Thus overall we know what is the CAC 40

Little informed, indifferent or downright ignorant The French would they disconnected from the realities of business and the economy As they ignore the basic mechanisms and key figures One is tempted to assume, on the face of a recent survey published today by the Fnege (National Foundation for the teaching of business management). It asked a thousand French 27 "closed questions" on their knowledge of the company and its environment. Verdict: 5.9 on 20 This is the average rating calculated by the authors of the study. People only reach the average. Brilliant step...

In fact, answers demonstrate a startling ignorance. Thus, 32 of the members of the sample blithely confuse sales with profits; 52 do not know that Areva operates in nuclear power; 11 believe that VAT is shared between the State and enterprises; 26 believe that the dividend is the added value of assignment of an action, and 7 the value of the action... Europe, it remains misunderstood: respondents are unaware of the benefits of the euro for companies and underestimate the place of Europe in French exports. Difficult in these conditions, to build an idea a bit based on the functioning of the economy or the broad guidelines of the business. According to the authors of the survey, several factors influence the General level of knowledge. The degree, of course, but also the level of income or socio-professional category. More surprising: men are better informed than women. One of these 5 gets less than 3 out of 20, against 10 of men. "Women are perhaps less interested than men by economic developments in General, and topics such as sustainable development or health issues more," says Jean-Pierre Boisivon, Adviser to the President of the Fnege.

Enough reliable concepts

However, the study does not show significant differences between the generations even if the 35-49 years displayed a little better results than other age groups or between regions. Same for the different types of Bachelor's degree obtained: thus, Bachelor in economics are barely better than others.

But if the glass is more than half empty, seen also in part completed. On some points, in fact, the French have enough reliable concepts. This is the case when a topic touch really, in their everyday life or in their profession. Thus, they know the rate of VAT (84 of correct answers) or the sector of goods and services; they do not misunderstand the activity of Alcatel-Lucent or AXA, which they direct clients. the Committee is rather well identified, and the terms of merger of two companies. "Unquestionably, there is a knowledge base, even if uncertainties and approximations are abundant", notes Pierre-Louis Dubois Delegate General of the Fnege.

Responses are also quite correct when information has been widely treated by the press, radio and television. Thus, overall, we know what is the CAC 40. The media therefore play an important educational role.

In short, must qualify the statement. As many of questions, simple in appearance, can lead to answers that are less. Example: when asked how companies form their price, 10 of people indicate that it is "in concert with their competitors". False, of course... Except that, in practice, illegal agreements and cartels have hard life, as shown, until recently, the fines imposed by the European competition authorities. Add that, in some cases, the answer is not so obvious, even to persons assumed to be well informed.

Negative view of the company

But the main problem that revealed the study elsewhere. "In reality, it attends a flagrant drift," said Jean-Pierre Boisivon." Most incorrect answers converge in a same direction: to a frightened vision or negative of the company. "So respondents tend to reduce salary costs for businesses, like their payroll. And in contrast to "inflate" the proportion of precarious jobs: a French three estimated between 20 and 30 the proportion of CSD in contracts of employment (less than 10, in fact). Similarly, if we know quite well the rate of VAT, corporate tax is almost ignored. The amount of dividends received by shareholders, it significantly overestimated. "In caricaturing, leads to a vision that employees are reduced to the minimum portion, while shareholders gobergent." Of course, people are, more often, honest intellectually. But they are ill-informed. "And this is that, often, they build their system of representation of economic life," said Jean-Pierre Boisivon. There is a position, it is true, often defended with employers.

This information gap, the Fnege wishes correction first on training: "it is the school that many plays, said Pierre-Louis Dubois.". "At each school level, it is possible to offer training to the company adapted in an attractive and playful form". Jean-Pierre Boisivon, for his part, identifies two main levels of intervention: "In 4th and 3rd class, should focus on the direct and regular contact with the company." Then, from the second, should be given more space to the basics on the company, in a compulsory economic education.

The Fnege is also poised to achieve a "life-size" test at the IUFM of Créteil, with 20 professors from all disciplines, with a 18-hour module dedicated to the company. Program, courses, but also of the visits on the ground, meetings with patterns... The Fnege is also considering to act in the direction of the general public. A kind lexicon database, accessible to all and widely distributed, could see the day. And study questionnaire will be made available on its Web site as a test ().

"It is urgent to correct this erroneous view that have too many French, find Jean-Pierre Boisivon.". It must reconcile our fellow citizens with the company. Them to see the positive aspects as weaknesses. It is a vast construction site. But it is a major challenge for our society, because the economy and the company are now in the heart of political debate.