filière

Filière is a French term used to describe a chain or sequence of activities involved in producing and delivering a product or service, a sector or field of activity, and in education, a pathway or track of study. Etymologically, it derives from the idea of a thread or line connecting steps, and it has come to denote the ordered set of actors and processes that transform inputs into outputs.

In economic and business usage, a filiére encompasses all stages from raw materials to final consumption, including producers, processors, distributors, shippers, retailers, and service providers such as marketing and compliance. The term also conveys governance and interdependencies among participants, including power relations, standards, and coordination mechanisms. Analysts may speak of a value chain or supply chain, of which the filiére is the complete network.

In education, filiére refers to a study track or specialization within a curriculum. In secondary education, students select a filiére générale, technologique, or professionnelle, shaping the subjects pursued and career direction. In higher education, filiére denotes a study stream or program area (for example, informatiques or droit). The concept emphasizes coherence between coursework and professional goals.

Common collocations include filiére agroalimentaire, filiére automobile, and filiére textile, used to discuss industry clusters, policy interventions, and development strategies. Understanding a filiére involves examining the actors, flows, and governance that structure how a product is produced, distributed, and consumed.