Study title

Finnish Local Government 2004: Non-Governmental Organisations 2002

Dataset ID Number

FSD2267

Persistent identifier

urn:nbn:fi:fsd:T-FSD2267

Data Type

Quantitative

Authors

• Helander, Voitto (Åbo Akademi University)

Abstract

In this study, the activities of various non-governmental and voluntary organisations (third sector organisations) were surveyed. The topics included their financing, members, means of influencing, and forms of activity.

First, the respondents were asked about their organisations' area of operation, membership in a nationwide union or association, cooperation with other organisations and central organisations, motive for action, and focus of activity. Some questions concentrated on the members in the organisations and their number and nature (i.e. whether they were individuals or communities), their age and sex distribution, and changes in their number and activity. The respondents were also asked about the number of full-time and part-time employees working in the organisation, as well as the number of employees hired with the help of employment subsidies. In addition, the respondents evaluated the distribution of work load among the employees.

Further questions covered the economy of the organisations. The respondents gave their views on their organisations' expenditure, sources of income, and financial and non-financial support. They were also asked whether their organisations owned a company, foundation, premises, or other properties or shares, and whether their organisations had received facilities at their disposal for free or under the market price.

The respondents gave their opinions on their organisations' interaction and intra-action. Questions focused on the organisations' elected officials, means of influencing municipal decision-making, and relations with municipal decision-makers. The respondents were also asked to evaluate how many issues their organisations and the organisations in their municipality strive to influence in a year, as well as how successful these ambitions had been in the past. Views on cooperation with other organisations and parties were also probed.

In relation to service provision, the respondents were asked about their organisations' cooperation with municipality as regards service provision, competition, and service quality control. Further questions focused on voluntary activities. The organisations' participation in joint ventures and its role/roles in society were queried. Lastly, the respondents were presented with a set of statements relating to their organisations' activities as service and voluntary activity providers.

Background variables included size of municipality, and the organisation's language and classification.

Keywords

associations; cooperation; decision making; financing; local government officers; local government services; membership; municipalities; organizations; participation; social economy; social influence; voluntary work

Topic Classification

• Social sciences (Fields of Science Classification)
• Government, political systems and organisations (CESSDA Topic Classification)

Series

Finnish Local Government 2004

Distributor

Finnish Social Science Data Archive

Access

The dataset is (B) available for research, teaching and study.

Data Collector

• Helander, Voitto (Åbo Akademi University. Department of Public Administration)
• Pikkala, Sari (Åbo Akademi University. Department of Public Administration)

Data Producers

• Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities

Time Period Covered

2002

Collection Dates

Late 2002 ( 2002 )

Nation

Finland

Geographical Coverage

Finland, Espoo, Haukipudas, Humppila, Hämeenlinna, Iitti, Jaala, Joroinen, Kaarina, Karstula, Kemiö, Kerava, Kiikala, Kokkola, Kolari, Kotka, Kristiinankaupunki, Kuhmoinen, Lappeenranta, Leppävirta, Lieksa, Liljendal, Lumijoki, Mikkeli, Multia, Naantali, Noormarkku, Närpiö, Oulainen, Outokumpu, Padasjoki, Pieksämäki, Porvoon maalaiskunta, Pudasjärvi, Punkaharju, Pyhäntä, Pylkönmäki, Ranua, Rääkkylä, Sonkajärvi, Suolahti, Tyrnävä, Vaasa, Vahto, Varkaus, Vehkalahti, Vimpeli, Virrat

Analysis/Observation Unit Type

Organization/Institution

Universe

The registered organisations in project municipalities

Time Method

Longitudinal: Trend/Repeated cross-section

Sampling Procedure

Probability: Multistage

The municipalities in the Finnish Local Government 2004 research project were selected separately from those with less than 10,000 inhabitants (28 municipalities) and from those with more than 10,000 inhabitants (19 municipalities). The selection aimed to be representative within both groups in relation to all municipalities with the same population size. Large municipalities were over-represented because 70% of the Finnish population lives in large municipalities. Representativeness criteria included regional location, age and education of the population, industry structure, municipal economy parameters, political situation and variables related to municipal policy. The selected municipalities form a small scale model of all Finnish municipalities. The Åland Islands municipalities were excluded because of special features resulting from Åland's autonomy.

The questionnaire was sent to all registered organisations in the selected municipalities. 2,686 organisations responded.

Collection Mode

Self-administered questionnaire: Paper

Research Instrument

Structured questionnaire

Response Rate

42

Data File Language

Downloaded data package may contain different language versions of the same files.

The data files of this dataset are available in the following languages: Finnish.

FSD translates quantitative data into English on request, free of charge. More information on ordering data translation.

Data Version

1.1

Completeness of Data and Restrictions

The data include two variables describing the organisations' classification or type.

The variables indicating municipality and the names of the organisations have been removed from the data.

Weighting

There are no weight variables in the data.

Citation Requirement

The data and its creators shall be cited in all publications and presentations for which the data have been used. The bibliographic citation may be in the form suggested by the archive or in the form required by the publication.

Bibliographical Citation

Helander, Voitto (Åbo Akademi University): Finnish Local Government 2004: Non-Governmental Organisations 2002 [dataset]. Version 1.1 (2008-11-13). Finnish Social Science Data Archive [distributor]. https://urn.fi/urn:nbn:fi:fsd:T-FSD2267

Deposit Requirement

Notify FSD of all publications where you have used the data by sending the citation information to user-services.fsd@tuni.fi.

Disclaimer

The original data creators and the archive bear no responsibility for any results or interpretations arising from the reuse of the data.

Related Materials

Helander, Voitto (2004). Paikallisyhdistykset kunta-areenalla. Voimavarat, edunvalvonta, palvelutuotanto ja yhteisöllisyyden ylläpito. Helsinki: Suomen Kuntaliitto. KuntaSuomi 2004 -tutkimuksia nro 45.

Related Publications

Helander, Voitto & Pikkala, Sari & Sandberg, Siv & Grönholm, Sam (2003): Päättäjien areenat ja yhteydet. Helsinki: Suomen Kuntaliitto. KuntaSuomi 2004 -tutkimuksia nro 42 & Acta nro 161.

Helander, Voitto (2004): Paikallisyhdistykset kunta-areenalla. Voimavarat, edunvalvonta, palvelutuotanto ja yhteisöllisyyden ylläpito. Helsinki: Suomen Kuntaliitto. KuntaSuomi 2004 -tutkimuksia nro 45.

Zur, Roi. (2019). Stuck in the middle: Ideology, valence and the electoral failures of centrist parties. British Journal of Political Science, 1-18. doi:10.1017/S0007123419000231