Barriers of ESCO Service Business in Finland

The purpose of this study is to determine what are the key barriers hampering ESCO service business success in Finland. Research approach for this study is qualitative. Data was collected using Delphi method with two questionnaire rounds. Internet based tool was applied in carrying out questionnaires. Respondents of the questionnaires were ESCO service experts and researchers, and people working for ESCO service providers. Characteristics of ESCO service and ESCO project implementation are analyzed by using transaction costs theory of service business. In terms of ESCO service in Finland, uncertainty and asset specificity are relevant dimensions of TCE. General uncertainty in world’s economy hinders demand for ESCO service, and asset specificity of ESCO contracts induces slight problems for project financiers. Also bounded rationalism and opportunism are present in Finnish ESCO business. The most significant barriers of success of ESCO service in Finland are problems in legislative and political frameworks, and in customers’ investment processes. ESCO service providers should move more strongly towards service dominant business logic and improve understanding of customer needs. Political barriers are unsuitable procurement processes, unclear and unpredictable laws, and lack of compelling factors in subsidy system. Investment process hurdles are caused by customers’ lack of interest to change course of action. These are things in which ESCOs can have influence in.

The effects of location, feedstock availability, and supply-chain logistics on the greenhouse gas emissions of forest-biomass energy utilization in Finland

Forest biomass represents a geographically distributed feedstock, and geographical location affects the greenhouse gas (GHG) performance of a given forest-bioenergy system in several ways. For example, biomass availability, forest operations, transportation possibilities and the distances involved, biomass end-use possibilities, fossil reference systems, and forest carbon balances all depend to some extent on location. The overall objective of this thesis was to assess the GHG emissions derived from supply and energy-utilization chains of forest biomass in Finland, with a specific focus on the effect of location in relation to forest biomass’s availability and the transportation possibilities. Biomass availability and transportation-network assessments were conducted through utilization of geographical information system methods, and the GHG emissions were assessed by means of lifecycle assessment. The thesis is based on four papers in which forest biomass supply on industrial scale was assessed. The feedstocks assessed in this thesis include harvesting residues, smalldiameter energy wood and stumps. The principal implication of the findings in this thesis is that in Finland, the location and availability of biomass in the proximity of a given energyutilization or energy-conversion plant is not a decisive factor in supply-chain GHG emissions or the possible GHG savings to be achieved with forest-biomass energy use. Therefore, for the greatest GHG reductions with limited forest-biomass resources, energy utilization of forest biomass in Finland should be directed to the locations where most GHG savings are achieved through replacement of fossil fuels. Furthermore, one should prioritize the types of forest biomass with the lowest direct supply-chain GHG emissions (e.g., from transport and comminution) and the lowest indirect ones (in particular, soil carbon-stock losses), regardless of location. In this respect, the best combination is to use harvesting residues in combined heat and power production, replacing peat or coal.

Beauty for Sale - An Empirical Study of Appearance-Related Consumption in Finland

This study examines appearance-related consumption in Finland. The theoretical portion discusses appearance-related consumption, on one hand from a consumer culture perspective, as both a possibility and responsibility for everyone; and on the other hand, from the point of view of behaviour and attitudes associated with sociodemographic and lifestyle-related factors. The empirical part of the study concentrates on the following aspects: 1) Finns’ appearance-related consumption patterns, attitudes towards appearance-related consumption and attending to one’s looks through consumption, as well as general changes in consumption patterns and attitudes; 2) gender differences in attitudes and consumption patterns, and their possible changes over time, and; 3) other differences among population groups in attitudes and consumption patterns, and their possible changes over time. The following dissertation utilises data from seven different nationally representative surveys. Data include Finnish Household Budget surveys from 1998 (N=4 359), 2001 (N=5 495) and 2006 (N=4 007), as well as, The Everyday Life and Well-being Survey (N=908) collected in 2011, and Finland 1999 (N=2 417), Finland 2004 (N=3 574) and Finland 2009 (N=1 202) surveys. The study indicates that Finns’ relationship to appearance-related consumption is, generally, somewhat inconsistent. In Finland, a significant share of a household’s total spending, around the EU average, is allocated to products and services related to appearance. In addition, at an attitudinal level, physical appearance is important to most Finnish consumers. However, in many respects, these attitudes reflect a certain reservation towards appearance-related consumption practices. The number of those consumers who see themselves as truly dedicated to attending to their looks through consumption is quite small, whereas the amount of those willing to take a reserved or even negative attitude towards appearance-related consumption is clearly higher. Attitudes towards attending to one’s looks and the importance of appearance-related consumption had not changed during the past decade. Study shows that at present, appearance-related consumption is a form of consumption that is particularly important to women, younger consumers, people with middle or higher income, and those with normal weight. Gender is in the key role when explaining appearance-related consumption and contrary to common belief, gender differences seem to have stayed quite stable. The results also indicate that, to some extent, differences between younger and older age groups might be diminishing.

