Understanding the Racial Nature of Police and Immigrant Relations In Finland. The Case of Africans in Turku

The focus of this study is to examine the role of police and immigrants��� relations, as less is known about this process in the country. The studies were approached in two different ways. Firstly, an attempt was made to examine how immigrants view their encounters with the police. Secondly, the studies explored how aware the police are of immigrants��� experiences in their various encounters and interactions on the street level. An ancillary aim of the studies is to clarify, analyse and discuss how prejudice and stereotypes can be tackled, thereby contributing to the general debate about racism and discrimination for better ethnic relations in the country. The data in which this analysis was based is on a group of adults (n=88) from the total of 120 Africans questioned for the entire study (n=45) police cadets and (n=6) serving police officers from Turku. The present thesis is a compilation of five articles. A summary of each article findings follows, as the same data was used in all five studies. In the first study, a theoretical model was developed to examine the perceived knowledge of bias by immigrants resulting from race, culture and belief. This was also an attempt to explore whether this knowledge was predetermined in my attempt to classify and discuss as well as analyse the factors that may be influencing immigrants��� allegations of unfair treatment by the police in Turku. The main finding shows that in the first paper there was ignorance and naivety on the part of the police in their attitudes towards the African immigrant���s prior experiences with the police, and this may probably have resulted from stereotypes or their lack of experience as well as prior training with immigrants where these kinds of experience are rampant in the country (Egharevba, 2003 and 2004a). In exploring what leads to stereotypes, a working definition is the assumption that is prevalent among some segments of the population, including the police, that Finland is a homogenous country by employing certain conducts and behaviour towards ethnic and immigrant groups in the country. This to my understanding is stereotype. Historically this was true, but today the social topography of the country is changing and becoming even more complex. It is true that, on linguistic grounds, the country is multilingual, as there are a few recognised national minority languages (Swedish, Sami and Russian) as well as a number of immigrant languages including English. Apparently it is vital for the police to have a line of communication open when addressing the problem associated with immigrants in the country. The second paper moved a step further by examining African immigrants��� understanding of human rights as well as what human rights violation means or entails in their views as a result of their experiences with the police, both in Finland and in their country of origin. This approach became essential during the course of the study, especially when the participants were completing the questionnaire (N=88), where volunteers were solicited for a later date for an in-depth interview with the author. Many of the respondents came from countries where human rights are not well protected and seldom discussed publicly, therefore understanding their views on the subject can help to explain why some of the immigrants are sceptical about coming forward to report cases of batteries and assaults to the police, or even their experiences of being monitored in shopping malls in their new home and the reason behind their low level of trust in public authorities in Finland. The study showed that knowledge of human rights is notably low among some of the participants. The study also found that female respondents were less aware of human rights when compared with their male counterparts. This has resulted in some of the male participants focussing more on their traditional ways of thinking by not realising that they are in a new country where there is equality in sexes and lack of respect on gender terms is not condoned. The third paper focussed on the respondents��� experiences with the police in Turku and tried to explore police attitudes towards African immigrant clients, in addition to the role stereotype plays in police views of different cultures and how these views have impacted on immigrants��� views of discriminatory policing in Turku. The data is the same throughout the entire studies (n=88), except that some few participants were interviewed for the third paper thirty-five persons. The results showed that there is some bias in mass-media reports on the immigrants��� issues, due to selective portrayal of biases without much investigation being carried out before jumping to conclusions, especially when the issues at stake involve an immigrant (Egharevba, 2005a; Egharevba, 2004a and 2004b). In this vein, there was an allegation that the police are even biased while investigating cases of theft, especially if the stolen property is owned by an immigrant (Egharevba, 2006a, Egharevba, 2006b). One vital observation from the respondents��� various comments was that race has meaning in their encounters and interaction with the police in the country. This result led the author to conclude that the relation between the police and immigrants is still a challenge, as there is rampant fear and distrust towards the police by some segments of the participating respondents in the study. In the fourth paper the focus was on examining the respondents��� view of the police, with special emphasis on race and culture as well as the respondents��� perspective on police behaviour in Turku. This is because race, as it was relayed to me in the study, is a significant predictor of police perception (Egharevba, 2005a; Egharevba and Hannikianen, 2005). It is a known scientific fact that inter-group racial attitudes are the representation of group competition and perceived threat to power and status (Group-position theory). According to Blumer (1958) a sense of group threat is an essential element for the emergence of racial prejudice. Consequently, it was essential that we explored the existing relationship between the respondents and the police in order to have an understanding of this concept. The result indicates some local and international contextual issues and assumptions that were of importance tackling prejudice and discrimination as it exists within the police in the country. Moreover, we have to also remember that, for years, many of these African immigrants have been on the receiving end of unjust law enforcement in their various countries of origin, which has resulted in many of them feeling inferior and distrustful of the police even in their own country of origin. While discussing the issues of cultural difference and how it affects policing, we must also keep in mind the socio-cultural background of the participants, their level of language proficiency and educational background. The research data analysed in this study also confirmed the difficulties associated with cultural misunderstandings in interpreting issues and how these misunderstandings have affected police and immigrant relations in Finland. Finally, the fifth paper focussed on cadets��� attitudes towards African immigrants as well as serving police officers��� interaction with African clients. Secondly, the police level of awareness of African immigrants��� distrustfulness of their profession was unclear. For this reason, my questions in this fifth study examined the experiences and attitudes of police cadets and serving police officers as well as those of African immigrants in understanding how to improve this relationship in the country. The data was based on (n=88) immigrant participants, (n=45) police cadets and 6 serving police officers from the Turku police department. The result suggests that there is distrust of the police in the respondents��� interaction; this tends to have galvanised a heightened tension resulting from the lack of language proficiency (Egharevba and White, 2007; Egharevba and Hannikainen, 2005, and Egharevba, 2006b) The result also shows that the allegation of immigrants as being belittled by the police stems from the misconceptions of both parties as well as the notion of stop and search by the police in Turku. All these factors were observed to have contributed to the alleged police evasiveness and the lack of regular contact between the respondents and the police in their dealings. In other words, the police have only had job-related contact with many of the participants in the present study. The results also demonstrated the complexities caused by the low level of education among some of the African immigrants in their understanding about the Finnish culture, norms and values in the country. Thus, the framework constructed in these studies embodies diversity in national culture as well as the need for a further research study with a greater number of respondents (both from the police and immigrant/majority groups), in order to explore the different role cultures play in immigrant and majority citizens��� understanding of police work.

