Economy of converting wood to biocoal

The pre-treatment step has a significant influence on the performance of bioenergy chains, especially on logistics. In nowadays conditions it is important to have technologies allowing to convert biomass at modest scales into dense energy carriers that ease transportation and handling. There are such technologies as charring and torrefaction. It is a thermal treatment of organic waste (only woody biomass is considered as a raw material in this work), which aims to produce a fuel with increased energy density. Wood processing is attractive under meaning of green house gas emissions. Charring and torrefaction are promising technologies due to its high process efficiency. It may be also attractive in the future as a renewable fuel with improved storage properties, increased energy density (compared to raw wood) for co-combustion and/or gasification.

Convergence and divergence in global economy and social development : global perspectives on the contents of economic and soical development policy and its effects on rich and poor countries

The study of convergence and divergence in global economy and social development utilises comparative indicators to investigate the contents of economic and social development policy and their effects on the global samples that represent the rich industrial, semi-industrial and the poor developing nations. The study searchesfor answers to questions such as "what are the objectives of economic growth policies in globalisation under the imperatives of convergence and divergence, and how do these affect human well-being in consideration to the objectives of social policy in various nations?" The empirical verification of data utilises the concepts of the `logic of industrialism´ for comparative analysis that focuses mainly on identifying the levels of well-being in world nations after the Second World War. The perspectives of convergence and divergence in global economy and social development critically examine the stages of early development processes in global economy, distinguish the differences between economy and social development, illustrate the contents of economic and social development policies, their effects on rich and poor countries, and the nature of convergence and divergence in propelling economic growth and unequal social development in world nations. The measurement of convergence and divergence in global economy and social development utilised both economic and social data that were combined into an index that measures the precise levels of the effects of economic and social development policies on human well-being in the rich and poor nations. The task of finding policy solutions to resolve the controversies are reviewed through empirical investigations and the analyses of trends indicated within economic and social indicators and data. These revealed how the adoption of social policy measures in translating the gains from economic growth, towards promoting education, public health, and equity, generate social progress and longer life expectancy, higher economic growth, and sustain more stable macro economy for the nations. Social policy is concerned with the translation of benefits from objectives of global economic growth policies, to objectives of social development policy in nation states. Social policy, therefore, represents an open door whereby benefits of economic growth policies are linked with the broader objectives of social development policy, thereby enhancing the possibility of extending benefits from economic growth to all human being in every nation.

The Productivity, Economy and Quality of Welding in the Different Geographical Areas of China - Today and in the Future

This master’s thesis gives out the real situation of the China welding industry and factories nowadays in different geographical areas, in order to inform the Finnish companies who have the willing to find a Chinese welding subcontractor a proper and correct selection concept by analyzing and supplying the information of different scale and form welding factories in different Chinese areas. The first section of this thesis gives out the general situation about the co-operation between China and Finland in the welding industry, also includes the general introduction of the Chinese welding industry. The second section gives out the geographical compartmentalization result of Chinese welding industry, which is where and how many areas will be studied in this thesis. The main body of this thesis is the real information of welding productivity, welding cost, and welding quality in China. All the information was collected from real factories in China by the author. The last section of this thesis is the improvements to the Chinese welding factories that have the willing to become a subcontractor, and the suggestions to the Finnish companies who may find a Chinese welding factory as their subcontractor in future.

