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Finland is, with Sweden, one of the most innovative country in the world, and it is useful to have a look at why. I have thought that this European report prepared by ERRIN (European Regions Research and Innovation Network) would be useful for those who lack a proper introduction to the Finnish innovation system, and could inspire us.
Executive Summary
The industrial countries of today are experiencing processes that are shaping their societies and industries towards a knowledge-based economy. In this development the flow of goods in most economic fields will soon be replaced by the flow of knowledge and information. Together with increasingly intensive international competition, individual countries and regions are hard-pressed to improve their capabilities to rapidly generate and diffuse knowledge. Read the rest of this entry »
Here is a dissertation from the Tampere university, in Finland, written in 2007 by Ekunwe Ikponwosa, which is interesting for those who are looking to lower the recidivism rate and avoid to have a large part of the population out of the society.
Abstract:
This study analyses the open prison system as a gentle way of incarceration and as a humane way of treating offenders with the objective of bringing malefactors in line with society’s accepted social norms. Read the rest of this entry »
This article, “Minimum wages and youth employment: Evidence the Finnish retail trade sector” is proving that in Finland, in the 90s, letting employers the possibility to pay less young people had practically no effect. It has been written by Petri Böckerman for the Labour Institute for Economic Research, and Roope Uusitalo for the Labour Institute for Economic Research and the Institute for Labour Market Policy Evaluation.
Abstract
Following an agreement between the trade unions and the employer organisations,
Finnish employers could pay less than the existing minimum wage for young workers
between 1993 and 1995. We examine the effects of these minimum wage exceptions
by comparing the changes in wages and employment of the groups whose minimum
wages were reduced with simultaneous changes among slightly older workers for
whom the minimum wage regulation was still binding. Our analysis is based on the
payroll record data and minimum wage agreements from the retail trade sector over
the period 1990-2005. We discover that average wages in the eligible group declined
only modestly despite the fact that the excess supply of labour during high
unemployment should make it relatively easy to attract workers even with low wages.
The minimum wage exceptions had no positive effects on employment. Read the rest of this entry »
Interesting article from Pekka Sauramo, who shows that direct investment in foreign countries prevent investors from investing in their country, which can be a real problem, except perhaps for big countries. It is part of a research project which has been financed by the Finnish Academy and the Finnish Work Environment Fund. Pekka Sauramo works for the Labour Institute for Economic Research, in Helsinki, Finland.
ABSTRACT
The paper is concerned with the relationship between outward foreign direct investment (FDI) and
domestic investment in Finland during the post-depression years of low domestic investment
activity. The relationship is analysed by the use of macroeconomic data on the period from 1965 till
2006 and through the estimation of dynamic investment equations which are based on the macroeconomic
framework employed by Feldstein (1994).
This report, witten by Annu Kotiranta, Anne Kovalainen, Petri Rouvinen has been published by the Finnish Business and Policy Forum. This should inspire our shreholders when they chose a CEO…
Summary
Less than a tenth of the CEOs of Finnish firms and less than a fourth of the corporate board members are women. From a social standpoint more women are desired in top management, but should firms’ owners and those represent¬ing their business interests be concerned with women’s role in top management? Since hard facts have been in short supply, we seek to an¬swer the question by applying scientific research methods.
Our results indicate that a company led by a female CEO is on average slightly more than a percentage point – in practice about ten per cent – more profitable than a corresponding company led by a male CEO. This observation holds even after taking into account size differences and a number other factors possibly affecting profit¬ability. The share of female board members also has a similar positive impact. These findings are significant and important not only from a statistical and research perspective but also from a business standpoint.
A book, published by the Finnish Ministry of Health, under the supervision of Permanent Secretary Kari Välimäki, to be read by all the business managers, in order to learn to make profit by supporting their human force to live together a good family life and working life.
The writers of the book are Rolf Myhrman, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health [chapter 1], Tomi Hussi, the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health and Guy Ahonen, Swedish School of Economics and Business Administration [chapter 2], Sini Laitinen-Kuikka and Eila Tuominen, the Finnish Center for Pensions (ETK) [chapter 3], Olli-Pekka Ruuskanen, the Research Institute of the Finnish Economy (ETLA) [chapter 4]. Minna Salmi, and Johanna Lammi-Taskula, the National Research and Development Centre for Welfare and Health (STAKES) [chapter 5] and Anita Haataja, Government nstitute for Economic Research (VATT) [chapter 6].
Preface
Ageing is first and foremost a great achievement, the reflection of Europe’s high level of economic development and high standards of living. It will be difficult to maintain the potential for growth and employment against a background of shrinking working age population and ageing workforce. We all want to live longer and in better health.
This in turn will enable us to remain active and independent longer than previous generations. Young adults need help to realise their plans with regard to raising a family. In this respect, the postponement of the age of mothers when bearing their first child should be a matter of concern.
