Some Remarks

1. Industrial models. The general theme of industrial models turned out to be a very fertile one from a double standpoint. First of all, it offered the possibility to evaluate and question both the impact as well as the coherence of numerous evolutions occurring within the automobile industry today. Secondly, it demonstrated its capacity to link in a constructive manner the variety of research perspectives coming from different disciplines. In particular, progress has been noted in the enlargement of the research field to general industrial organizational problems from much more localized starting points, more notably centered on the workshop.

2. Chosen trajectories. What is underlined is the dynamics of change more than the very difficult a priori identification of one or several budding models. This has allowed for a certain number of obstacles to be avoided, especially those encountered in the beginning during attempts to characterize models through a finite assembly of fixed characteristics.

This evolutionary approach, apart from its adaptation to the present period, does not exclude a posteriori syntheses and does not prevent one from coming to conclusions. It offers the advantage of drawing one's attention to conditions for success, factors contributing to structural inertia, abrupt changes (even catastrophes...), as well as to the role played by social and institutional contexts in the processes of change. Thus, it usefully distinguishes itself from erroneous however frequent beliefs in the field of management, by offering unique organizational solutions which will eventually impose themselves.

3. Carrying out research. The global organization of the program with, in particular, the creation of four sub-groups (firm trajectories, productive organization, worker/salary relations) contributed in a positive way to integrate researchers in function of their primary interests and analysis methods. An important effort in circulating information and establishing contacts was accomplished by the "Acts"," the Newsletter", the directory, workdays, encounters, and international meetings by groups. In general, material work conditions were of a very high quality as well as the excellent atmosphere they evolved in.

4. Some limits, however. The very open and attractive nature of the program led to a great success in assembling researchers, especially during international encounters. This is a positive element unto itself, however it also led to a wider dispersal of researchers. The objective, of course, was not to concur unanimously, nevertheless, the problematic of certain contributions were not always easily inserted into the general perspective. The degree of implication in the program on the part of different researchers was varied, and this had a negative impact in some of the discussions. This heterogeneity, not only of results but also of questions, will undoubtedly be apparent in final contributions. This is probably the normal counterpart for a research program which voluntarily privileged openness, therefore one must avoid over-dramatizing these limits.

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