The conditions for implementing the principle of subsidiarity to organize autonomy at work: Reflections on the liberated enterprise[Les conditions de mise en oeuvre du principe de subsidiarité pour organiser l'autonomie au travail : réflexion autour de l'entreprise libérée]

Organizations challenging hierarchical models, such as liberated companies, raise the question of how to coordinate the autonomy granted to employees, to enable collective action. The application of the principle of subsidiarity provides avenues for reflection. This article analyzes the conditions for implementing the principle of subsidiarity to organize autonomy at work. An intervention-research in a soap factory that subscribes to the philosophy of liberated companies shows that the liberated approach and the resulting autonomy generate certain difficulties (coordination and prioritization problems, decision-making problems, a perception of lack of support), which echo the concept of subsidiarity. These results lead to a discussion on the conditions for subsidiary management that facilitates decision-making, acknowledges the right to make mistakes and the right to incompetence, and considers and organizes support within the organization.