Work for your happiness - Theoretical and empirical study defining and measuring happiness at work

There are vast changes in the work environment, and the traditional rules and management methods might not be suitable for today’s employees anymore. The meaning of work is also changing due to the younger and higher educated generations entering the markets. Old customs need to be re-validated and new approaches should be taken into use. This paper strongly emphasizes the importance of happiness research and happiness at work. The values towards the meaning of work are changing; people demand happiness and quality from all aspects of their lives. The aim of this study is to define happiness - especially at work - and to explain how it can be measured and what kind of results achieved. I also want to find out how the contents of work and the working environment might enhance happiness. The correlation between education and happiness is discussed and examined. I am aware that the findings and theories are concentrating mainly on Western Countries and highlighting the values and work-environments of those societies. The main aim of the empirical study is to find out if there are connections between happiness and work in data collected by World Value Survey in 2005, and if the profession has effects on happiness. Other factors such as the correlation of age, sex, education and income are examined too. I also want to find out what kind of values people have towards work and how these affect the happiness levels. The focus is on two nations: Finland (N=1014) and Italy (N=1012). I have also taken the global comparison within, that is all 54 countries (N=66,566) included in the 5th wave (during the years 2005 -2008) of the World Value Survey. The results suggest that people are generally happy around the world; happiness decreasing with the age, the educated being happier than the uneducated and the employed happier than the unemployed. People working in neat “white collar” jobs are more likely happier than those working in factories or outdoors. Money makes us happier, until certain level is reached. Work is important to people and the importance of work adds happiness. Work is also highly appreciated, but there are more happy people among those who do not appreciate work that highly. Safety matters the most when looking for a job, and there are more happy people among those who have selected the importance of work as the first choice when looking for a job, than among those to whom an income is the most important aspect. People are more likely happy when the quality of work is high, that is when their job consists of creative and cognitive tasks and when they have a feeling of independence.

Personality and Depression

The aim of this study was to illustrate the associations of personality variables and depression. The first study population consisted of 50 patients with DSM-IV defined major depressive disorder. Subjects were randomized to receive either fluoxetine medication or short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy. The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale was completed at the baseline and in the follow-up at four months. Baseline mature defense style measured with the Defense Style Questionnaire predicted favourable outcome in the fluoxetine treatment group, whereas no associations were found in psychotherapy group. The Psychological Mindedness Scale scores were not predictive for recovery in patients receiving psychotherapy or medication. The Psychological Mindedness Scale seems not to be useful in selecting optimal treatment in major depressive disorder. Harm Avoidance measured with the Temperament and Character Inventory associated with the baseline severity of the depressive state. In the fluoxetine treatment group high Reward Dependence, high Self-Directedness and high Cooperativeness were predictive for more severe depression in the four months follow-up, whereas no associations were found in the psychotherapy treatment group. It is possible that the result reflects the differences in the placebo response. The second data were derived from the Finnish Public Sector Study. These prospective studies with four years follow-up focused on the predictive value of optimism and pessimism, first, to work disability with a diagnosis of depression lasting at least 90 days and returning to work (N= 38214) , and second, to the likelihood of initiating antidepressant medication treatment lasting at least 100 days and ending the treatment (N= 29930). Results show that low optimism associates with the elevated risk of work disability and higher likelihood of antidepressant use. High pessimism associated with higher likelihood starting at least 100 days antidepressant medication and not stopping medication during the follow up. High pessimism did not seem to predict the entering to depression related work disability, but in the case of disability period it associated with the lower likelihood of returning to work. The thesis shows that personality features play a role as a vulnerability factor, and influence the onset and course of depression. Taking these factors into account more than is currently done may increase the possibilities to enhance the treatment results in depression.

Tuotetietojen hallintaohjelmiston käytettävyyden kehittäminen PK-yrityksessä

Usability of software describes characteristics of its user interface, which affect its ease of use, degree of satisfaction, efficiency and other factors. Usability can have great impact on the productiveness and happiness of the employees. Usability methods, specially designed for the purpose, can be used for improving the usability. This Master’s Thesis is about studying usability problems of a software used for managing product information, and fixing those problems. The aim of the thesis was to improve the usability of the software by fixing the problems and to demonstrate that improving usability is possible in a SME with limited resources. To achieve the goal a selected group of well known usability methods were used. In the thesis a number of usability problems were detected, and for some of which a solution was designed. The selected usability methods very mostly found well suited for the purpose.