Viestint�� ravitsemusosaamisen kehitt��misess�� Case:Sairaalan ateriaprosessi

Tutkielman tarkoituksena oli tutkia viestinn��n merkityst�� osaamisen kehitt��misess��. Tavoitteena oli tutkia, miten viestint�� edist���� ravitsemusosaamisen kehitt��mist�� sairaalan ateriaprosessissa. Tutkimuksessa etsittiin vastausta kysymyksiin, mitk�� ovat ravitsemusosaamisen kehitt��misen ja viestinn��n tavoitteet, mill�� ty��yhteis��viestinn��n foorumeilla uuden ravitsemushoitosuosituksen ja ravitsemushoidon strategian edellytt��mi�� muutoksia k��sitell����n ja millaisia ty��ss�� oppimisen prosesseja n��ill�� foorumeilla on tunnistettavissa. Empirian n��k��kulmasta tutkimusta voidaan kuvata tapaustutkimukseksi. Tapauksena on sairaalan ateriaprosessi. Tutkimuksen valmistelevana aineistona k��ytettiin uutta ravitsemushoitosuositusta (Nuutinen ym. 2010), jota t��ydennettiin haastatteluaineistolla. Tutkimuksessa ovat edustettuina hoitoty��n, ruokapalvelun ja ravitsemushoidon asiantuntemuksen n��k��kulmat sairaalasta sek�� ammatti- ja aikuisopistosta. Tutkimusmenetelm��n�� k��ytettiin teemahaastatteluja. Haastattelut nauhoitettiin ja litteroitiin tekstimuotoon. Aineisto analysoitiin teemakortiston ja teemoittelun avulla. Tutkimuksen tulokset osoittavat, ett�� ravitsemusosaamisen kehitt��misen tavoitteena on uuden ravitsemushoitosuosituksen ja ravitsemushoidon strategian edellytt��mien muutosten toteuttaminen sairaalan ravitsemushoidon prosesseissa ja tuotteissa. Ravitsemusosaamisen kehitt��misen tavoitteena on t��ss�� yhteydess�� ateriaprosessin ja ruokapalvelun tuotteiden eli ruokavalioiden kehitt��minen. Ravitsemushoidon kehitt��misen tarkoituksena on asiakkaiden toipumisen, el��m��nlaadun ja hyvinvoinnin edist��minen sek�� terveydenhuollon kustannusten s����st��minen. Viestinn��ll�� on t��rke�� merkitys ravitsemusosaamisen kehitt��misess��. Viestinn��n avulla edistet����n yksil��llist�� ja yhteist�� eli tiimioppimista vuorovaikutuksen kautta. Ruokapalvelu- ja hoitohenkil��st��n sek�� ravitsemushoidon asiantuntijoiden v��linen vuoropuhelu n��hd����n t��rke��n�� ravitsemusosaamisen kehitt��misess��. Vuoropuhelun avulla vahvistetaan ravitsemushoitoon liittyv���� tietopohjaa ja yhteist�� k��sitteist����. Tavoitteena on yhteisen kielen ja toimintamallin luominen ravitsemushoidon kehitt��miseen. Ravitsemushoitosuosituksen ja ravitsemushoidon strategian edellytt��mi�� muutoksia k��sitell����n ulkoisissa ja sis��isiss�� verkostoissa esimerkiksi ravitsemus-yhdyshenkil��verkoston tapaamisissa, moniammatillisissa ty��ryhmiss��, henkil��st��- ja oppisopimuskoulutuksissa sek�� ty��foorumilla eli fyysisess�� ty��tilassa ja hy��dynt��en viestint��teknologiaa. Hoitoty��n, ruokapalvelun ja ravitsemushoidon asiantuntijoilla/opettajilla on t��rke�� rooli ravitsemusosaamisen kehitt��miseen liittyv��ss�� ty��ss�� oppimisen ohjaamisessa. Ravitsemusosaamisen kehitt��misess�� on tunnistettavissa sosiaalisia, reflektiivisi��, kognitiivisia ja operationaalisia ty��ss�� oppimisen prosesseja. Sosiaalisia prosesseja ovat ty��kokemusten vaihdanta ja reflektiivisi�� niiden arviointi. Kognitiivisten prosessien tarkoitus on tiedonhankinta ja prosessointi, jolloin yhdistet����n kokemustietoa sek�� uutta ravitsemustieteellist�� tietoa. Tavoitteena on yhteisen kielen ja toimintamallin luominen, jota kokeillaan k��yt��nn��ss��. Operationaalisia prosesseja ovat fyysisess�� ty��tilassa tapahtuva kokeilemalla, tekem��ll�� ja soveltamalla oppiminen, jolloin uutta toimintamallia esimerkiksi vajaaravitsemuksen seulontaa, ateriatilausta tai reseptiikkaa kokeillaan k��yt��nn��ss��. Johtop����t��ksen�� voidaan todeta, ett�� sairaalassa on omaksuttu oppivan organisaation periaatteita ravitsemusosaamisen kehitt��misess��. Ravitsemusosaamisen kehitt��minen on yhteydess�� muutokseen, strategiaan, prosessien ja tuotteiden kehitt��miseen. Viestinn��n avulla edistet����n ravitsemushoitosuosituksen ja ravitsemushoidon strategian edellytt��mien muutosten toteuttamista sairaalan ateriaprosessissa ja ruokavalioissa. Hoito- ja ruokapalveluhenkil��st��n sek�� ravitsemushoidon asiantuntijoiden v��lisen vuoropuhelun tavoitteena on yhteisen kielen ja toimintamallin luominen ravitsemushoidon kehitt��miseen. Tutkimus palvelee ravitsemusosaamisen kehitt��mist�� sairaalan ateriaprosessissa. Tutkimuksen tuloksia on mahdollista k��ytt���� vertailuoppimismateriaalina terveydenhuollon organisaatioissa ja verkostoissa.