Euroalueen ja muiden ulkomaisten keskuspankkien julkaisut

Kokoelma sisältää euroalueen keskuspankkien ja muiden ulkomaisten keskuspankkien julkaisemia tilastojulkaisuja, vuosikertomuksia ja lehtiä rahapolitiikasta, rahoitusmarkkinoista, finanssivalvonnasta, rahahuollosta ja pankkitoiminnasta. Julkaisuissa on tilastotietoa kyseisistä maista ja katsauksia taloudelliseen tilanteeseen ja rahapoliittisiin toimenpiteisiin. Tilastot ovat yleensä maan omassa valuutassa. Julkaisuja on n. 3890 nimekettä 1800 -luvulta lähtien. Kokoelman julkaisut ovat enimmäkseen englanninkielisiä, mutta julkaisuja on myös kansallisilla kielillä. Keskuspankkikokoelma kasvaa painetuilla vuosikertomuksilla, tilastoilla ja raporteilla. Osa tilastojulkaisuista sekä lehdistä on verkkojulkaisuina keskuspankkien sivuilla. Kokoelman vanhin aineisto on Ruotsin ja Englannin keskuspankkien lainsäädäntöä 1800-luvun puolivälistä. Euroalueelta kokoelmassa on Alankomaiden, Belgian, Espanjan, Irlannin, Italian, Itävallan, Kreikan, Kyproksen, Luxemburgin, Maltan, Portugalin, Ranskan, Saksan, Slovakian, Slovenian, ja Viron keskuspankkien julkaisuja. Suomen Pankin julkaisut on käsitelty omana alueenaan. Kokoelmassa on myös Argentiinan, Australian, Brasilian, Bulgarian, Intian, Islannin, Ison-Britannian, Israelin, Japanin, entisen Jugoslavian, Kanadan, Kiinan, Latvian, Liettuan, Puolan, Romanian, Ruotsin, Sveitsin, Tanskan, Tsekin, entisen Tsekkoslovakian, Turkin, Ukrainan, Unkarin, Uuden Seelannin, Venäjän ja Yhdysvaltojen keskuspankkien julkaisuja. Painettua kokoelmaa säilytetään varastokokoelmassa, ja se on saatavana pyynnöstä käyttöön ja kopioitavaksi.

Siirtymätalouksien tutkimuslaitoksen (BOFIT) kokoelma

Suomen Pankin kirjastolla on erilliskokoelma Siirtymätalouksien tutkimuslaitoksessa, BOFITissa. Kokoelma on painottunut siirtymätalouksia käsittelevään tieteelliseen kirjallisuuteen, tilasto- ja kausijulkaisuihin. Kokoelmaa on kartutettu 1980-luvulta lähtien ja siihen sisältyy merkittävä määrä nimekkeitä, joita ei ole hankittu muihin suomalaisiin kirjastoihin. Kokoelmaa on rajattu sekä aihepiireiltään että maantieteellisesti kulloistenkin tutkimuspainopisteiden mukaisesti. Kokoelman keskeinen aihealue on makrotalous ja erityisinä painopisteinä ovat rahatalous, talouspolitiikka ja talousuudistukset. Paljon kirjallisuutta löytyy myös raha- ja valuuttapolitiikasta, pankkitoiminnasta ja kansainvälisistä taloussuhteista. Maantieteellisinä painopisteinä ovat tällä hetkellä erityisesti Venäjä ja Kiina. Vanhempaa aineistoa löytyy myös Baltian sekä Itä-Euroopan maista, Neuvostoliitosta sekä Suomen idänkaupasta. Kirjakokoelma sisältää n. 5300 nimekettä, lehtikokoelma n. 150 nimekettä. Artikkeliviitteitä löytyy n. 2300 vuodesta 1990 lähtien. Kokoelma sisältää tiedot myös kaikesta BOFITin omasta julkaisutuotannosta. Suurin osa kokoelmasta on englanninkielistä.

