Heat energy entrepreneurship is a new way of organizing municipal heating service. In heat energy... more Heat energy entrepreneurship is a new way of organizing municipal heating service. In heat energy entrepreneurship the public service is privatized and taken care of by a heat entrepreneur or heat enterprise. A heat entrepreneur or heat enterprise can be a single entrepreneur, entrepreneur consortium, Limited Liability Company or cooperative providing heating service for a community. At the end of the year 2004 the number of energy entrepreneurship based heating plants in Finland was 252 with a total solid fuel boiler capacity of 130 MW th . The number is growing rapidly and according to TTS Institute the estimated potential is about 900 plants with a total output of 300 MW th . In this paper heat energy entrepreneurship framework and decision-making are analysed by using heat energy contracts as research material. Firstly we present two alternative management models of heat energy entrepreneurship in Finland: 1) the public-private partnership model and 2) the private investment and management model. The public-private partnership model is based on the joint effort or mixed responsibilities of both the municipality and the entrepreneur who together ensure the provision of heat for the customer. In the private investment and management model, the entrepreneur or enterprise alone invests both in the heating plant and network and produces energy for the customer. Secondly, privatization of municipal heating service is discussed in terms of a) the socio-economic aspects, including impacts in municipal financing, employment and income, and b) contractual conditions focusing on heat pricing mechanisms. Finally, attention is also paid to future possibilities to develop heat energy entrepreneurship in Finland.
Pohjoiskarjalaisten pk-yritysten markkinointiosaamisen kartoittaminen -hankkeen tavoitteena oli k... more Pohjoiskarjalaisten pk-yritysten markkinointiosaamisen kartoittaminen -hankkeen tavoitteena oli kartoittaa pohjoiskarjalaisten pk-yritysten markkinointiosaamisen tasoa. Aikaisemmissa akateemisissa tutkimuksissa markkinointiosaamisen on havaittu olevan merkittävässä roolissa pienten yritysten menestyksessä ja useat yritysten epäonnistumiset markkinoilla johtuvat usein huonosta markkinointiosaamisesta. Markkinointi muodostaakin yhden suurimmista haasteista, joita pk-yrityksissä kohdataan. Tästä syystä tämän tutkimushankkeen toteuttaminen oli erittäin tärkeää. Hanke toteutettiin kokonaisuudessaan Euroopan Sosiaalirahaston (ESR) tuella. Haluamme kiittää Euroopan Sosiaalirahastoa ja Itä-Suomen Lääninhallitusta tutkimuksen toteutuksen mahdollistaneesta rahoituksesta. Lisäksi haluamme osoittaa kiitokset kyselyyn vastanneille pohjoiskarjalaisille pk-yrityksille sekä projektin yhteistyökumppaneille Joensuun Seudun Kehittämisyhtiö Josek Oy:lle ja Joensuun Tiedepuistolle, sekä heidän edustajilleen hankkeeseen ja hankkeen ohjausryhmätoimintaan osallistumisesta. Tämän hankkeen tulokset kannustavat valmistelemaan jatkohanketta pohjoiskarjalaisten pkyritysten markkinointiosaamisen konkreettiseksi kehittämiseksi. Koulutuksen, henkilökohtaisen neuvonnan ja yksinkertaisten räätälöityjen työkalujen avulla voidaan kehittää näiden yritysten kykyä parantaa markkina-asemaansa ja kannattavuuttaan. Yhteistyö alueen pk-yritysten ja muiden elinkeinoelämää edustavien tahojen kanssa on erittäin tärkeää, kun jatkohanketta valmistellaan ja toteutetaan. Joensuu, kesäkuu 2009
This paper analyzes the efficiency of betting markets in harness horse racing during the transiti... more This paper analyzes the efficiency of betting markets in harness horse racing during the transition from on-track betting to Internet gambling. In order to test the market efficiency hypotheses, an alternative testing approach to other grouping methods is introduced. The betting market efficiency is tested by using a database accumulated from the Finnish harness horse racing. The results imply that the markets are weakly efficient but characterised by the favourite-longshot bias. However, convincing evidence for other gambling market anomalies such as the end of the day effect or the gambler’s fallacy is not found.
Disordered Internet gambling is a psychological disorder that represents an important public heal... more Disordered Internet gambling is a psychological disorder that represents an important public health issue due to the increase in highly available and conveniently accessible Internet gambling sites. Chasing losses is one of the few observable markers of at-risk and problem gambling that may be used to detect early signs of disordered Internet gambling. This study examined loss chasing behaviour in a sample of Internet casino and poker players and the socio-demographic variables, irrational beliefs, and gambling behaviours associated with chasing losses. An online survey was completed by 10,838 Internet gamblers (58% male) from 96 countries. The results showed that Internet casino players had a greater tendency to report chasing losses than poker players and gamblers who reported chasing losses were more likely to hold irrational beliefs about gambling and spend more time and money gambling than those who reported that they were unaffected by previous losses. Gamblers who played for excitement and to win money were more likely to report chasing losses. This study is one of the largest ever studies of Internet gamblers and the results are highly significant as they provide insight into the characteristics and behaviours of gamblers using this mode of access.
