Silicon Azur

Article Abstract:

DEC, Dow Chemical, and Rockwell International are just three of the 763 firms which are part of the Sophia Antipolis science park situated in the French Rivera, one half hour from Nice. Sophia, a 2,300 hectare site, opened in 1970 and is now almost 90% full. It is estimated that firms located in Sophia have established 12,500 jobs and have created 10,000 related jobs in Nice. Firms are attracted to the site because of fine living, low costs, and a labor pool of skilled workers. However, because growth within the Sophia science park has been so swift, some tenants complain that the infrastructure and local services have not be upgraded enough. Chief amongst their complaints are traffic jams, inadequate schools, and meager post office facilities, all of which are being addressed by park management.

High technology industry, Industrial research, Research parks, Riviera (France)

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France: vive l'Europe

Article Abstract:

France was an early supporter of Internal Market unification, but an analysis of the French business and political communities indicates that France may face serious difficulties in 1992 due to government-directed and protected industries in France. The business community has undergone restructuring to prepare for unification, but the country faces problems with non-focused unions and hidden trade barriers. Additionally, increased competition will affect industries such as financial services, automobiles, and microcomputers. These industries are threatened by the increasing possibility of cross-border mergers and acquisitions. However, some industries, aviation, steel and electrical equipment in particular, have recently experienced a resurgence.

Management, Single European market

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'Liberalism' seems here to stay in France

Article Abstract:

The Oct 1987 crash in world financial markets affected France's movement toward a free and unregulated economy and 'liberalism', but did not stop it altogether. The government of conservative Prime Minister Jacques Chirac did have to halt its effort to sell 65 nationalized French firms back to private sector investors, however. Analysts suggest that long-term French social changes are behind the move toward economic liberalism, and that the movement does not depend on the success of US President Ronald Reagan, whose opposition to government economic intervention inspired some French deregulation and privatization efforts.

Economic policy, Deregulation, Liberalism

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