Description
During this detailed file in regard to recent employment and entrepreneurship studies.
57
Työpoliittinen Aikakauskirja 4/2012 Recent Employment and Entrepreneurship Studies
Recent Employment and Entrepreneurship Studies
Pekka Stenholm and Satu Aaltonen
(2012). Fostering entrepreneurship with
the start-up grant: The effectiviness and
functionality of the start-up grant system.
Publications of the Ministry of Employ-
ment and Economy, Employment and en-
trepreneurship 36/2012.
This study focused on the effect of start-up
grant on new venture creation and survival
of start-ups. The opinions of individuals who
have received start-up grant were gathered by
internet-based surveys. A survey was sent to
individuals who had received start-up grant
during 2005–2010 (3 380 respondents). An-
other survey was done with individuals who
participated in a similar survey in 2006 and
2007 (247 respondents). The third survey
comprise the opinions of those specialists
involved with start-up grant decisions from
those making the grant decisions and the de-
cision preparers in the Employment and Eco-
nomic Development Of?ces, formulators of
specialist statements and other experts (e.g.
experts working in Finnvera Plc. and similar
organisations) (209 respondents).
The results indicate that the start-up grant
is perceived to have speeded up the start-
up process. More than half of respondents
experienced that the start-up grant was also
necessary in securing their personal income
during they were set out to become entrepre-
neurs, even if the grant was often criticised
as too small in amount. In addition, the start-
up grant seems to have an extended effect
on entrepreneurship – moral support and an
indication of the public sector’s eagerness
to foster entrepreneurship. Importantly, the
58
Recent Employment and Entrepreneurship Studies Työpoliittinen Aikakauskirja 4/2012
start-up grant positively in?uences the sur-
vival of new ventures especially during the
?rst four years.
Based on the study, the start-up grant sys-
tem can be regarded as an effective policy
measure. The assessment of the entire start-
up grant system is positive based on the
opinions of both experts and entrepreneurs.
The application process of the grant is seen
to be simple and the availability of informa-
tion and advice services is applauded among
entrepreneurs. On the other hand the mid-
term assessment related to the application of
extended grant was often seen too general
and timely-wise too early.
The results support the fact that the start-up
grant should be kept as support aimed at in-
dividuals instead of modifying it to become
a ?rm-level instrument. Experts’ opinions
were divided, when the question on start-up
grant’s role as in securing personal income
or as a support to start a new business, was
discussed. Experts see that the latter would
question the sensibleness of evaluating the
necessity of the grant in securing personal
income. Accordingly, the authors suggest
that in terms of securing the personal income
the requisites related to assessment of the
start-up grant should be critically examined.
Working group on modernization of the
Trademark Act (2012). Memorandum
on modernization of the Trademark Act.
Publications of the Ministry of Employ-
ment and the Economy, Employment and
entrepreneurship 38/2012.
The Ministry of Employment and the Econ-
omy appointed 28.3.2011 a working group
to consider necessary legislative changes
to revise the Trademark Act. The working
group determined that the most urgent need
for a reform in Trademark Law is associated
with the case law of the European Court of
Justice (ECJ) that has followed the national
implementation of the Trademark Directive.
Thus it was decided to limit the work pri-
marily to the review and modernization of
Chapter 1 of the Trademark Act. There are
also other issues that have been evaluated.
The working group also consulted the indus-
try to understand their positions to matters
at issue, as well as a compared trademark
law in the Nordic countries. The working
group’s proposal is intended to clarify the
structure and content of the Trademark Act,
Chapter 1. The working group proposes, in-
ter alia, amendments to the provisions of the
Trademark Act to better implement the pro-
visions of the directive concerning the scope
of protection, limitations and the protection
of well-known marks. The working group
also proposes for creation of possibility of
administrative annulment of unused marks.
The working group does not propose for
creating protection of regional trade marks
acquired through use, nor any changes to the
examination on registrability of trademarks
by the national Board of Patents and Regis-
tration. Contact
59
Työpoliittinen Aikakauskirja 4/2012 Recent Employment and Entrepreneurship Studies
Pirjo Vuorenpää and Helena Palmgren
(eds.) (2012). VeryNais – A project aimed
at developing women entrepreneurs’ well-
being at work, business competence and
substitute service system. Publications
of the Ministry of Employment and the
Economy, Employment and entrepreneur-
ship 42/2012.
The VeryNais project (2010–2012) involved
the development and testing of services sup-
porting women entrepreneurs’ well-being at
work and business competence, network-
ing, and service systems supporting work
ability and business activities. Organisation
and funding of an entrepreneurs’ substitute
service was also examined as part of the
project and concrete steps were taken to de-
velop such a substitute system. The project
was based on a study carried out by the Finn-
ish Institute of Occupational Health, which
showed the importance of women entre-
preneurs’ well-being at work for the pro?t-
ability of their companies (Palmgren et al.,
2010a, b).
