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THE CHANGING ROLE OF ACADEMIC CAPITAL IN THE FRENCH SOCIETAL MODEL OF COMPUTER ACCESS AT WORK 'Massification'? or 'democratization'? of access The use of data processing at work is a cultural practice which has to be put into the perspective of a logic of written communication. In France an increasing effect of selection related to academic capital was witnessed between 1987 and 1998. This indicates that the French model of diffusion of computerization, which combines general school level and professional situation, perpetuates itself in a context of integration of training in computer use during schooling. It appears that this perpetuation is also related to the renewal of generations of workers in so far as academic level is especially relevant as a criterion of selection at the time of entry into employment.