly for scientific expertise for research and studies, or to organize events (conferences, meetings…). The contracts or conventions that result from these partnerships (more than twenty currently in place), supplement the regular financial support for the CSO from Sciences Po and the CNRS. These partnerships ease researchers’ and doctoral candidates’ access to the field, while guaranteeing their independence and facilitating cooperative relationships which ensure grounding in the social environment.
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| The Center for the Sociology of Organizations brings together some twenty researchers and professors, of which three are professors emeriti, and some thirty PhD candidates involved in research programs. Some twenty associated researchers collaborate directly on different research projects. In addition, the CSO often employs young PhD’s on “contrats de recherché” (research contracts) for short- or long-term assignments.
The administrative team is divided among secretarial, logistical, communication, and research assistant posts. This team assists researchers with contracts, conferences, travel, research, and promotes their work and activities (through the website, organization of meetings…). Click here for more information about researchers and personnel |