Authors

• Blom, Raimo (University of Tampere. Department of Sociology and Social Psychology)
• Melin, Harri (University of Tampere. Department of Sociology and Social Psychology)
• Pietiläinen, Jukka (University of Tampere. Department of Journalism and Mass Communication)

Keywords

citizen participation, decision making, democracy, families, identity, mass media, newspaper press, radio (joukkoviestimet), social change, standard of living, television, trust, working conditions

Abstract

Social change in Russian Karelia was surveyed by asking residents of Petrozavodsk, Konopoga and Preaza questions about their work, financial circumstances, media use and experiences of change.

Work and working conditions were charted by questions pertaining to the respondents' workplace, employment contract, second job, work autonomy, physical and mental strenuousness of work, work equipment, decision-making in the workplace, and the correspondence between education and work. Further questions covered the respondents' financial situation, livelihood, income, welfare benefits, and standard of living.

Some questions charted the respondents' opinions on democracy and civic participation, as well as on the power of various decision-making bodies. They were also asked how much autonomy Karelian authorities should have from Moscow. The respondents' trust in various institutions, organisations and groups was examined, as well as their participation in various organisations. They were also presented with a set of attitudinal statements on income disparity, willingness to work, leadership, decision-making, equality, policy, causes of poverty, prerequisites for success, national identity, and the roles of the state and the individual. In addition, the respondents' trips abroad were canvassed.

The use and influence of the media were studied. The respondents were asked how often they watched television, listened to the radio, read different newspapers, and how they obtained these newspapers. They were also asked which sources of information they used to get news, what kind of influence they thought the media have on public sentiment, and whether they had been in contact with representatives of the media. Some questions pertained to whether the respondents were going to vote in the upcoming elections of the Head of the Republic of Karelia, and who they would like to see elected. Satisfaction with the Karelian media was surveyed, as well as computer, mobile phone and Internet use.

Background variables included the respondent's gender, age group, year of birth, marital status, number of children, household size, education, occupation, industry of employment, working hours, size of workplace, gross income, type of accommodation, nationality, and spouse's occupation.