In France, more than half of direct payroll employment in industrial enterprises is devoted to service functions: commercial and administrative services, installation-maintenance, quality control, logistics and industrial research and development (R&D). The proportion increases with the size of the enterprise, especially for R&D and quality control. Computer services, transportation and services related to premises (especially cleaning and security) are most often outsourced.

Industrial R&D is concentrated in a small number of enterprises, while administrative and commercial functions are for the most part more scattered. R&D, computer technology services and services related to premises are grouped together in a small number of establishments. R&D is more often located at the heart of industrial establishments than commercial services or even logistics.