Military crisis management in the next decade (2020-2030) : inducing consent or relying on compliance?

The most outstanding conceptual challenge of modern crisis management is the principle of consent. It is not a problem only at the operational level - it challenges the entire decision-making structures of crisis management operations. In post-cold war times and especially in the 21st century, there has been a transition from peacekeeping with limited size and scope towards large and complex peace operations. This shift has presented peace operations with a dilemma. How to balance between maintaining consent for peace operations, whilst being able to use military force to coerce those attempting to wreck peace processes? To address such a dilemma, this research aims to promote understanding, on what can be achieved by military crisis management operations (peace support operations) in the next decade. The research concentrates on the focal research question: Should military components induce consent or rely on the compliance of conflicting parties in crisis management operations of the next decade (2020 – 2030)? The focus is on military – political strategic level considerations, and especially on the time before political decisions to commit to a crisis management operation. This study does not focus on which actor or organisation should intervene. The framework of this thesis derives from the so called ‘peacebuilding space’, the scope of peace operations and spoiler theory. Feasibility of both peace enforcement and peacekeeping in countering future risk conditions are analysed in this framework. This future-orientated qualitative research uses the Delphi-method with a panel of national and international experts. Citation analysis supports identification of relevant reference material, which consists of contemporary literature, the Delphi-questionnaires and interviews. The research process followed three main stages. In the first stage, plausible future scenarios and risk conditions were identified with the Delphi-panel. In the second stage, operating environments for peace support operations were described and consequent hypotheses formulated. In the third stage, these hypotheses were tested on the Delphi-panel. The Delphi-panel is sufficiently wide and diverse to produce plausible yet different insights. The research design utilised specifically military crisis management and peace operations theories. This produced various and relevant normative considerations. Therefore, one may argue that this research; which is based on accepted contemporary theory, hypotheses derived thereof and utilising an expert panel, contributes to the realm of peace support operations. This research finds that some degree of peace enforcement will be feasible and necessary in at least the following risk conditions: failed governance; potential spillover of ethnic, religious, ideological conflict; vulnerability of strategic chokepoints and infrastructures in ungoverned spaces; as well as in territorial and extra-territorial border disputes. In addition, some form of peace enforcement is probably necessary in risk conditions pertaining to: extremism of marginalised groups; potential disputes over previously uninhabited and resource-rich territories; and interstate rivalry. Furthermore, this research finds that peacekeeping measures will be feasible and necessary in at least risk conditions pertaining to: potential spillover of ethnic, religious, ideological conflict; uncontrolled migration; consequences from environmental catastrophes or changes; territorial and extra-territorial border disputes; and potential disputes over previously uninhabited and resource-rich territories. These findings are all subject to both generic and case specific preconditions that must exist for a peace support operation. Some deductions could be derived from the research findings. Although some risk conditions may appear illogical, understanding the underlying logic of a conflict is fundamental to understanding transition in crisis management. Practitioners of crisis management should possess cognizance of such transition. They must understand how transition should occur from threat to safety, from conflict to stability – and so forth. Understanding transition is imperative for managing the dynamic evolution of preconditions, which begins at the outset of a peace support operation. Furthermore, it is pertinent that spoilers are defined from a peace process point of view. If spoilers are defined otherwise, it changes the nature of an operation towards war, where the logic is breaking the will of an enemy - and surrender. In peace support operations, the logic is different: actions towards spoilers are intended to cause transition towards consent - not defeat. Notwithstanding future developments, history continues to provide strategic education. However, the distinction is that the risk conditions occur in novel futures. Hence, lessons learned from the past should be fitted to the case at hand. This research shows compelling evidence that swaying between intervention optimism and pessimism is not substantiated. Both peace enforcement and peacekeeping are sine qua non for successful military crisis management in the next decade.