Vaccination Competence - The Concept and Evaluation

The purpose of this two-phase study was to define the concept of vaccination competence and assess the vaccination competence of graduating public health nurse students (PHN students) and public health nurses (PHNs) in Finland, with the goal of promoting and maintaining vaccination competence and developing vaccination education. The first phase of the study included semi-structured interviews with vaccination professionals, graduating PHN students and clients (a total of n=40), asking them to describe vaccination competence as well as the factors strengthening and weakening it. The data were analyzed through content analysis. In the second phase of the study, structured instruments were developed, and vaccination competence of PHN students (n=129) in Finland and PHNs (n=405) was assessed using a self-assessment scale (VAS) and taking a knowledge test. PHNs were used as a reference group, enabling us to determine whether a satisfactory level of vaccination competence was achieved by the end of studies, or whether it was gained through work experience vaccinating clients. The data were collected from five polytechnic institutions and seven health centers located in various parts of the country. The data were collected using instruments developed for this study, and were analyzed statistically. In the first phase, based on the results of the interviews, vaccination competence was defined as a large multi-faceted entity, including the concepts of competent vaccinator, competent implementation of the vaccination, and the outcome of the implementation. Semi-structured interviews revealed that factors strengthening and weakening vaccination competence were connected to the vaccinator, the client being vaccinated, the vaccination environment and vaccinator education. On the whole, factors strengthening and weakening vaccination were the opposite of each other. In the second phase, on the self-assessment of vaccination competence, students rated themselves as significantly lower than working professionals. On the knowledge test, the percentage of correct answers was lower for students than PHNs. When all background variables were taken into account in multivariate analysis, there was no longer a significant difference between the students and PHNs on the self-assessment. However, in multivariate analysis, the PHNs still performed better than students on the knowledge test. For this study, a satisfactory level of vaccination competence was defined as a mean of 8.0 on the self-assessment and 80% correct answers on the knowledge test. Based on these criteria, students almost reached the level of satisfactory in their overall self-assessment, and PHNs did. Both groups, however, did rank themselves as satisfactory in some sum variables. On the knowledge test the students did not achieve a level of satisfactory (80%) in their total score, though PHNs did. As before, both groups did achieve a level of satisfactory in several sum variables. Further research and development should focus on vaccination education, the testing of vaccination competence and vaccination practices in clinical practice, as well as on developing the measurement tools.

Competence in intensive and critical care nursing - development of a basic assessment scale for graduating nursing students

Intensive and critical care nursing is a speciality in its own right and with its own nature within the nursing profession. This speciality poses its own demands for nursing competencies. Intensive and critical care nursing is focused on severely ill patients and their significant others. The patients are comprehensively cared for, constantly monitored and their vital functions are sustained artificially. The main goal is to win time to cure the cause of the patient���s situation or illness. The purpose of this empirical study was i) to describe and define competence and competence requirements in intensive and critical care nursing, ii) to develop a basic measurement scale for competence assessment in intensive and critical care nursing for graduating nursing students, and iii) to describe and evaluate graduating nursing students��� basic competence in intensive and critical care nursing by seeking the reference basis of self-evaluated basic competence in intensive and critical care nursing from ICU nurses. However, the main focus of this study was on the outcomes of nursing education in this nursing speciality. The study was carried out in different phases: basic exploration of competence (phase 1 and 2), instrumentation of competence (phase 3) and evaluation of competence (phase 4). Phase 1 (n=130) evaluated graduating nursing students��� basic biological and physiological knowledge and skills for working in intensive and critical care with Basic Knowledge Assessment Tool version 5 (BKAT-5, Toth 2012). Phase 2 focused on defining competence in intensive and critical care nursing with the help of literature review (n=45 empirical studies) as well as competence requirements in intensive and critical care nursing with the help of experts (n=45 experts) in a Delphi study. In phase 3 the scale Intensive and Critical Care Nursing Competence Scale (ICCN-CS) was developed and tested twice (pilot test 1: n=18 students and n=12 nurses; pilot test 2: n=56 students and n=54 nurses). Finally, in phase 4, graduating nursing students��� competence was evaluated with ICCN-CS and BKAT version 7 (Toth 2012). In order to develop a valid assessment scale of competence for graduating nursing students and to evaluate and establish the competence of graduating nursing students, empirical data were retrieved at the same time from both graduating nursing students (n=139) and ICU nurses (n=431). Competence can be divided into clinical and general professional competence. It can be defined as a specific knowledge base, skill base, attitude and value base and experience base of nursing and the personal base of an intensive and critical care nurse. Personal base was excluded in this self-evaluation based scale. The ICCN-CS-1 consists of 144 items (6 sum variables). Finally, it became evident that the experience base of competence is not a suitable sum variable in holistic intensive and critical care competence scale for graduating nursing students because of their minor experience in this special nursing area. ICCN-CS-1 is a reliable and tolerably valid scale for use among graduating nursing students and ICU nurses Among students, basic competence of intensive and critical care nursing was self-rated as good by 69%, as excellent by 25% and as moderate by 6%. However, graduating nursing students��� basic biological and physiological knowledge and skills for working in intensive and critical care were poor. The students rated their clinical and professional competence as good, and their knowledge base and skill base as moderate. They gave slightly higher ratings for their knowledge base than skill base. Differences in basic competence emerged between graduating nursing students and ICU nurses. The students��� self-ratings of both their basic competence and clinical and professional competence were significantly lower than the nurses��� ratings. The students��� self-ratings of their knowledge and skill base were also statistically significantly lower than nurses��� ratings. However, both groups reported the same attitude and value base, which was excellent. The strongest factor explaining students��� conception of their competence was their experience of autonomy in nursing. Conclusions: Competence in intensive and critical care nursing is a multidimensional concept. Basic competence in intensive and critical care nursing can be measured with self-evaluation based scale but alongside should be used an objective evaluation method. Graduating nursing students��� basic competence in intensive and critical care nursing is good but their knowledge and skill base are moderate. Especially the biological and physiological knowledge base is poor. Therefore in future in intensive and critical care nursing education should be focused on both strengthening students��� biological and physiological knowledge base and on strengthening their overall skill base. Practical implications are presented for nursing education, practice and administration. In future, research should focus on education methods and contents, mentoring of clinical practice and orientation programmes as well as further development of the scale.