A total of 203 women entrepreneurs from
the regions of Central Finland and Lapland
registered in the project. Their well-being
at work and business competence were
promoted by disseminating information,
by providing training services and services
aimed at improving well-being at work and
by organising events supporting network-
ing. The project involved the testing and
development of entrepreneurs’ occupational
health services and vocationally oriented
medical rehabilitation (ASLAK) tailored to
the needs of entrepreneurs. Business advi-
sors were trained to take care of their cus-
tomers’ work ability and direct them to occu-
pational health services. The substitute ser-
vice was developed by creating a model for
entrepreneurs allowing them to disengage
themselves from their work so that they can
develop their companies and business com-
petence and their well-being at work.
The project results show that women en-
trepreneurs need support in the development
of their work ability and business compe-
tence and bene?t from the services tested
as part of the project. After the conclusion
of the two-year project, the women entre-
preneurs noticed that there had been a clear
improvement in their work ability, while
at the same time they required less help in
the development of their business compe-
tence. The women entrepreneurs were of the
opinion that the project had particularly im-
proved their well-being and helped them to
strengthen their networks. The participants
viewed ASLAK rehabilitation as the most
useful service offered as part of the project.
In order to ensure entrepreneurs’ work
ability and their ability to continue their
businesses and to ensure that they can cope
with their work, entrepreneurs should be en-
couraged to use occupational health services
and support should be provided so that they
can access rehabilitation maintaining their
work ability. The entrepreneurs’ substitute
service system can help entrepreneurs to
develop their business operations and well-
being. The substitute service should ?rst be
offered to self-employed persons and, in or-
der to increase its attractiveness, it should be
launched as a model based on tax incentives.
In addition to individual services, the kind
of comprehensive support provided as part
of the project service concept should also be
offered to women entrepreneurs in the fu-
ture. Development of service systems sup-
porting work ability and business activities
and cooperation between their representa-
tives at regional and local level play a key
role in this respect. Positive experiences of
the integration of well-being at work into
60
Recent Employment and Entrepreneurship Studies Työpoliittinen Aikakauskirja 4/2012
business advisory activities encourage the
strengthening of cooperation, particularly
between business advisory services and oc-
cupational health services. There is also a
continuous need for projects supporting en-
trepreneurship. They activate entrepreneurs
for development and networking. At their
best, they generate shared learning, which
helps the positive impacts of the project to
outlive the project itself.
doc_287650800.pdf
During this detailed file in regard to recent employment and entrepreneurship studies.
57
Työpoliittinen Aikakauskirja 4/2012 Recent Employment and Entrepreneurship Studies
Recent Employment and Entrepreneurship Studies
Pekka Stenholm and Satu Aaltonen
(2012). Fostering entrepreneurship with
the start-up grant: The effectiviness and
functionality of the start-up grant system.
Publications of the Ministry of Employ-
ment and Economy, Employment and en-
trepreneurship 36/2012.
This study focused on the effect of start-up
grant on new venture creation and survival
of start-ups. The opinions of individuals who
have received start-up grant were gathered by
internet-based surveys. A survey was sent to
individuals who had received start-up grant
during 2005–2010 (3 380 respondents). An-
other survey was done with individuals who
participated in a similar survey in 2006 and
2007 (247 respondents). The third survey
comprise the opinions of those specialists
involved with start-up grant decisions from
those making the grant decisions and the de-
cision preparers in the Employment and Eco-
nomic Development Of?ces, formulators of
specialist statements and other experts (e.g.
experts working in Finnvera Plc. and similar
organisations) (209 respondents).
The results indicate that the start-up grant
is perceived to have speeded up the start-
up process. More than half of respondents
experienced that the start-up grant was also
necessary in securing their personal income
during they were set out to become entrepre-
neurs, even if the grant was often criticised
as too small in amount. In addition, the start-
up grant seems to have an extended effect
on entrepreneurship – moral support and an
indication of the public sector’s eagerness
to foster entrepreneurship. Importantly, the
58
Recent Employment and Entrepreneurship Studies Työpoliittinen Aikakauskirja 4/2012
start-up grant positively in?uences the sur-
vival of new ventures especially during the
?rst four years.
Based on the study, the start-up grant sys-
tem can be regarded as an effective policy
measure. The assessment of the entire start-
up grant system is positive based on the
opinions of both experts and entrepreneurs.
The application process of the grant is seen
to be simple and the availability of informa-
tion and advice services is applauded among
entrepreneurs. On the other hand the mid-
term assessment related to the application of
extended grant was often seen too general
and timely-wise too early.
The results support the fact that the start-up
grant should be kept as support aimed at in-
dividuals instead of modifying it to become
a ?rm-level instrument. Experts’ opinions
were divided, when the question on start-up
grant’s role as in securing personal income
or as a support to start a new business, was
discussed. Experts see that the latter would
question the sensibleness of evaluating the
necessity of the grant in securing personal
income. Accordingly, the authors suggest
that in terms of securing the personal income
the requisites related to assessment of the
start-up grant should be critically examined.
