Histoire « à la Chandler » et évolutionnisme. Trajectoires et avantages compétitifs de trois leaders de l'aéronautique

The aim of this paper is to strenghen the evolutionary theory by using a historical approach. We shall study the technological, organisational and human trajectories of three enterprises with common roots, as well as the organisational capacities of the company founded in the 50?s by Max Holste. In fact, each of these three firms ? Embraer, which is the third aeronautic group in the world, ATR, and Reims Aviation Industrie ? have become leaders on different niches. They have built their success from the original technical and marketing paradigm which enabled the foundation of Max Holste?s firm. The crisis that the latter was faced with has led to the birth of these new firms, which, later, had to make new strategic choices.