This paper uses three different approaches for measuring the tightness of competition in the glob... more This paper uses three different approaches for measuring the tightness of competition in the global pulp and paper markets. First, we evaluate the market shares of the world's largest pulp and paper companies. Second, we estimate the price elasticities of the export demand for pulp and paper. Third, we test the Law of One Price. All three approaches suggest that the pulp and paper markets are competitive in the sense that a single firm, no matter how large, cannot increase the price of its products without losing market shares and experiencing a fall in total revenues.
There is an insufficient understanding of consumer attitudes towards Internet gambling, which con... more There is an insufficient understanding of consumer attitudes towards Internet gambling, which contributes to difficulties in developing policies to encourage the use of regulated online gambling sites. This research aimed to generate knowledge about consumer attitudes towards online gambling, specifically concerning the issues of player protection, regulation, and responsible gambling. An online survey was completed by 10,838 online casino and poker players from 96 countries. Responsible gambling features were generally viewed positively, particularly by casino game players, those who chased losses, and younger adults. Over one-third of participants reported having experienced a dispute with an online gambling operator. Respondents reported high levels of mistrust and concerns regarding online gambling and confusion regarding the appropriate regulation of Internet gambling. Consumer attitudes play a significant role in driving behavior and must be considered if regulators and operators are to effectively encourage online gamblers to use regulated gambling sites that include consumer protection and harm minimization measures. The results suggest that responsible gambling features, such as the ability to set spending limits, should be implemented on Internet gambling sites to increase consumer trust and favorable attitudes towards online gambling operators, and reduce disputes associated with excessive gambling.
Despite the negative consequences associated with gambling, few problem gamblers seek professiona... more Despite the negative consequences associated with gambling, few problem gamblers seek professional help. This study aimed to examine awareness of professional sources of help and help-seeking behaviour amongst regular and problem gamblers. Australian gamblers (N = 730) were recruited from the general population, multicultural gambling venues, and gambling helplines and treatment services. Surveys measured awareness of professional help services, help-seeking behaviour and motivators and barriers to seeking help. Gamblers demonstrated low awareness of professional help services. Problem gamblers born in Australia or who were divorced were more likely to seek help. Problem gamblers who were reluctant to seek help due to a desire solve the problem on their own and feeling ashamed for themselves or their family pride were more likely to have overcome these barriers to seek help. However, significant barriers related to denial of problem severity and concerns about the ability to access low cost services that cater for multicultural populations predicted a lower likelihood of having sought help. Public education should aim to de-mystify the treatment process and educate gamblers about symptoms of problem gambling to reduce shame, stigma, and denial and encourage help-seeking. Ongoing education and promotion of help services is required to increase awareness of the resources available, including targeted promotions to increase awareness of relevant services among specific populations.
Heat energy entrepreneurship is a new way of organizing municipal heating service. In heat energy... more Heat energy entrepreneurship is a new way of organizing municipal heating service. In heat energy entrepreneurship the public service is privatized and taken care of by a heat entrepreneur or heat enterprise. A heat entrepreneur or heat enterprise can be a single entrepreneur, entrepreneur consortium, Limited Liability Company or cooperative providing heating service for a community. At the end of the year 2004 the number of energy entrepreneurship based heating plants in Finland was 252 with a total solid fuel boiler capacity of 130 MW th . The number is growing rapidly and according to TTS Institute the estimated potential is about 900 plants with a total output of 300 MW th . In this paper heat energy entrepreneurship framework and decision-making are analysed by using heat energy contracts as research material. Firstly we present two alternative management models of heat energy entrepreneurship in Finland: 1) the public-private partnership model and 2) the private investment and management model. The public-private partnership model is based on the joint effort or mixed responsibilities of both the municipality and the entrepreneur who together ensure the provision of heat for the customer. In the private investment and management model, the entrepreneur or enterprise alone invests both in the heating plant and network and produces energy for the customer. Secondly, privatization of municipal heating service is discussed in terms of a) the socio-economic aspects, including impacts in municipal financing, employment and income, and b) contractual conditions focusing on heat pricing mechanisms. Finally, attention is also paid to future possibilities to develop heat energy entrepreneurship in Finland.
