Careers in architecture are characterized by higher levels of job insecurity and lower levels of remuneration than other equivalent professions. Likewise, the 'traditional' rewards associated with professional employment-professional power, status and recognition-have been eroded. Raising the question of what are the rewards associated with an architectural career, the concepts of informal networks and relationships in particular are examined as compensation for the poor financial rewards. Drawing upon the rewards literature in conjunction with professional identity and career management data from 84 in-depth interviews with UK and France-based architects, adopting a grounded theory method within the interpretive paradigm, findings show these relationships provide a significant amount of intrinsic satisfaction and thus reward which has been hitherto overlooked. The importance of these relationships could not be foreseen nor can they be actively planned but exist as a powerful intrinsic reward.

Purpose -Despite initiatives designed to encourage more women, the construction industry and its associated professions remain resolutely male-dominated and the situation shows little signs of changing. Reporting on the findings of an exploratory study which examines the transfer of Equality Policy into practice in three European countries: the UK, France and Spain, we provide cross-national comparisons of the implementation of gender initiatives in a single profession, that of architecture.Methodology -66 semi-structured interviews were carried out in the qualitative paradigm with women architects in the UK, France and Spain.Findings -Findings are two-fold: firstly, our research indicates that there are many weaknesses in the support offered and in the design of the initiatives which serve to discourage women rather than encourage them and secondly, there is a clear need for the dominant body within the industry -the men -to provide the impetus for change Originality -Our research is unique in that it offers a cross-national comparison of the situation within a single profession in a male-dominated industry which has attracted much attention for its lack of diversity and its reluctance to embrace change

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