Taking automobile industry as a case study, Durand (sociology) and Natzfeld (history, both U. of Paris-Evry) attribute the enduring success of the assembly line to a combination of rigidity in the technology and process, and flexibility in the complex of social networks that surround the line. The original title, Chaine et le reseau, invokes the oak and reed of la Fontaine's fable; no information is provided about a French publication or translator Daffyd Roberts. Annotation ©2003 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR
More Reviews and RecommendationsJean-Pierre Durand is Professor of Sociology, and Chairman of the Centre de Recherches Pierre Naville, New University of Paris-Evry.
Nicolas Hatzfeld is a labor historian and worked on the Peugeot line for two years .