Face à la dispersion géographique de leurs activités, les firmes multinationales (FMN) sont amenées à gérer des relations intra- et inter-organisationnelles de plus en plus complexes. Cette recherche doctorale porte sur la coordination de ces relations dans le contexte de l’usine mondiale (global factory), qui constitue une forme particulière de l’entreprise-réseau. Elle s’appuie sur une recherche-action menée auprès de l’entreprise Renault Trucks (groupe Volvo). L’étude empirique est fondée sur 63 entretiens, des groupes de discussion interactifs et l’organisation de deux workshops, complétés par des données secondaires. Les résultats obtenus mettent en avant le rôle prépondérant de la firme-pivot dans le pilotage des relations avec les partenaires internationaux. Selon la configuration du partenaire (niveau d’autonomie opérationnelle et fréquence de la transaction), il est recommandé de choisir des mécanismes de coordination spécifiques. Un jeu de 21 propositions vise à améliorer notre compréhension de l’usine mondiale en termes d’agencement et de fonctionnement interne. Enfin, un design organisationnel de l’usine mondiale est développé. / Facing the geographic dispersion of their activities, multinational companies (MNCs) are involved in the management of increasingly complex intra- and inter-organizational relationships. This doctoral research focuses on the coordination of these relationships in the context of the global factory, which represents a particular form of the network-firm. It is based on an action research project conducted at Renault Trucks (Volvo Group). The empirical study covers 63 interviews, interactive panels and the organization of two workshops, completed by secondary data. The results highlight the important role played by the lead firm for the management of relationships with international partners. Depending on the configuration of the partner (level of operational autonomy and frequency of the transaction), it is recommended to choose specific coordination mechanisms. A set of 21 proposals intends to improve our understanding of the global factory in terms of configuration and internal operations. Finally, an organizational design of the global factory is developed.

This thesis presents the main results of a five-month ethnographic research project in a global factory in the Czech Republic. It is focused on three topics. Due to a number of ethical dilemmas that accompanied the research, the first part examines ethics in anthropology, both the instruments of the institutionalization of professional ethics and "ethics in practice". As a strategy for dealing with ethical dilemmas the thesis aims at a reflexive approach, as proposed by Guillemin and Gillam (2004) not only to ensure rigor in research methodology, but also as a form of "morally adequate research work". The second research focus is the production line. The line makes sense - that is, produces stuff - only when people and machines interconnect. Symmetrical analysis juxtaposes humans and machines and explores the dynamics of agency as it shifts the borders between people and machines and the characteristics that each takes from the other. The last part of the thesis presents the factory as an actor in the labor market. Through the analysis of economic and organizational factors as well as workers" stories and interpretations and regional authorities" accounts, the final part tries to explain the perception of the factory as a stable and relatively solid employer. Keywords: global factory, ethics,...