Artikelen

Civilisatie versus cultuur: Bestuur en beheersing in Franse en Duitse bedrijven in civilisatiesociologisch perspectief

Auteurs

  • Iterson,Ad van

Trefwoorden:

corporate governance structures, civilization/culture concepts, France vs Germany

Samenvatting

Norbert Elias's work on the civilizing process (1939) drew the distinction between the French concept of civilization & the German concept of culture as factors contributing to the advancement of society. Both terms convey certain value judgments native to their respective countries. For the French, civilization refers not only to public achievements, but also to the way people behave in private, while for the Germans, culture refers to what people have achieved in the intellectual, artistic, religious, & scientific domains, & is not concerned with private behavior. A review of French & German business theory reveals that this dichotomy was already evident in the 18th century & persists today in both the internal organization of business units & their external dealings with other companies, government agencies, labor unions, & professional associations. Such interactions are largely regulated by nationally specific principles. The French emphasis on civilization in the early modern times helps explain why the principles of hierarchy & honor are still important for them, while Germans prize the exchange of technological expertise among peers. Paradoxically, this could weaken Elias's arguments for convergence. 1 Table, 33 References. Adapted from the source document.

Biografie auteur

Iterson,Ad van

Gepubliceerd

1997-01-01

Nummer

Sectie

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