SPUR Project

2010 winner (13 of 19)

An Anglo-French comparative study of professional careers in the construction industry

Supervisor: Dr Valerie Caven (Human Resource Management)

The UK construction industry career is typified by a long hours working culture, presenteeism, requirements to travel and stay away from home at short notice; employment in the professions is insecure and salaries are low in comparison with other professional employment. The research is a comparative study to investigate the similarities and contrasts between professional construction careers in France and the UK in order to further our understanding of employment in Europe. To date there is a dearth of cross-national comparative studies of professions particularly within the construction industry. Student tasks will include analysis of interview transcripts into themes; identification of contextual data relating to the project (e.g. materials from the websites of the French Architects’ Professional Bodies); a literature search and review of materials in both English and French language journals, and assistance with reporting.