Projet de recherche en cours

1. How New Organizational Forms Emerge? The Organizational Ecology of the Space Industry (Submitted), with Jean-Frédéric Morin

Abstract Outer space, a domain once governed by a handful of governmental agencies, is now increasingly populated by private space organizations (PSOs). PSOs launch rockets, operate satellites, and even take tourists on space expeditions. Few studies have investigated the factors behind the emergence of PSOs. This paper builds on the theory of organizational ecology to explain the phenomenon. Empirically, it draws from an original dataset of 1539 space organizations and 52 semi-structured interviews. It finds that mutualist relations between PSOs (i.e., commensalism) and between governmental space agencies and PSOs (i.e., symbiosis), have contributed to the development of PSOs. This finding contrasts sharply with the popular idea that PSOs developed as a result of technological innovations and visionary entrepreneurs. It also contrasts with the idea that dynamic PSOs are outcompeting a sclerosed public sector. PSOs have not superseded governmental space agencies. They are nurtured by and develop with them. This paper contributes to the literature on organizational ecology, by linking environmental constraints to mutualist strategies. It also contributes to the literature on interactions between public and private sectors, by showing how private businesses can emerge from the public sector.

2. Cross-network Weaponization in the Semiconductor Supply-Chain (R&R), with Madison Cartwright

Abstract How do states’ positions across multiple and interconnected economic networks affect their power? The Weaponized Interdependence (WI) scholarship emphasizes that states centrally located in global economic networks have access to new sources of coercion. In this paper, we look at how their positions across multiple networks interact with each other to create new opportunities and vulnerabilities. We use network methodology to map the semiconductor supply chain and showcase that it can be viewed as four interrelated networks: (1) design, (2) raw material, (3) manufacturing equipment, and (4) assembled chips. We then highlight how states’ centrality varies across these networks and how it shapes their respective opportunities for coercion. Looking specifically at the United States, we emphasize how its centrality in the design network enables it to weaponize chokepoints in the trade network of assembled chips. In so doing the paper makes three contributions. First, it demonstrates how network analysis can detect potential (ab)uses of WI. Second, the paper highlights how interactions among multiple economic networks affect the ability of states to weaponize economic. Last, it contributes to recent attempts using network analysis to analyze structural power on the global stage.

3. Business power and public policy: Privatizing the public interest (Submitted), with Abraham Newman

Abstract Business decisions on issues ranging from content moderation to data protection rights define when and how important social values like free speech and privacy rights are protected. This article examines when and how firms regulate public goods in a digital economy. In contrast to functionalist explanation of private authority, we build an analytical framework based on business power and information assets. Drawing on the concept of infrastructural power and socio-technical studies, we first emphasize how companies centrally located in digital infrastructures can embed their policy preferences in technical artefacts and regulate other users’ behavior. We then argue that firms benefitting from significant information assets and network effects use the public interest to legitimize closing off their infrastructure and extract economic rents. We probe our argument looking at the do not track (DNT) policy implemented by Apple. Our findings contribute to explain the growing role played by digital companies in global regulatory debates and call attention to the role of business power.

4. Hybrid Organizations and Complex Systems: The Case of the European Space Agency (submitted), with Jean-Frédéric Morin and Cynthia Couettet

Abstract Governance systems tend to grow in complexity as their elements proliferate and specialize over time. In parallel, a tendency toward homophily favors the creation of clusters of homogenous organizations. Yet, few systems drift to the point of disconnection or dismemberment.  Several systems remain sufficiently integrated to allow some level of adaptation, even in the absence of hierarchical authority. To maintain an equilibrium between order and chaos, some organizations need to perform bridging work. This paper argues that hybrid organizations are well positioned to perform such task. By their nature, hybrid organizations share characteristics with different types of organizations populating a global governance system, which allow them to bridge different clusters. This structural position facilitates the performance of bridging work. This argument is illustrated by studying the space governance system and the hybrid nature, betweenness position, and bridging operations of the European Space Agency.

5. The Digital Sovereignty Trilemma, with Lars Gjesvik

Abstract From authoritarian to democratic countries, various jurisdictions increasingly aim to (re)assert their sovereignty in our digital era. Their approach to achieving this yet tends to vary in which actors’ autonomy they promote: (1) individual users, (2) firms, or (3) states. Building on Rodrik’s globalization trilemma, we argue that individual jurisdictions’ choice depends on how they attempt to resolve inherent tensions associated with governing a digital economy. When devising new digital policies, they can more precisely only achieve two out of the three following objectives: promote their regulatory preferences, develop their national industry, and support an open ecosystem. We probe our argument by looking at the evolving digital policy agendas in the European Union, the United States, and China. Our research contributes to the growing literature on digital sovereignty by highlighting how it acts as a structural constraint on the development of digital policies. As such, it brings nuance to longstanding debates over states eroding authority in a global and digital economy. Finally, it helps go further than dichotomous arguments opposing democracies as promoting an open digital ecosystem and autocracies preferring a closed one, emphasizing instead how different forms of digital sovereignty will favor the realization of contrasting policy objectives. 

6. Running out the clock: The politics of veto point in time, with Jonas Heering and Abraham Newma

Abstract To be added