Public and private services

The research entity increases knowledge of changes in the service structures and their effect on the every-day life of consumers. More information is generally also produced regarding changes in service user preferences, alternative methods for households to produce and acquire services when the service structures change, and the effectiveness of political control measures on the market and consumer behaviour. Decision-makers and officials can utilise the research information in developing, targeting and assessing consumer-oriented policy actions. The municipal sector and companies that produce services for households can utilise the research result information in innovation and product development of consumer-oriented services. The research information is introduced into domestic and international theoretic-method discussion using scientific presentations and articles.

The focus area of changes and innovation of service structures assesses public and private services from the framework of the societal division of labour for producing them. Service innovation is promoted in a preliminary study that researches the current status, needs, and wishes for services that promote senior citizens’ ability to live at home. The field of private household services is developed by creating a service quality system where the Research Centre’s task is to produce essential quality criteria from the customers’ perspective. The consumption of household services and production transfers between the public, company, and household segments are reviewed in association with updating the household production satellite account.

The changes in use behaviour and significance to consumers’ every-day life focus area assesses, for example, the significance of the availability of services on the choice of residency in the study that researches the migration patterns of the capital metropolitan region. The EU project regarding consumer attitudes and choices when enjoying meals outside of their homes will be concluded in 2009.

The market functionality focus area will continue the three-year study, funded by the Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation, on the security and competitiveness of trade. An article book addressing the future of trade will be delivered during the year.

Projects

• Development of Residency Services of Apartment Building Village, preliminary study
• Quality is the Decisive Factor – innovation network as the developer of the household service industry

• Capital Metropolitan Region Migration Pattern Study
• The Productivity and Quality of Healthcare Centres
• Eating out: Habits, Determinants, and Recommendations for Consumers and the European Catering Sector (HECTOR, EU project)

• The Safety and Competitiveness of Trade
• The Trade for Everyone Article Collection

Programme manager

Hannu Kytö, Head of Research, tel. +358 10 605 9015, gsm +358 50 574 4839

Researchers

Helena Tuorila, Senior Researcher, tel. +358 10 605 9035
Jenni Väliniemi, Researcher, tel. +358 10 605 9039
Katri Koistinen, Senior Researcher (leave of absence)