Thesis defense by Tiffany Matias

The new spirit of the SNCF
Digital transformation as a way of moving beyond the neo-managerial shift in public enterprises

The defense will take placeon Thursday, September 7, at 2 p.m. at the Faculty of Law and Political Science of the University of Montpellier ( Salle des Actes, building 1). It will be followed by a reception to which you are also warmly invited.

The jury is composed of:

Jean-Yves DORMAGEN, Professor, University of Montpellier (thesis supervisor)

Laura MICHEL, Associate Professor, University of Montpellier (co-supervisor)

Clément MABI, Associate Professor, Compiègne University of Technology

Guillaume MARREL, Professor, University of Avignon

Magali NONJON, Associate Professor, Sciences Po Aix

Éric SAVARESE, Professor, University of Montpellier

Nadège VEZINAT, Professor, Paris 8 University

Thesis summary: 

This thesis examines the significance of digital transformation within the SNCF and its link to previous neo-managerial reform initiatives. It is structured in three parts, aiming to understand the project centered around the concept of digital transformation, to conduct a sociological analysis of the actors involved, and to identify the strategies and mechanisms they use to impose their agenda within the organization. With regard to the project, the results highlight that behind the concept of digital transformation, the "modernization" project largely consists of spreading a new spirit, which takes the giants of the digital economy as its reference model. The project therefore goes beyond the SNCF's neo-managerial shift, promoting a movement of neo-commodification and neo-rationalization that is part of the broader trend of post-new public management. With regard to the actors involved, the results show that this project is being driven by employees who are distant from the history and destiny of the organization and who are supportive of the SNCF's new financial performance objectives. They are therefore contributing even more to making digitalization a factor in the reform. However, these actors are embroiled in professional and organizational struggles, which limits their capacity for action. To compensate for this, they seek to enlist all of the organization's employees in their project, making extensive use of mechanisms designed to spread this new spirit throughout the organization.

 
For logistical reasons, please let me know by email if you wish to attend the defense.