Les réseaux d’entreprises locaux : un vecteur d’ empowerment territorial

The main objective of our research is to account the major role of economic networks as empowerment vector for local business leaders in public policy-making and more largely in public decision process. Networks of firms reinforce collective action, including when it influences public decision. In this context, we adopt a comprehensive approach in the sense that our starting point is born with observing interactions between networks and the public sphere in connection with the concept of empowerment. We contribute to a better understanding of the embeddedness of business leaders in social networks. In this respect, local empowerment is defined as a process influencing public action. In terms of results, our work shows the benefit of transferring the concept of empowerment, traditionally applied to social groups such as ethnic or religious minorities, to business clubs. According to individual and collective characteristics, these networks are places for exchanges and actions influencing the local project and contributing to public policy making.