Searching for keys to successful post-merger integration : a longitudinal case-study following a public sector merger

Unsuccessful mergers are unfortunately the rule rather than the exception. Therefore it is necessary to gain an enhanced understanding of mergers and post-merger integrations (PMI) as well as learning more about how mergers and PMIs of information systems (IS) and people can be facilitated. Studies on PMI of IS are scarce and public sector mergers are even less studied. There is nothing however to indicate that public sector mergers are any more successful than those in the private sector. This thesis covers five studies carried out between 2008 and 2011 in two organizations in higher education that merged in January 2010. The most recent study was carried out two years after the new university was established. The longitudinal case-study focused on the administrators and their opinions of the IS, the work situation and the merger in general. These issues were investigated before, during and after the merger. Both surveys and interviews were used to collect data, to which were added documents that both describe and guide the merger process; in this way we aimed at a triangulation of findings. Administrators were chosen as the focus of the study since public organizations are highly dependent on this staff category, forming the backbone of the organization and whose performance is a key success factor for the organization. Reliable and effective IS are also critical for maintaining a functional and effective organization, and this makes administrators highly dependent on their organizations��� IS for the ability to carry out their duties as intended. The case-study has confirmed the administrators��� dependency on IS that work well. A merger is likely to lead to changes in the IS and the routines associated with the administrators��� work. Hence it was especially interesting to study how the administrators viewed the merger and its consequences for IS and the work situation. The overall research objective is to find key issues for successful mergers and PMIs. The first explorative study in 2008 showed that the administrators were confident of their skills and knowledge of IS and had no fear of having to learn new IS due to the merger. Most administrators had an academic background and were not anxious about whether IS training would be given or not. Before the merger the administrators were positive and enthusiastic towards the merger and also to the changes that they expected. The studies carried out before the merger showed that these administrators were very satisfied with the information provided about the merger. This information was disseminated through various channels and even negative information and postponed decisions were quickly distributed. The study conflicts with the theories that have found that resistance to change is inevitable in a merger. Shortly after the merger the (third) study showed disappointment with the fact that fewer changes than expected had been implemented even if the changes that actually were carried out sometimes led to a more problematic work situation. This was seen to be more prominent for routine changes than IS changes. Still the administrators showed a clear willingness to change and to share their knowledge with new colleagues. This knowledge sharing (also tacit) worked well in the merger and the PMI. The majority reported that the most common way to learn to use new ISs and to apply new routines was by asking help from colleagues. They also needed to take responsibility for their own training and development. Five months after the merger (the fourth study) the administrators had become worried about the changes in communication strategy that had been implemented in the new university. This was perceived as being more anonymous. Furthermore, it was harder to get to know what was happening and to contact the new decision makers. The administrators found that decisions, and the authority to make decisions, had been moved to a higher administrative level than they were accustomed to. A directive management style is recommended in mergers in order to achieve a quick transition without distracting from the core business. A merger process may be tiresome and require considerable effort from the participants. In addition, not everyone can make their voice heard during a merger and consensus is not possible in every question. It is important to find out what is best for the new organization instead of simply claiming that the tried and tested methods of doing things should be implemented. A major problem turned out to be the lack of management continuity during the merger process. Especially problematic was the situation in the IS-department with many substitute managers during the whole merger process (even after the merger was carried out). This meant that no one was in charge of IS-issues and the PMI of IS. Moreover, the top managers were appointed very late in the process; in some cases after the merger was carried out. This led to missed opportunities for building trust and management credibility was heavily affected. The administrators felt neglected and that their competences and knowledge no longer counted. This, together with a reduced and altered information flow, led to rumours and distrust. Before the merger the administrators were convinced that their achievements contributed value to their organizations and that they worked effectively. After the merger they were less sure of their value contribution and effectiveness even if these factors were not totally discounted. The fifth study in November 2011 found that the administrators were still satisfied with their IS as they had been throughout the whole study. Furthermore, they believed that the IS department had done a good job despite challenging circumstances. Both the former organizations lacked IS strategies, which badly affected the IS strategizing during the merger and the PMI. IS strategies deal with issues like system ownership; namely who should pay and who is responsible for maintenance and system development, for organizing system training for new IS, and for effectively run IS even during changing circumstances (e.g. more users). A proactive approach is recommended for IS strategizing to work. This is particularly true during a merger and PMI for handling issues about what ISs should be adopted and implemented in the new organization, issues of integration and reengineering of IS-related processes. In the new university an ITstrategy had still not been decided 26 months after the new university was established. The study shows the importance of the decisive management of IS in a merger requiring that IS issues are addressed in the merger process and that IS decisions are made early. Moreover, the new management needs to be appointed early in order to work actively with the IS-strategizing. It is also necessary to build trust and to plan and make decisions about integration of IS and people.

