CIGARE,ERNEST LIE - ABOUT IDENTITY AT WOR K - EPISTEMOLOGICAL AND METHODOLOGICAL PROBLEMS REGARDING IDENTITY

This comparison of two methods of gathering data - semidirective inter views and direct observation - reveals contradictions about the sense of identity at work in the interviewed person. Whereas the interviewee 's discourse seems relatively coherent, his actual practices are diver se and paradoxical. Given this observation, made while examining a pre cise case (a Social Security employee), the author discusses the notio n of identity that labor sociology has worked out. He concludes that, besides strategic relationships, relations based on know-how are impor tant in the definition and recognition of this identity.