Cargo Traffic on the Helsinki-Tallinn Route

The twin-city model has found to increase economical activity and well-being. The similar economical, social and cultural background of Finland and Estonia as well as the EU integration give good preconditions to create a twin-city of Helsinki and Tallinn. The relatively long distance between Helsinki and Tallinn is challenging. Therefore, good transport infrastructure and functioning connections are required to form a twin-city of Helsinki and Tallinn. The connections between these cities can be considered also in broader perspective than only from the viewpoint of the twin-city concept. New markets areas have been emerged in Europe due to collapse of planned economy and integration of Europe. Also the transport routes to the markets are changing. The Hel-sinki-Tallinn sea route can be considered as a fast route to the new markets in the Cen-tral and Eastern Europe. The Helsinki-Tallinn sea route is also a potential route to the Western European markets. This study provides an analysis of transport and cargo flows between Finland and Esto-nia for regional and local planners. The main purpose of the study is to clarify the pre-sent situation of the seaborne cargo flows on the Helsinki-Tallinn route and how the cargo flows will develop in the future. The study focuses on the following thematic enti-ties: the Finnish and Estonian seaborne transport system and cargo flows, the structure and volume of the cargo flows on the Helsinki-Tallinn route, the hinterland cargo flows on the Helsinki-Tallinn route and the transport methods used on the Helsinki-Tallinn route. The study was carried out as a desk research, a statistical analysis and an inter-view study during the spring–autumn 2011. The study reveals that during the period 2002–2010 the volume of the seaborne cargo traffic between Finland and Estonia has increased significantly while the trend of the trade volume between Finland and Estonia has remained nearly constant. This indicates that the route via Estonia is increasingly used in the Finnish foreign trade. Because the ports of Helsinki and Tallinn are the main ports in the cargo traffic between Finland and Estonia, the role of the Helsinki-Tallinn route as a sea leg in the hinterland connections of Finland has increased. The growth of the cargo volume on the Helsinki-Tallinn route was estimated to continue on the annual level of 10 % during the next couple of years. In the long run the growth of the cargo volumes depends on the economical and indus-trial development of the former Eastern European countries. If the IMO’s sulphur regu-lations will come in force, the Helsinki-Tallinn route will become one of the main routes also to the Western European markets, besides of the route via Sweden. The study also shows that the fast and reliable connections year round on the Helsinki-Tallinn route have made it possible for service and logistics companies to reconsider their logistics strategies in a new way in the both side of the Gulf of Finland. Anyway, the ropax concept is seen as the only economical profitable solution on the Helsinki-Tallinn route because cargo and passenger traffic are supporting each other. The trucks (vehicle combinations) will remain the main mode of transport on the Helsinki-Tallinn route because general cargo is the main commodity on the route. IMO’s sulphur regula-tions and the changes in the structure of the Finnish industry may create prerequisites for rail road transport in the hinterland connections of Finland. The twin-city model has found to increase economical activity and well-being. The similar economical, social and cultural background of Finland and Estonia as well as the EU integration give good preconditions to create a twin-city of Helsinki and Tallinn. The relatively long distance between Helsinki and Tallinn is challenging. Therefore, good transport infrastructure and functioning connections are required to form a twin-city of Helsinki and Tallinn. The connections between these cities can be considered also in broader perspective than only from the viewpoint of the twin-city concept. New markets areas have been emerged in Europe due to collapse of planned economy and integration of Europe. Also the transport routes to the markets are changing. The Hel-sinki-Tallinn sea route can be considered as a fast route to the new markets in the Cen-tral and Eastern Europe. The Helsinki-Tallinn sea route is also a potential route to the Western European markets. This study provides an analysis of transport and cargo flows between Finland and Esto-nia for regional and local planners. The main purpose of the study is to clarify the pre-sent situation of the seaborne cargo flows on the Helsinki-Tallinn route and how the cargo flows will develop in the future. The study focuses on the following thematic enti-ties: the Finnish and Estonian seaborne transport system and cargo flows, the structure and volume of the cargo flows on the Helsinki-Tallinn route, the hinterland cargo flows on the Helsinki-Tallinn route and the transport methods used on the Helsinki-Tallinn route. The study was carried out as a desk research, a statistical analysis and an inter-view study during the spring–autumn 2011. The study reveals that during the period 2002–2010 the volume of the seaborne cargo traffic between Finland and Estonia has increased significantly while the trend of the trade volume between Finland and Estonia has remained nearly constant. This indicates that the route via Estonia is increasingly used in the Finnish foreign trade. Because the ports of Helsinki and Tallinn are the main ports in the cargo traffic between Finland and Estonia, the role of the Helsinki-Tallinn route as a sea leg in the hinterland connections of Finland has increased. The growth of the cargo volume on the Helsinki-Tallinn route was estimated to continue on the annual level of 10 % during the next couple of years. In the long run the growth of the cargo volumes depends on the economical and indus-trial development of the former Eastern European countries. If the IMO’s sulphur regu-lations will come in force, the Helsinki-Tallinn route will become one of the main routes also to the Western European markets, besides of the route via Sweden. The study also shows that the fast and reliable connections year round on the Helsinki-Tallinn route have made it possible for service and logistics companies to reconsider their logistics strategies in a new way in the both side of the Gulf of Finland. Anyway, the ropax concept is seen as the only economical profitable solution on the Helsinki-Tallinn route because cargo and passenger traffic are supporting each other. The trucks (vehicle combinations) will remain the main mode of transport on the Helsinki-Tallinn route because general cargo is the main commodity on the route. IMO’s sulphur regula-tions and the changes in the structure of the Finnish industry may create prerequisites for rail road transport in the hinterland connections of Finland.