Kasvatus on kasvamaan saattamista. Kasvatusfilosofinen tutkimus J. A. Hollon sivistyskasvatusajattelusta

Tutkimukseni k��sittelee J. A. Hollon (1885���1967) sivistyskasvatusajattelua. Hollo oli monitoiminen kulttuurivaikuttaja, joka toimi kriitikkona, kirjailijana, suomentajana ja kasvatustieteilij��n��. H��nt�� voidaan pit���� J. V. Snellmanin rinnalla yhten�� merkitt��vimp��n�� suomalaisena kasvatusajattelijana. H��nen kasvatusajattelustaan ei ole kuitenkaan aiemmin tehty v��it��skirjatason tutkimusta. Tutkimuskysymykseni ovat seuraavat: 1. Millainen on Hollon n��kemys kasvatuksesta, kasvatuksen maailmasta ja kasvatuksen teoriasta? 2. Mik�� on Hollon k��sitys kasvattajan ja kasvatettavan merkityksest�� kasvatustapahtumassa? 3. Mit�� asioita sis��ltyy sivistyskasvatuksen eli kasvamaan saattamisen elementteihin? Tutkimukseni on kasvatusfilosofinen. Tutkimusmenetelm��ni on systemaattinen analyysi ja l��hestymistapani on hermeneuttinen. Tutkimukseni p����aineistona ovat Hollon kasvatusta koskevat kirjoitukset, joista t��rkeimm��t ovat Mielikuvitus ja sen kasvattaminen I-II (1918, 1919), Kasvatuksen maailma (1927), Kasvatuksen teoria (1927) ja Itsekasvatus ja el��misen taito (1931). Hollon mukaan kasvatuksen maailma on suhteellisen itsen��inen el��m��nmuoto (Lebensform), jolla on oma ontologinen erityislaatunsa, so. sui generis. Kasvatusoppia ei pid�� redusoida psykologiaan tai filosofiaan, koska sill�� tavoin se menett���� tieteellisen itsen��isyytens��. Hollon mielest�� kasvatuksen teoria on teoria k��yt��nt���� varten. Kasvatuksen teorian luomisessa tulee ottaa huomioon kasvatuksen maailman erityispiirteen�� oleva kokonaisvaltainen n��k��kulma ja el��m��n palvelemisen p����m����r��. Kasvattaminen on aina my��s eettist�� toimintaa. Kasvatuksen tavoitteena on hyv�� el��m��. Hollon mukaan kasvattajan teht��v�� on luoda kasvatettavalleen ehe�� sivistyksellinen perusta. T��m�� voi tapahtua vain laaja-alaisen sivistyskasvatuksen avulla, jonka runkona on antiikin humanistinen sivistysperinne. Sivistyskasvatukseen kuuluvat ��lyllinen, eettinen, uskonnollinen, esteettinen ja toiminnallinen kasvatus. Mielikuvituksen avulla kasvattaja voi yhdist���� kasvatuksen osa-alueet ehe��ksi kokonaisuudeksi. Ilman mielikuvitusta erilaiset ilmi��t olisivat pirstaleisina, toisistaan erillisin�� osina ihmisen mieless��. Opettajan persoona on merkitt��v�� tekij�� kasvatuksessa. Se tulee ottaa huomioon opettajankoulutuksen eli kasvattajan kasvattamisen valinnoissa. Opettaja-kasvattajan on t��rke���� opiskella laajasti humanistisia opintoja, koska kasvatuksessa on kysymys ihmisest��. Ennen kaikkea kasvattajan eettist�� ja esteettist�� kyky�� tulee harjoituttaa. N��in h��n oppii k��ytt��m����n mielikuvitustaan kasvatustapahtumassa siten, ett�� h��n tulee kasvatuksellisesti n��kev��ksi kasvamaan saattajaksi, joka ymm��rt���� sen, mik�� kussakin tilanteessa vaatii erityist�� huomiota. Tutkimukseni osoittaa, ett�� Hollon henkitieteellinen ja fenomenologis-hermeneuttinen kasvatusn��kemys ei ole vain vastaparadigma empiiriselle kasvatustieteelle, vaan my��s nykyajan teknis-taloudelliselle eetokselle, joka yht����lt�� uhkaa v��lineellist���� kasvatuksen ja toisaalta v����r��ll�� tavoin tieteellist���� kasvatuksen tutkimuksen. T��m��n takia kasvatusoppi kysymyksineen uhkaa siirty�� kasvatuskeskustelussa syrjemm��lle, jopa h��vit�� kokonaan. Kasvatuksen ja kasvatuksen tutkimuksen vaarana on niiden liiallinen sitouttaminen tuotantoel��m��n jatkeeksi, mink�� seurauksena on ihmisyyden toteuttamisen vaikeutuminen. Tutkimuksen lopuksi esit��n ideaalikoulun��kemykseni, joka perustuu osittain Hollon kasvatusn��kemykseen. Hollon n��kemys on yh�� ajankohtainen ja merkitt��v�� kontribuutio kasvatusta, sen teoriaa ja k��yt��nt���� koskevaan keskusteluun.

