Training and capabilities in French firms

Purpose - The purpose of this tri‐sectoral comparative study is to analyze the scope and content of vocational training policies, and their practical implications and outcomes for employers and employees at three French‐based companies, one in the pharmaceutical sector, the second in the consultancy and information technology sector, and the third in the automobile industry. Design/methodology/approach - The paper is a qualitative study and relies on a cross‐fertilization of methods valorizing the triangulation approach: in‐depth informal interviews with different categories of personnel, participant and non‐participant observation, and documentary investigation. Findings - Our results show that though the three companies investigated rank as training friendly organizations both in terms of the level of financial investments and training densities, these statistical regularities mask significant qualitative differences. The focus, goals, opportunities and outcomes of training policies at the three firms share few common attributes. The paper goes on to propose a typology identifying three types of training organisations: skill up‐dating, learning, and capability enhancing. Originality/value - The paper demonstrates that product specificities and the technology associated with it matter less than the system of work organisation and the mode of management in determining the scope and content of training programmes as well as their outcomes in matters of professional development. Whereas researchers have invariably monopolized the term of learning organizations to designate service‐sector corporations, staffed by highly skilled workforces, operating at the core of the knowledge economy, our findings shows that even neo‐taylorist industrial firms can justifiably qualify to be learning organizations. Finally, the paper proposes a comprehensive analytical grid to facilitate further qualitative research in the field of vocational training.