Aatehistoriallista ajattelua 1900-luvusta

Kirjallisuusarvostelu

Lithostratigraphy and age of pre-Late Weichselian sediments in the Suupohja area, western Finland

Different types of laterally extensive sand- and gravel-dominated deposits, up to several tens of metres thick, were investigated in the Suupohja area of western Finland. The studied sediments were deposited in glacial, ice-marginal, glaciofluvial, sea or lake, littoral and terrestrial environments during several glacial-non-glacial cycles. Seventeen pre-Late Weichselian and three Late Weichselian/Holocene sedimentary units were identified. These were divided into ten formally and two informally defined formations that were together termed the Suupohja Group. Every unit are nevertheless not detectable throughout the study area. The informally defined “Karhukangas lower deposits” represent the lowest units in the Suupohja Group. The Karhukangas lower deposits with 5 till units, 3 glaciolacustrine/-marine units and 2 sand units, were interpreted as having been deposited during possibly four glacial-non-glacial cycles before the Late Pleistocene Subepoch (MIS 6 or earlier). The Kankalo Sand above the Karhukangas lower deposits comprises glaciofluvial and aeolian sands of Late Saalian, Eemian or Early Weichselian origin (MIS 6–MIS 5c). The Kariluoma Till above the Kankalo Sand was possibly deposited during the Late Saalian glacial advance, although an Early Weichselian origin is also possible. The Harrinkangas Formation, with glaciofluvial and quiet-water sediments, is interpreted as having been deposited during the Late Saalian and Eemian Stages (MIS 6–MIS 5e). The uppermost units in the deposits studied, the Kodesjärvi Formation (shore deposit), Isojoki Sand (aeolian), Rävåsen Formation (glaciofluvial), Vanhakylä Formation (shore line deposit), Dagsmark Till and Kauhajoki Till, were deposited during the Weichselian Stage (MIS 5d–MIS 2). In addition, Early Holocene (MIS 1) eskers without till cover were informally termed the “Holocene esker deposits”. The Lumikangas Formation represents gravelly shore deposits formed in the Holocene Epoch, when these areas last emerged from the sea. The first Weichselian ice expansion possibly reached the western part of Suupohja in the Early Weichselian Substage (MIS 5d?), but it did not expand further to the east. The second Weichselian glaciation of relatively short duration occupied the southern part of Finland in the later part of Middle Weichselian (MIS 3). Thus, the southern half of the country remained ice-free for the majority (~65–75%) of the Weichselian Stage. Instead, both humid temperate and periglacial conditions alternated. In the initial part of Middle Weichselian, this area was partly submerged, which indicates eastward expansion of the Scandinavian ice sheet(s), depressing the lithosphere. The exceptionally thick sediment cover, multiple lithofacies, relict landscape and preserved preglacially weathered bedrock are evidence of weak glacial erosion in the Suupohja area during the latest as well as earlier glaciations, making this area one of the key areas in Quaternary research.

Polykarpus, Saima ja Minea – nimet vuosien 1900,1929 ja 2010 suomen- ja ruotsinkielisissä nimipäiväkalentereissa