The Role of Universities in the Triple Helix model of innovation management within the biotechnology industry, Case example: Turku Science Park Network

Biotechnology has been recognized as the key strategic technology for industrial growth. The industry is heavily dependent on basic research. Finland continues to rank in the top 10 of Europe's most innovative countries in terms of tax-policy, education system, infrastructure and the number of patents issued. Regardless of the excellent statistical results, the output of this innovativeness is below acceptable. Research on the issues hindering the output creation has already been done and the identifiable weaknesses in the Finland's National Innovation system are the non-existent growth of entrepreneurship and the missing internationalization. Finland is proven to have all the enablers of the innovation policy tools, but is lacking the incentives and rewards to push the enablers, such as knowledge and human capital, forward. Science Parks are the biggest operator in research institutes in the Finnish Science and Technology system. They exist with the purpose of speeding up the commercialization process of biotechnology innovations which usually include technological uncertainty, technical inexperience, business inexperience and high technology cost. Innovation management only internally is a rather historic approach, current trend drives towards open innovation model with strong triple helix linkages. The evident problems in the innovation management within the biotechnology industry are examined through a case study approach including analysis of the semi-structured interviews which included biotechnology and business expertise from Turku School of Economics. The results from the interviews supported the theoretical implications as well as conclusions derived from the pilot survey, which focused on the companies inside Turku Science Park network. One major issue that the Finland's National innovation system is struggling with is the fact that it is technology driven, not business pulled. Another problem is the university evaluation scale which focuses more on number of graduates and short-term factors, when it should put more emphasis on the cooperation success in the long-term, such as the triple helix connections with interaction and knowledge distribution. The results of this thesis indicated that there is indeed requirement for some structural changes in the Finland's National innovation system and innovation policy in order to generate successful biotechnology companies and innovation output. There is lack of joint output and scales of success, lack of people with experience, lack of language skills, lack of business knowledge and lack of growth companies.

Creative brand launch in phamaceutical over-the-counter markets ��� case Burana

The purpose of this study is to examine how a launch of a pharmaceutical over-the-counter sold (OTC) brand can be done by using creative solutions and thus affecting the product life cycle. The study is inspired by a phenomenon called Burana. The Burana brand has been a market leader of OTC painkillers in Finland for the past 27 years. The aim of this study is to ���solve the mystery��� behind Burana brand���s success by focusing on the launch phase of Burana as an OTC medicine. Farmos Group Ltd (the owner of the brand in 1980��s) had not originally invented the product in question ��� ibuprofen ��� and the product had already reached it��s maturity phase, if not even decline from the product life cycle aspect when this phenomenon takes place. This has made the marketing choices, the product launch phase as well as the product management even more interesting from the company point of view as well as from a learning point of view. The methodology in this study is qualitative with a descriptive research strategy, while the study is conducted as a longitudinal single-case study. The methods used in this study have been collecting, analyzing and interpreting the data, which is based on the interviewees��� comments and observed behavior. According to the study, the successful launch phase helped in setting the product one step ahead of the competitors and thus aided the brand leadership and prolonged the product life cycle. Another notable aspect that became clear from the interviews and the documentary of Burana��s launch phase was the innovative idea of involving the people of the distribution chain into the product launch through education. As this study has pointed out, it is not enough to for a company to build an innovative team of employees, but also to offer them an involved and encouraging management. According to the interviews, the support from the company management gave the marketing team the encouragement to be innovative. It can be thus stated that the management of a company has an essential role in fostering the creativity within the company.

Key factors in transforming university internationalization into commercial activity in Finland. Case of University of Turku

Globalization, developments in ICT, emergence of knowledge society and other changes have reformed the environment for international higher education during the past few decades. Consequently, higher education sector has moved towards more marketing-oriented system, and universities have started to undertake commercial activities as part of their internationalization. This development has emerged to Finland as well, which forms the basis for this study. The purpose is to examine commercialization in Finnish university landscape and to investigate the ways Finnish university could capitalize its international activities and educational knowledge for export. The research question of the study is: What are the key factors in transforming university internationalization into commercial activity in the Finnish university landscape? The main problem is further divided into three sub-questions: 1) How can a university internationalize; 2) what are the motivational factors behind university internationalization and commercialization; and 3) how can higher education be developed into export services and products? The research was conducted as a qualitative case study of University of Turku. Methods used for gathering and examining data were interviewing and document analysis. Primary data was collected through four individual semi-structured interviews, which were conducted face-to-face. Secondary data that included reports, articles and electronic materials such as university web pages, was used to complement the primary data. The results were analyzed by theming the data into three broader categories of internationalization activities; drivers and motivations and; education export activities. After the data was organized in themes, analysis continued by comparing different parts of data and finding patterns that would explain the phenomenon in Finnish universities. According to the empirical data, University of Turku is currently on the growth state of internationalization with strategies such as internationalization of curriculum, establishment of international research groups, mobility of students and academics, international networking and support services. Commercialization phenomenon is still rather new to the case university, but it has already developed educational products and services for export. The study concludes that university internationalization cannot be directly transformed into commercial activities in the Finnish context, but the universities need to be active in actually creating educational products. The key factors found in this study include: 1) the Finnish government policies behind the current hype of export education; 2) the potential and knowledge capacity of universities for exports; 3) need for additional profits; 4) further internationalization through commercial activities; 5) recognizing and exploiting the specific areas of strength and 6) establishing of cooperative partnerships for better products.

