Navarro-Astor, E C V (2012) Architects in Spain: A profession under risk. In: Smith, S D (ed.) Proceedings of 28th Annual ARCOM Conference, 3-5 September 2012, Edinburgh, UK.
Abstract
A review of the literature reveals that Architecture as a profession has been already studied in countries which belong to the Anglo-American model of professionalization: Australia, Canada, the UK and the USA. However, there is a paucity of work with respect to the situation in Spain, a geographical context with specific cultural, social and economic features, which belongs to the Continental model of professionalism. The study of state-specific professions, taking into account cultural contexts, shows international similarities and variations, besides it informs about constraints and opportunities existing in our national systems. In an attempt to address this research gap, we aim to depict Spanish architects' experiences and concerns regarding work, career and professional life. An interpretive approach is used, within the qualitative paradigm, to analyse 38 semi-structured in-depth interviews with Spanish architects of different age, gender and employment setting. Open questions explored reasons for choosing the architectural profession, career drivers and obstacles, and the realities of their working lives. Findings show that although most rewards and stressors derived from the profession are similar among countries, the Spanish context has particular features which result in interesting differences. Families influence students when choosing a career in architecture, social capital is among the factors helping their careers the most, while women also identify as barriers other aspects related to gender and work-family balance. Due to the economic recession currently afflicting Spain, participants describe a rather discouraging description of their situation and outline the lack of prestige and status associated with the profession.
| Item Type: | Conference Paper (Paper) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | architecture; diversity; professionalism; qualitative research; Spain |
| Index terms: | professionalism, profession, variation, career, paradigm, qualitative research, women, architect, Spain, employment, social capital, Canada, Australia, stressors, interview, recession, professionalization |
| Subjects: | education and knowledge transfer, management, professional development, contractual condition, Geography, sociology, health conditions and diseases, research design and methodology, profession, data collection methods, institututions, economic analysis |
| Topics: | Human Resources, Contract Administration, Health and Safety, Business Strategy, Information Management, Geographical Context, Research Practice, Roles and Professions |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTE |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here