Abstract

The rapid economic and social development undergone by Algerian society has had some profound effects on social structure, social practices and representations both at individual and collective levels. The process of industrialisation and rapid urban growth contributed to the rise of new social groups and elites. Executives working in major industrial companies emerged as new elite that have the prospects of being a key player in shaping the future of society. This paper, based on field work carried in the largest steel plant in the country, attempts to shed some light on this emerging social elite. The aim is to elicit various forms of representations held by this group constituting social and professional identity, representations of their role and those of the work place, as well as unveiling their strategies as major social actors. The research shows that managers tended to stress technical, organizational and economic factors shaping their identity. Divergent and ambivalent views were expressed regarding their role and strategy. This reflected contradictory tendencies, divisions and conflicting interests both within the group and between mangers and other groups in society.