European construction and globalisation now lead French public companies to adapt to the market, gradually move from monopoly to competition and, for some, become globalised groups. What are the strategies for modernising these companies? What is the extent of their successes and difficulties. Which actors are involved? This book seeks to answer these questions by mobilising the results of a series of research carried out in France Télécom, La Poste, EDF, RATP and SNCF over a decade. Based on a sociology approach of organisations and analysis of industrial relations, three key dimensions of change are analysed: changes in work, relations between directorates, trade unions and staff, and forms of management. How have the forms of work changed? How to move from technical and enforcement management to market management? What are the resources to change these companies? What policies are being pursued to transform social pacts? What are the exchange systems that these companies build with their staff? This book thus examines the contradictions arising from the French choices between the “tout public” and the “tout marché”. The challenges faced by these companies shed light on the difficulties facing France, seeking a third route in the face of globalisation.