Working group on modernization of the
Trademark Act (2012). Memorandum
on modernization of the Trademark Act.
Publications of the Ministry of Employ-
ment and the Economy, Employment and
entrepreneurship 38/2012.
The Ministry of Employment and the Econ-
omy appointed 28.3.2011 a working group
to consider necessary legislative changes
to revise the Trademark Act. The working
group determined that the most urgent need
for a reform in Trademark Law is associated
with the case law of the European Court of
Justice (ECJ) that has followed the national
implementation of the Trademark Directive.
Thus it was decided to limit the work pri-
marily to the review and modernization of
Chapter 1 of the Trademark Act. There are
also other issues that have been evaluated.
The working group also consulted the indus-
try to understand their positions to matters
at issue, as well as a compared trademark
law in the Nordic countries. The working
group’s proposal is intended to clarify the
structure and content of the Trademark Act,
Chapter 1. The working group proposes, in-
ter alia, amendments to the provisions of the
Trademark Act to better implement the pro-
visions of the directive concerning the scope
of protection, limitations and the protection
of well-known marks. The working group
also proposes for creation of possibility of
administrative annulment of unused marks.
The working group does not propose for
creating protection of regional trade marks
acquired through use, nor any changes to the
examination on registrability of trademarks
by the national Board of Patents and Regis-
tration. Contact
59
Työpoliittinen Aikakauskirja 4/2012 Recent Employment and Entrepreneurship Studies
Pirjo Vuorenpää and Helena Palmgren
(eds.) (2012). VeryNais – A project aimed
at developing women entrepreneurs’ well-
being at work, business competence and
substitute service system. Publications
of the Ministry of Employment and the
Economy, Employment and entrepreneur-
ship 42/2012.
The VeryNais project (2010–2012) involved
the development and testing of services sup-
porting women entrepreneurs’ well-being at
work and business competence, network-
ing, and service systems supporting work
ability and business activities. Organisation
and funding of an entrepreneurs’ substitute
service was also examined as part of the
project and concrete steps were taken to de-
velop such a substitute system. The project
was based on a study carried out by the Finn-
ish Institute of Occupational Health, which
showed the importance of women entre-
preneurs’ well-being at work for the pro?t-
ability of their companies (Palmgren et al.,
2010a, b).
A total of 203 women entrepreneurs from
the regions of Central Finland and Lapland
registered in the project. Their well-being
at work and business competence were
promoted by disseminating information,
by providing training services and services
aimed at improving well-being at work and
by organising events supporting network-
ing. The project involved the testing and
development of entrepreneurs’ occupational
health services and vocationally oriented
medical rehabilitation (ASLAK) tailored to
the needs of entrepreneurs. Business advi-
sors were trained to take care of their cus-
tomers’ work ability and direct them to occu-
pational health services. The substitute ser-
vice was developed by creating a model for
entrepreneurs allowing them to disengage
themselves from their work so that they can
develop their companies and business com-
petence and their well-being at work.
The project results show that women en-
trepreneurs need support in the development
of their work ability and business compe-
tence and bene?t from the services tested
as part of the project. After the conclusion
of the two-year project, the women entre-
preneurs noticed that there had been a clear
improvement in their work ability, while
at the same time they required less help in
the development of their business compe-
tence. The women entrepreneurs were of the
opinion that the project had particularly im-
proved their well-being and helped them to
strengthen their networks. The participants
viewed ASLAK rehabilitation as the most
useful service offered as part of the project.
In order to ensure entrepreneurs’ work
ability and their ability to continue their
businesses and to ensure that they can cope
with their work, entrepreneurs should be en-
couraged to use occupational health services
and support should be provided so that they
can access rehabilitation maintaining their
work ability. The entrepreneurs’ substitute
service system can help entrepreneurs to
develop their business operations and well-
being. The substitute service should ?rst be
offered to self-employed persons and, in or-
der to increase its attractiveness, it should be
launched as a model based on tax incentives.
In addition to individual services, the kind
of comprehensive support provided as part
of the project service concept should also be
offered to women entrepreneurs in the fu-
ture. Development of service systems sup-
porting work ability and business activities
and cooperation between their representa-
tives at regional and local level play a key
role in this respect. Positive experiences of
the integration of well-being at work into
60
Recent Employment and Entrepreneurship Studies Työpoliittinen Aikakauskirja 4/2012
business advisory activities encourage the
strengthening of cooperation, particularly
between business advisory services and oc-
cupational health services. There is also a
continuous need for projects supporting en-
trepreneurship. They activate entrepreneurs
for development and networking. At their
best, they generate shared learning, which
helps the positive impacts of the project to
outlive the project itself.
doc_287650800.pdf