Authors

• Centre for Finnish Business and Policy Studies (EVA)
• Yhdyskuntatutkimus

Keywords

European integration, attitudes, environment, expectation, exports and imports, foreigners, future, international cooperation, international trade, internationalization, liberalism, national economy, politics, welfare

Abstract

The survey studied the attitudes and values of Finnish company managers, using the same set of questions as the EVA Survey on Finnish Values and Attitudes 1990 (FSD1082). Background variables differ. Respondents were asked to what extent they agree with statements relating to e.g. politics, economy, welfare, internationalization, business life, democracy, Finnish society and national characteristics, environmental issues, liberalism, employment policy, foreign policy and foreigners. Opinions on the likely consequences of internationalization were studied: will it lower prices, improve business conditions, endanger Finland's independence, increase immigration to Finland, etc. Respondents were asked whether European integration would be beneficial or disadvantageous to Finnish welfare, exports, business life, price level, employment, social security, etc. Changes in the intellectual atmosphere over the past few years were surveyed.

One question asked on which geographical regions Finland should concentrate its co-operation in trade, culture and contacts between citizens. Opinions on what kind of products Finland will export in future and the extent of influence of various bodies (e.g. armed forces, trade unions, political parties, universities) were investigated.

Background variables included respondents' sex, age, company location (province), number of employees, extent of operations (home/export markets), degree of internationalization and how European economic integration will affect the company.