Subjectivity in the valuation : Case study on the Finnish biotechnology industry

The thesis combines valuation and behavioral economics literature, which is not common among the Finnish management accounting research. Furthermore, the valuation is studied in biotechnology context and those type of studies are rather rare as well. The thesis studies the valuation in the Finnish biotechnology industry. The concepts of behavioral finance are employed in the empirical part of the study to explore decision-makers’ behavior in valuation processes. The main interest of this study is to explore how subjectivity of a decision-maker affects the valuation in the biotechnology industry. The valuation is studied from two perspectives. First, what is the best valuation model for biotechnology companies suggested by the valuation literature? Second, how the valuation in biotechnology industry is done in practice and how the decision-makers subjectivity affects the valuation? The literature review aims at seeking the best valuation model. The real options were found to be the most suitable valuation model for biotechnology companies, especially in the early stages of product development. The real option’s ability to take the value of the inherent options into account results in theoretically most correct valuations. The only disadvantage is the model’s complexity when compared to other models, such as discounted cash flow models. The empirical part of the study consists of a case study, which examines the valuation practices of the Finnish biotechnology companies. When it comes to the valuation models used in practice, it was found that the companies were using rather simple valuation models, which was due to two reasons. First, the interviewees did not believe in the valuation models and second, they were familiar neither with the most sophisticated models nor with all the theoretical aspects of the models they were using. The material for the study was collected with theme interviews. Four CEO’s of highly successful Finnish biotechnology companies. Strong signs of the decision-makers’ subjectivity in valuation were observed. Most obvious were the signs of framing. Furthermore, herding, excessive optimism, and overconfidence were present. All the behavioral concepts observed most likely have a severe effect on the valuation. As a result, the valuation can easily become overly optimistic, which leads to overvalued investments and to continuation of already unprofitable projects. Framing had the strongest evidence. If the product being valued is framed successfully, the risk of overvaluation is high, thus a strong belief can justify almost any value.

Peruskoulun yläkouluvalinnat Turussa. Perheiden yläkouluvalintojen rakentuminen äitien puheissa ja toimissa

