ABSTRACT
The Parisian Clerical Agency is the Parisian branch of a large public agency, part of a government department. This chapter describes the different systems of interpersonal and intergroup relationships that form more complex institutional and sociological settings within the organization, and condition its efficiency and the importance of its bureaucratic features. It discusses the problem which much always be investigated initially in the domain, i.e., the problem of work satisfaction. Work satisfaction is a simple and relatively clear concept, through which the individual can express well the way in which he is adjusting to his task and thus to his role within the organization. There is a heavy emphasis on productivity, but productivity tends to decrease because of the large percentage of young and ill-trained employees, and because of the poor working climate and the high rate of turnover. The decisive influence of social status in the employees' attitudes toward work, seems to show by far the most unexpected aspects.