ERP implementation in SMEs : Consultant ��� Client Views On Critical Success Factors

ERP system is now attracting the SMEs, as it is now economical and affordable for them. The current research emphasizes on ���how to make ERP successful for SMEs���. The researchers have identified various critical success factors in implementation of ERP. The research gap noticed by author is the missing point of view of ERP consultant. This thesis investigates the answer of research question ���What are the critical success factors in implementation of ERP system in SMEs in opinion of ERP consultants and acquiring organizations���. The purpose of this study is to identify the highly important and less important factors. The study results will suggest the ERP managers where they have to concentrate more in order to achieve success. Literature is reviewed in order to setup a base for empirical study. Aplenty of work is found related to CSFs, SMEs and ERP. The authors and factors are organized in form of a table that tells which author is agreed upon which factor. Final result of literature review is a list of 14 CSFs. The qualitative research methodology is used to investigate the ERP in Pakistani SMEs. A case study approach is selected because of unified nature of SMEs in Pakistan. A rice mill is selected as a case because it contains maximum SME attributes. The opinion of a Microsoft certified consultant is obtained by a semi-structured interview. Similarly a semi-structured interview is conducted with CIO of SME that acquired ERP. Both the interviewees are asked about all 14 factors, whether they are agree or not and why. The collected evidences then analyzed by tabulation. The factors upon which both the participants found agreed, taken as highly important. Similarly the factors upon which both participants found disagree, taken as less important. Study results present a grid with four quadrants, the CSFs highly important in opinion of both, the CSFs less important in opinion of both, CSFs important in opinion of consultant but not client, CSFs important in opinion of client but not consultant. In discussion part, the significance of each factor is discussed individually. It is discussed that why some factors are high/less important for SMEs in Pakistan. The study output communicates a message that the success of ERP system in SMEs is linked with careful management of five important factors, the project management, top management support, user training and education, consultant participation and ERP teamwork and composition. The ERP consultants and managers can divert their concentration from less important factors such as user involvement, culture readiness and ERP package selection, toward the highly important factors. The limitations of the study are small number of interviews and less people involved, provide an opportunity for future research in this field of information system.

Dynaamiset kyvykkyydet tulevaisuussuuntautuneessa innovaatiotoiminnassa

Tutkielman tarkoituksena oli tutkia dynaamisten kyvykkyyksien ja tulevaisuussuuntautuneen innovaatiotoiminnan yhteytt��. Dynaamiset kyvykkyydet luokiteltiin tutkielmassa sensing-, seizing- ja reconfiguring-kyvykkyyksiin. Tutkimus toteutettiin tapaustutkimuksena toisen asteen ammatillisen aikuiskoulutuksen toimialalla. Empiirinen aineisto ker��ttiin teemahaastatteluin, joita toteutettiin kahdeksan. T��rkein tutkimustulos oli, ett�� dynaamisia kyvykkyyksi�� hy��dynnet����n erityisesti mahdollisuuksien ja uhkien tunnistamisessa. Lis��ksi niit�� hy��dynnettiin jatkuvassa kehitt��misess��. Haasteeksi koettiin puolestaan ideoiden hy��dynt��miseen liittyvien dynaamisten kyvykkyyksien hy��dynt��minen. Lis��ksi tutkimus lis��si yleist�� ymm��rryst�� ammatillisen aikuiskoulutuksen innovaatiotoiminnasta ja dynaamisten kyvykkyyksist��.

Best practices of international double degree programmes. Case of Russian and European universities

The purpose of the Master���s thesis research is to study and disseminate the best practices of international double Master���s degree programmes organization, implementation and development. The given research is focused on two main areas: motivation of higher education institutions to start double degree programmes and best practices of double degree programme design and implementation from the perspective of building joint curriculum and organizing balanced mobility and development of existing programmes in terms of increasing their quality and attractiveness. This is a case study of the double degree programmes between Russian and European universities. The study findings reveal good developments in the field of double degree cooperation between Russian and European universities and a high motivation from both parties. The research depicts different models of building a joint curriculum and organizing academic mobility. The following areas could be outlined as development points for double degree programmes: - Personal interest and commitment of organizers of double degree programmes; - Comprehensive agreement between partners on different aspects and practicalities of the double degree programme implementation; - Promotion towards more balanced student participation and two-way mobility; - Foreign language skills improvement for students and university staff; - Joint strategy and actions in marketing and quality assurance; - Involvement of international companies; - Wider usage of e-learning technology.

Kun vaan rehtori on korvat auki. Koulun kehitt��misell�� pedagogista hyvinvointia

T��m��n tutkimuksen tarkoituksena on tutkia perusopetuksen rehtoreiden k��sityksi�� siit��, miten rehtori johtaa opettajakuntaansa ja koulua oppivan organisaation suuntaan. Tutkimus etsii vastauksia koulun kehitt��misen ja pedagogisen hyvinvoinnin yhtym��kohtiin. Tutkimus on perusopetuksen rehtoreiden keskuudessa Salossa tehty tapaustutkimus, jonka tiedonkeruu ajoittui vuosille 2008���2011. Tutkimuksen ensimm��inen osa oli tulevaisuusverstas (n=14). Verstaan pohjalta tutkimukselle syntyi teoreettinen viitekehys ja aineiston ker����mist�� jatkettiin puolistrukturoidulla teemahaastattelulla (n=14). Tulokset toimitettiin nettiportaaliin, jossa haastatteluun osallistuneilla rehtoreilla oli mahdollisuus kommentoida analyysia. Kun teoriaohjaava analyysi oli saatettu k��sitekarttojen muotoon, rehtorit osallistuivat palauteverstaaseen, miss�� ryhm��keskustelujen avulla validoitiin tutkimustuloksia. Tutkimuksen taustafilosofia on fenomenologia: se tutkii rehtoreiden havaintoihin ja kokemuksiin perustuvia k��sityksi�� tutkimusalueesta. Rehtoreiden k��sitykset oman koulunsa osaamisen tasosta perustuivat kokemusper��iseen tunteeseen, joka syntyy oman joukon tuntemisesta. Rehtorit eiv��t pystyneet j��rjestelm��llisesti selvitt��m����n, millaista osaamista ja osaamisen tarvetta koulussa on. Omaan toimintatapaansa rehtorit liittiv��t tunne��lyn, jonka avulla he kokivat voimaannuttavansa opettajakuntaansa opettajien itsens�� ja koko kouluorganisaation kehitt��misen suuntaan. Tutkimukseen osallistuneilla kouluilla ei ollut kirjoitettuja kehitt��mis-suunnitelmia ja -tavoitteita, mutta rehtorit sanoivat sellaisten olevan selvill�� heill�� itsell����n. Rehtorit totesivat, ett�� opettajien t��ydennyskouluttautuminen on l��hinn�� opettajien omista motivaatioista l��ht��isin eik�� se yksitt��isen�� tapahtumana kehit�� koulun kollektiivista osaamista ja oppivan organisaation syntymist��. Varsinaisia toimenpiteit�� oppivan organisaation kehitt��miseksi ei tehty. Rehtorit kuitenkin katsoivat pedagogisen hyvinvoinnin kokemuksen kehittyv��n koulussa. Rehtoreiden k��sitysten mukaan esimiehen tuki sek�� osaamisen kokemus vahvistavat hallinnan tunnetta, joka toimii hyvinvoinnin kokemuksen l��ht��kohtana. Pedagogisen hyvinvoinnin kokemukseen liittyy turvallinen ja avoin toimintakulttuuri. Rehtorit kuvailivat toimivansa eri opettajien kanssa eri tavoin. Rehtoreiden mukaan osaaminen, hallinnan tunne ja pedagoginen hyvinvointi muodostavat kolmikannan, mik�� noudattaa my��s aiempia DCS-teoriaan pohjautuvia tutkimustuloksia hallinnan tunteen ja hyvinvoinnin yhteydest��.