Tämä tutkielman aiheena ovat etunimet suomalaisten almanakkojen nimipäiväkalentereissa. Aineisto muodostuu vuosien 1900, 1929 ja 2010 suomen- ja ruotsinkielisten nimipäiväkalentereiden nimistä. Tavoitteena on selvittää, miten suomen- ja ruotsinkielisten nimipäiväkalenterien nimet eroavat toisistaan ja miten nimistöt ovat muuttuneet vuosien 1900 ja 2010 välisenä aikana. Aineisto luokitellaan neljään eri ryhmään: omaperäisiin suomalaisiin, kirjoitusasultaan suomalaistettuihin, rakenteeltaan suomalaistettuihin ja vierasasuisiin nimiin. Osa nimistä on monitulkintaisia, eli ne voidaan sijoittaa useampaan kuin yhteen ryhmään, ja osa nimistä jää alkuperänsä epäselvyyden vuoksi kokonaan ryhmien ulkopuolelle. Luokittelu tapahtuu nimien etymologiasta kertovien teosten avulla.Tärkeimmät lähteet ovat Suomalaiset etunimet Aadasta Yrjöön (2007), Etunimet (2005), Suuri etunimikirja (2004), Förnamn i Sverige. Kortfattad namnlexikon (2004), Dagens namn (2000) ja Svenska förnamn. Kortfattat namnlexikon (1979). Tulokset osoittavat, että nimiryhmien suhteet vaihtelevat ajankohdan ja nimipäiväkalenterin kielen mukaan. Vuoden 1900 suomenkielisessä nimipäiväkalenterissa on vielä runsaasti vanhoja, vierasasuisia nimiä, mutta toisaalta suuri määrä suomalaistettuja nimiä erottaa suomenkielisen nimipäiväkalenterin ruotsinkielisestä. Tämän vuoden nimipäiväkalentereissa on kuitenkin eniten samassa asussa olevia nimiä. Vuoden 1929 suomenkielisessä nimipäiväkalenterissa suurin osa vierasasuisista nimistä korvautuu suomalaistetuilla ja omaperäisillä nimillä. Ruotsinkielisen nimipäiväkalenterin nimistä muutamat ovat omaperäisiä suomalaisia tai suomalaistettuja, mutta suurin osa on vierasasuisia, koska myös suosituiksi tulleet skandinaaviset nimet kuuluvat vierasasuisten ryhmään. Nimipäiväkalenterien nimet eroavat toisistaan huomattavasti enemmän kuin vuonna 1900. Vuoden 2010 suomenkielisessä nimipäiväkalenterissa vierasasuisten nimien osuus kasvaa, mutta on kuitenkin pienempi kuin omaperäisten suomalaisten nimien osuus ja suurimmaksi ryhmäksi yltävän rakenteeltaan suomalaistettujen nimien osuus. Myös monitulkintaisten nimien määrä kasvaa. Nimipäiväkalentereiden erot tasoittuvat hieman, mutta samassa asussa olevia nimiä on kuitenkin huomattavasti vähemmän kuin vuonna 1900. Suomen- ja ruotsinkielisten nimipäiväkalenterien laajimmat nimiperheet pohjautuvat paljolti samoihin nimiin, jotka ovat vanhoja ja yleisiä pyhimysnimiä. Nimiperheet kasvavat voimakkaasti tarkasteltuna ajanjaksona. Ruotsinkielisen nimipäiväkalenterin nimiperheet ovat kuitenkin suppeampia kuin suomenkielisen nimipäiväkalenterin nimiperheet. Suomenkielisen nimipäiväkalenterin nimiperheissä on paljon rakenteeltaan suomalaistettuja ja vierasasuisia jäseniä. Tulokset vahvistavat, että suomalaisten nimipäiväkalenterien nimissä heijastuvat eri aikakausien arvot ja aatteet, kuten kristillisyys, kansallisuusaate ja kansainvälisyyden sekä yksilöllisyyden arvostus.

Ekoenkät 2013 : Ekoproducenterna i Egentliga Finland flaggar för kvalitet och samarbete

MTK – Varsinais-Suomi, Egentliga Finlands ELY-centrals enhet för landsbygdstjänster samt ProAgria Länsi-Suomi skickade i början av 2013 till regionens lantbruksproducenter en enkät för att klarlägga ekoproducenternas synpunkter på rådgivnings- och myndighetsförfarandet i syfte att vidareutveckla verksamhetsbetingelserna för ekoproduktion. Enkäten var nyttig för man fick många förslag till förbättringsmöjligheter och sätt att utveckla samarbetsformerna. Det gavs rikligt med respons på kundservicens och myndighetsförfarandets kvalitet. Enligt denna enkät ligger fokus för förutsättningarna att utveckla ekoproduktionen särskilt på informationsspridning och informationsutbyte, marknadsföring och rådgivningstjänster samt förtydligande av myndighetsförfarandena. Inom samarbetsnätverket för ekoproduktion har förtroende en stor betydelse. Det skapar positiva och värdefulla resurser i form av socialt kapital och gagnar utvecklingen av den ekologiska produktionen i allmänhet och samarbetet mellan olika ekoaktörer. Ekoproducenternas centrala strävan är att arbeta för det finska jordbrukets bästa tillsammans med sakkunniga och myndigheter samt producera så högklassiga och rena livsmedel som möjligt för konsumenterna, skapa ett hållbart jordbruk samt göra konsumenterna medvetna om matens ursprung och kvalitet.