Estonia guide 1928

kuv., 8 x 15 cm

Transition management and the sustainable nutrients economy in the Netherlands; positioning paper

In this positioning paper transition management (TM) and the sustainable nutrient economy are addressed. We discuss TM from its scholarly origins in the 1990’s to its implementation as a comprehensive sector-wide policy program on sustainability in The Netherlands during the first decade of the 2000´s. Although the program was innovative and provoked a new approach to environmental policy and governance, the program at large failed to set the right conditions under which sustainable transition take place. Lessons from the Netherlands, both successful and less successful, are addressed in this positioning paper to inform Finnish governmental and knowledge institutes on how (not) to implement TM on environmental issues. When looking at sustainable nutrient economy the paper takes a historical view at how problems with nutrients (especially phosphates) were dealt with in the Netherlands during the post World War II era. This transition did not occur easily. In the agricultural sector environmental policies to prevent nutrient problems were not easily accepted, as large agricultural economic interests were at stake and the sector’s main actors were generally opposed to (radical) environmental transition. Currently, sustainable nutrient economy initiatives are starting to receive attention on the political agenda once again. In 2011 a sector- and chain-wide covenant was signed, showing that sustainable nutrient transition goals get commitment from stakeholders throughout the nutrient chain. We judge that TM provides useful elements that are applicable to Finnish governance modes to support sustainable nutrient economy transition. However, the Finnish government should be careful when implementing TM to prevent making the same mistakes the Dutch government made in previous years.

The grand voyage : the experience, the narrated experience and the experience economy : an analysis of ocean cruisers' travel blogs

Lectio praecursoria, Åbo Akademi University 7 June 2013.

Quality, Productivity and Economy in Welding Manufacturing - Case Study: West Africa

This thesis studies quality, productivity and economy in welding manufacturing in West African states such as Ghana, Nigeria and Cameroon. The study consists of two parts: the first part, which forms the theoretical background, reviews relevant literature concerning the metal and welding industries, and measurement of welding quality, productivity and economy. The second part, which is the empirical part, aims to identify activities in the metal manufacturing industries where welding is extensively used and to determine the extent of welding quality, productivity and economy measurements in companies operating in the metal manufacturing industries. Additionally, the thesis aims to identify challenges that companies face and to assess the feasibility of creating a network to address these issues. The research methods used in the empirical part are the case study (qualitative) method and the survey (quantitative) method. However, the case study method was used to elicit information from companies in Ghana, while the survey method was used to elicit information from companies in Nigeria and Cameroon. The study considers important areas that contribute to creating awareness and understanding of the current situation of the welding industry in West Africa. These areas include the metal manufacturing industrial sector, metal products manufactured, metal production and manufacturing systems deployed, welding quality, productivity and economy measurement systems utilized, equipment and materials on the markets, general challenges facing companies in welding operations, welding technology programs and research in local universities, and SWOT analysis of the various West African states. The notable findings indicate that majority of the companies operate in the constructionindustrial sector. Also, majority of the companies are project manufacturing oriented, thus provide services to customers operating in the growing industries such as the oil and gas, mining, food and the energy industry. In addition, only few companies are certified under standards such as ISO 9001, ISO 3834, and OHSAS 18001. More so, majority of the companies employ manual welding technique, and shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) as the commonly used welding process. Finally, welder salary is about € 300 / month as of June 2013 and the average operations turnover of medium to large companies is about € 5 million / year as at 2012. Based on analysis of the results of the study, it is noted that while welding activities are growing, the availability of cheap labor, the need for company and welder qualification and certification, and the need to manufacture innovative products through developmental projects (transfer of welding expertise and technology) remain as untapped opportunities in the welding industry in the West African states. The study serves as a solid platform for further research and concludes with several recommendations for development of the West African welding industry.