Contemporary marketing in the high-tech industry: Perceptions of Finnish IT marketing professionals

Over the last 30 years, new technologies and globalization have radically changed the way in which marketing is conducted. However, whereas their effects on business in general have been widely discussed, the focus of the effects on marketing remains without clear recognition. Global research has been made to shed light onto the issue, but it has widely concentrated on the views of executives as well as the consumer markets. In addition, a research gap is existent in applying the concept of marketing change in a specific business-to-business (B2B) industry. Therefore, the main research question this study seeks to answer is: ���How is contemporary marketing conducted in the high-technology industry?��� In this research, the researcher considers the specific industry of high-technology. However, as the industry is comprised of differing markets, the focus will be given to one of the industry���s prime sectors ��� the information technology (IT) markets, where companies offer other firms products or services manufactured with advanced technology. The growing IT-market is considered of critical importance in the economies of technologically ready countries such as Finland, where this research is also conducted. Through multiple case studies the researcher aims to describe how the changes in technology, customer engagement and future trends have shaped the way in which successful high-tech marketing is conducted in today���s marketplace. Then, results derived from the empirical research are presented to the reader with links to existing literature. As a conclusion, a generalized framework is constructed to depict and ideal marketer-customer relationship, with emphasis on dynamic, two-way communication and its supporting elements of customer analytics, change adaptation, strategic customer communication and organizational support. From a managerial point of view, the research may provide beneficial information as contemporary marketing can yield profitable outcomes if managed correctly. As a new way to grasp competitive advantage, strategic marketing is much more data-driven and customer-focused than ever before. The study can also prove to be relevant for the academic communities, while its results may act as inspiring for new focus on the education trends of future marketers. This study was limited to the internal activities done at the high-tech industry, leaving out the considerations for co-marketing, marketing via business partners or marketing at other B2B-industries.

S��hk��isen taloushallinnon vaikutukset tilitoimiston ty��skentelytapoihin Case-yrityksess��

T��m��n tutkielman tavoitteena oli selvitt����, mit�� mahdollisuuksia ja haasteita s��hk��inen taloushallinto tuo tilitoimistoille ja miten ne vaikuttavat ty��skentelyyn. Vaikka s��hk��isi�� taloushallinnon j��rjestelmi�� on tutkittu paljon jo aiemmin, viel�� ei kovin laajasti ole tarkasteltu sit��, miten ne k��yt��nn��ss�� vaikuttavat tilitoimistoihin. Tutkielma on luonteeltaan kvalitatiivinen ja se on toteutettu case-tutkimuksena lappeenrantalaisesta tilitoimistosta. Tutkimuksen teoria rakentuu aihetta k��sittelev��n kirjallisuuden perusteella ja empiria on ker��tty puolistrukturoiduilla teemahaastatteluilla. Haastatteluista saatuja tuloksia on verrattu kirjallisuudessa esitettyihin n��kemyksiin s��hk��isen taloushallinnon mahdollisuuksista ja haasteista sek�� s��hk��isen taloushallinnon vaikutuksista ty��skentelyyn. Tutkimuksessa selvisi, ett�� kirjallisuudessa ja k��yt��nn��ss�� s��hk��isen taloushallinnon tarjoamat mahdollisuudet ja haasteet sek�� niiden vaikutukset ty��skentelyyn eroavat toisistaan. Suurimpia mahdollisuuksia olivat ty��skentelyn parantunut tehokkuus, kustannuss����st��t sek�� saadun informaation parempi laatu. Teoriassa haasteiksi koettiin koulutuksen puute ja ty��ntekij��iden sek�� asiakkaiden muutosvastarinta. K��yt��nn��ss�� suurimman haasteen s��hk��isen taloushallinnon k��ytett��vyydelle kuitenkin aiheuttavat ohjelmistot ja niiden mukanaan tuomat ongelmat. S��hk��istymisen my��t�� kirjanpit��jist�� tulee teoriassa enemm��nkin konsultteja ja tilitoimistoissakin ty��skentelee erikseen esimerkiksi reskontranhoitajia. Tosiasiassa roolien muuttuminen ei kuitenkaan ole aivan itsest����n selv���� ja s��hk��isiin j��rjestelmiin siirtymisen odotetaan kest��v��n viel�� kauan.