Tutkimuksessa tarkastellaan peruskoulun yläkouluvalintoja Turussa. Tarkastelun keskiössä ovat vuonna 1997 syntyneiden turkulaislasten vanhempien yläkouluvalintaa koskeva yleinen sekä omaan lapseen kiinnittyvä puhe ja toimijuus paikallisessa institutionaalisessa kouluvalintatilassa sekä vanhempien lapsen koulutukseen ja kouluvalintaan liittämät perustelut, merkitykset, arvot ja arvostukset. Tämän lisäksi tutkimuksessa tarkastellaan puheesta ja toimista rakentuvia perheiden kouluvalintastrategioita, joita peilataan äitien koulutuksellisiin ja sosiaalisiin resursseihin sekä paikalliseen toimintapolitiikkaan. Tutkimus ei kerro ainoastaan paikallisessa kontekstissa tapahtuvista kouluvalinnoista, vaan laajemmin yhteiskunnassa vallitsevista hierarkioista ja arvoista sekä koulutukseen ja sosioekonomiseen asemaan linkittyvistä normatiivisista toimintatavoista. Tutkimuksessa käytetään haastattelu- ja kyselyaineistoja. Aineistot kerättiin osana kahta laajempaa Suomen Akatemian rahoittamaa Helsingin ja Turun yliopistojen kanssa yhteistyössä tehtyä tutkimusprojektia Vanhemmat ja kouluvalinta – Perheiden koulutusstrategiat, eriarvoistuminen ja paikalliset koulupolitiikat suomalaisessa peruskoulussa (VAKOVA) 2009–2012 sekä Parents and School Choice. Family Strategies, Segregation and School Policies in Chilean and Finnish Basic Schooling (PASC) 2010–2013. Tutkimusaineistot koostuvat 87 turkulaisäidin haastattelusta ja kyselyaineistosta. Kyselyaineiston analyysissä on käytetty kuvailevia tilastollisia menetelmiä, ja sitä käytetään ensisijaisesti taustoittamaan haastatteluaineistoa. Haastatteluaineiston analyysi perustuu pääasiallisesti teema-analyysiin, mutta toimija-asema-analyysin osalta myös diskursiiviseen lähestymistapaan. Haastatteluaineiston pohjalta esiin nousseiden lasten koulutusta ja kouluvalintoja koskevien kuvausten perusteella perheiden yläkouluvalinnat jaettiin kolmeen erityyppiseen valintastrategiaan: perinteiseen lähikouluvalintastrategiaan (n=41), ambivalenttiseen kouluvalintastrategiaan (n=23) ja päämäärätietoiseen kouluvalintastrategiaan (n=23). Jokainen kolmesta strategiasta piti sisällään kahdenlaista toimijuutta kouluvalintakentällä. Ryhmittely kouluvalintastrategioittain ja toimija-asemittain perustui äitien puhetapaan kouluvalinnoista ja yleisemmin koulutukseen liitetyistä merkityksistä ja arvoista sekä konkreettiseen toimintaan kouluvalinnan suhteen. Lähikouluvalintastrategiaa suosivien jälkeläiset siirtyivät koulunsa yleisluokalle. Perheet toimivat valintakentällä kaupungin rajaavan toimintapolitiikan ohjaamina, jolloin kouluvalinta näytti passiiviselta. Osoitteenmukaiseen kouluun siirtymistä perusteltiin praktisilla syillä; koulumatkan pituudella, kulkuyhteyksillä ja lapsen kaverisuhteilla. Hyvinvointivaltion edellytykseksi nähtiin kaikille taattu samanvertainen koulutus ja edelleen luotettiin perinteistä peruskoulua määrittävään mahdollisuuksien tasa-arvoon. Koulutuksen yhdeksi tärkeäksi tehtäväksi nähtiin lapsen kasvattaminen hyvinvoivaksi ja onnelliseksi. Vanhempien toiminta oli perinteisen kouluvalintastrategian mukaista. Ambivalenttista kouluvalintastrategiaa käyttävistä perheistä toiminta kouluvalintakentällä oli kahtalaista. Äidit joko harkitsivat kouluvalintoja tai vertailivat kouluja ja niihin pääsymahdollisuuksia realistisesti tasapainoillen ohjaavan ja mahdollistavan toimintapolitiikan välimaastossa. Tärkeintä oli olla tietoinen kaupungin kouluvalintapolitiikasta sekä siitä, että valinnoilla voi olla merkitystä jälkikasvun koulupolulle. Eri vaihtoehtojen punnitsemisen jälkeen päädyttiin useimmin lähikoulun painotettuun opetukseen. Lapsen peruskoulutusta haluttiin rikastaa painotetulla opetuksella ja hänen toivottiin pääsevän motivoituneeseen ja oppimismyönteiseen koululuokkaan. Valintoja tehtiin paikallisen toimintapolitiikan puitteissa lapsen parasta toivoen. Koulutuksen tehtäväksi nähtiin lapsen intellektuaalinen kasvu kiedottuna koulutuksen tuottamaan hyvinvointiin ja onnellisuuteen. Perheiden valintastrategiaksi muodostui ambivalenttinen strategia motivoituneen oppimisympäristön löytämiseksi. Päämäärätietoista kouluvalintastrategiaa käyttävät vanhemmat hyödynsivät aktiivisesti erilaisia reittejä tiettyihin yläkouluihin pääsemiseksi. Ennakoivien perheiden lapset olivat opiskelleet sellaisessa alakoulussa, joka ei kuulunut yläkoulun oppilasalueelle, mutta takasi lapselle reitin suosittuun yläkouluun. Määrätietoisten perheissä havahduttiin valintoihin puolestaan yläkouluun siirryttäessä, jolloin koulupaikkaa haettiin sopivimman painotetun opetuksen ja koulun maineen mukaan pois lähiyläkoulusta. Lähikoulu -periaate koettiin epäoikeudenmukaiseksi, sillä lapsella tulee olla oikeus toteuttaa omia kykyjään ja lahjakkuuttaan valikoidussa oppilasryhmässä ja perheillä mahdollisuus valita lapsen koulu. Paikallinen toimintapolitiikka ei näyttänyt rajaavan vanhempien kouluvalintoja. Koulutuksen tarkoitukseksi nähtiin intellektuaalinen kasvu ja akateemissivistävä tehtävä. Päämäärätietoisen kouluvalintavalintastrategian tavoitteena oli perheelle sopivan habituksen takaaminen. Paikallinen toimintapolitiikka mahdollisti vanhempien erilaisten kouluvalintastrategioiden rakentumisen ohjaten ensisijaisesti lähiyläkouluun, mutta samalla mahdollistaen koulun valinnan toissijaisen haun kriteerein. Kouluvalintastrategioihin ja toimintatapaan kouluvalintakentällä kytkeytyi vanhempien koulutukseen liittämät arvot sekä kulttuuriset ja sosiaaliset resurssit ja se, miten niitä käytettiin.