Transition management in action within the context of nutrient economy

Tämä työ tutkii ja tarkastelee transitio-kokeilua ravinnetaloudessa. Transitio-kokeilu on toimintatutkimusprojekti, joka toteutetaan systeemisen muutoksen ajattelun mukaisesti alhaalta ylöspäin. Ravinnetalous määritetään tarkemmin työn kautta sekä analysoidaan monitaso-perspektiivin näkökulmasta. Ravinnetalous on terminä varsin tuntematon ja tarvitsee enemmän tunnettavuutta laajemman yleisön edessä. Transitio-areenan ja transitio-visioiden kehittäminen ovat työn keskipisteessä, koska ne ovat tärkeimpiä vaiheita transition alkuvaiheessa. Joukko sidosryhmätoimijoita osallistuu transitio areenaan sekä visioiden jatkokehittelyyn. Visio(t) luodaan ensisijaisesti backcasting-menetelmällä, jota myös täydennetään tavanomaisella ennustamisella. Backcasting- menetelmä on osin osallistava ja siinä käytetään ravinteiden planeettarajoja kvantitatiivisina pääperiaatteina, minkä tuloksena myös visiot ovat osin kvantitatiivisia. Transitio areenan kokoaminen ja fasilitointi aiheuttavat hankalia kysymyksiä, jotka tarvitsevat jatko-tutkimusta. Alhaalta-ylöspäin organisoitu transitio-arena houkuttelee niche-toimijoita, mutta epäonnistuu sitouttamaan julkisen vallan toimijoita. Toimintamallin voimasuhteet, politiikka ja transition vakiinnuttaminen tulisivat olla jatko-toimenpiteinä niin tutkimuksessa kuin toiminnassakin.

Innovation Process and Organizational Adoption of Disruptive Innovation: Empirical Evidence from Finnish Bio-Economy Companies.

The thesis aims to build a coherent view and understanding of the innovation process and organizational technology adoption in Finnish bio-economy companies with a focus on innovations of a disruptive nature. Disruptive innovations are exceptional hence in order to create generalizations and a unified view of the subject the perspective is also on less radical innovations. Other interests of the thesis are how ideas are discovered and generated and how the nature of the innovation and size of the company affect the technology adoption and innovation process. The data was collected by interviewing six small and six large Finnish bio-economy companies. The results suggest companies regardless of size consider innovation as a core asset in the competitive markets. Organizations want to be considered innovators and early adopters yet these qualities are limited by certain, mainly resource-based factors. In addition the industry, scalability and Finland’s geographical location when seeking funding provide certain challenges. The innovation process may be considered relatively similar whether the idea or technology stems from an internal or external source suggesting the technology adoption process can in fact be linked to the innovation process theories. Thus the thesis introduces a new theoretical model which based on the results of the study and the theories of technology adoption and innovation process aims on characterizing how ideas and technology from both external and internal sources generate into innovations. The innovation process is in large bio-economy companies most often similar to or a modified version of the stage-gate model, while small companies generally have less structured processes. Nevertheless the more disruptive the innovation, the less it fits in the structured processes. This implies disruptive innovation cannot be put in a certain mould but it is rather processed case-by-case.