No invitations: The difficulties of climbing the French managerial hierarchy

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dc.contributor.authorConkin, Michael
dc.date.accessioned2024-07-23T22:55:57Z
dc.date.available2024-07-23T22:55:57Z
dc.date.issued2011
dc.description.abstractThe French model of managerial career development relies heavily on, not surprisingly, their elite educational system. What distinguishes France from other countries is that in order to rise to the upper echelon of management in an organization, graduation from one of the grandes écoles is imperative. Grandes écoles are universities that fit a specific set of criteria difficult to achieve, and that are primarily reserved for the lineage of families that have already established their status and wealth in French society. This paper analyzes the current state of the French hierarchical structure as it relates to government and management, and the challenges it poses to managers in the international business environment. While the success of companies like Michelin, L’Oreal, and Carrefour have proven that this system reliably produces high quality executives, it presents significant challenges for members of the international business community hoping to do business with French firms or work within a French company. Through the lens of Hofstede’s cultural framework it was found that the Power Distance, Individualism, and Uncertainty Avoidance cultural dimensions support a hierarchical structure that distributes power at the top and rigidly opposes change from the outside and a strong sentiment that differences can be dangerous. The institution of the grandes écoles, coupled with Hofstede’s cultural dimensions, creates a business environment that is not only difficult to navigate but makes it very difficult for non-grandes écoles executives to advance to higher positions.
dc.description.reviewstatusReviewed
dc.description.scholarlevelUndergraduate
dc.identifier.citationConkin, M. (2011). No invitations: The difficulties of climbing the French managerial hierarchy. Bachelor of Commerce Best Business Research Papers, 4, 6–14.
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/1828/16766
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherBachelor of Commerce Best Business Research Papers
dc.titleNo invitations: The difficulties of climbing the French managerial hierarchy
dc.typeArticle

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Bachelor of Commerce Best Business Research Papers, Vol. 04 (September 2011)
 
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