Pohjoiskarjalaisten pk-yritysten markkinointiosaamisen kartoittaminen -hankkeen tavoitteena oli k... more Pohjoiskarjalaisten pk-yritysten markkinointiosaamisen kartoittaminen -hankkeen tavoitteena oli kartoittaa pohjoiskarjalaisten pk-yritysten markkinointiosaamisen tasoa. Aikaisemmissa akateemisissa tutkimuksissa markkinointiosaamisen on havaittu olevan merkittävässä roolissa pienten yritysten menestyksessä ja useat yritysten epäonnistumiset markkinoilla johtuvat usein huonosta markkinointiosaamisesta. Markkinointi muodostaakin yhden suurimmista haasteista, joita pk-yrityksissä kohdataan. Tästä syystä tämän tutkimushankkeen toteuttaminen oli erittäin tärkeää. Hanke toteutettiin kokonaisuudessaan Euroopan Sosiaalirahaston (ESR) tuella. Haluamme kiittää Euroopan Sosiaalirahastoa ja Itä-Suomen Lääninhallitusta tutkimuksen toteutuksen mahdollistaneesta rahoituksesta. Lisäksi haluamme osoittaa kiitokset kyselyyn vastanneille pohjoiskarjalaisille pk-yrityksille sekä projektin yhteistyökumppaneille Joensuun Seudun Kehittämisyhtiö Josek Oy:lle ja Joensuun Tiedepuistolle, sekä heidän edustajilleen hankkeeseen ja hankkeen ohjausryhmätoimintaan osallistumisesta. Tämän hankkeen tulokset kannustavat valmistelemaan jatkohanketta pohjoiskarjalaisten pkyritysten markkinointiosaamisen konkreettiseksi kehittämiseksi. Koulutuksen, henkilökohtaisen neuvonnan ja yksinkertaisten räätälöityjen työkalujen avulla voidaan kehittää näiden yritysten kykyä parantaa markkina-asemaansa ja kannattavuuttaan. Yhteistyö alueen pk-yritysten ja muiden elinkeinoelämää edustavien tahojen kanssa on erittäin tärkeää, kun jatkohanketta valmistellaan ja toteutetaan. Joensuu, kesäkuu 2009
This paper analyzes the efficiency of betting markets in harness horse racing during the transiti... more This paper analyzes the efficiency of betting markets in harness horse racing during the transition from on-track betting to Internet gambling. In order to test the market efficiency hypotheses, an alternative testing approach to other grouping methods is introduced. The betting market efficiency is tested by using a database accumulated from the Finnish harness horse racing. The results imply that the markets are weakly efficient but characterised by the favourite-longshot bias. However, convincing evidence for other gambling market anomalies such as the end of the day effect or the gambler’s fallacy is not found.
Disordered Internet gambling is a psychological disorder that represents an important public heal... more Disordered Internet gambling is a psychological disorder that represents an important public health issue due to the increase in highly available and conveniently accessible Internet gambling sites. Chasing losses is one of the few observable markers of at-risk and problem gambling that may be used to detect early signs of disordered Internet gambling. This study examined loss chasing behaviour in a sample of Internet casino and poker players and the socio-demographic variables, irrational beliefs, and gambling behaviours associated with chasing losses. An online survey was completed by 10,838 Internet gamblers (58% male) from 96 countries. The results showed that Internet casino players had a greater tendency to report chasing losses than poker players and gamblers who reported chasing losses were more likely to hold irrational beliefs about gambling and spend more time and money gambling than those who reported that they were unaffected by previous losses. Gamblers who played for excitement and to win money were more likely to report chasing losses. This study is one of the largest ever studies of Internet gamblers and the results are highly significant as they provide insight into the characteristics and behaviours of gamblers using this mode of access.
This paper uses three different approaches for measuring the tightness of competition in the glob... more This paper uses three different approaches for measuring the tightness of competition in the global pulp and paper markets. First, we evaluate the market shares of the world's largest pulp and paper companies. Second, we estimate the price elasticities of the export demand for pulp and paper. Third, we test the Law of One Price. All three approaches suggest that the pulp and paper markets are competitive in the sense that a single firm, no matter how large, cannot increase the price of its products without losing market shares and experiencing a fall in total revenues.
There is an insufficient understanding of consumer attitudes towards Internet gambling, which con... more There is an insufficient understanding of consumer attitudes towards Internet gambling, which contributes to difficulties in developing policies to encourage the use of regulated online gambling sites. This research aimed to generate knowledge about consumer attitudes towards online gambling, specifically concerning the issues of player protection, regulation, and responsible gambling. An online survey was completed by 10,838 online casino and poker players from 96 countries. Responsible gambling features were generally viewed positively, particularly by casino game players, those who chased losses, and younger adults. Over one-third of participants reported having experienced a dispute with an online gambling operator. Respondents reported high levels of mistrust and concerns regarding online gambling and confusion regarding the appropriate regulation of Internet gambling. Consumer attitudes play a significant role in driving behavior and must be considered if regulators and operators are to effectively encourage online gamblers to use regulated gambling sites that include consumer protection and harm minimization measures. The results suggest that responsible gambling features, such as the ability to set spending limits, should be implemented on Internet gambling sites to increase consumer trust and favorable attitudes towards online gambling operators, and reduce disputes associated with excessive gambling.
Despite the negative consequences associated with gambling, few problem gamblers seek professiona... more Despite the negative consequences associated with gambling, few problem gamblers seek professional help. This study aimed to examine awareness of professional sources of help and help-seeking behaviour amongst regular and problem gamblers. Australian gamblers (N = 730) were recruited from the general population, multicultural gambling venues, and gambling helplines and treatment services. Surveys measured awareness of professional help services, help-seeking behaviour and motivators and barriers to seeking help. Gamblers demonstrated low awareness of professional help services. Problem gamblers born in Australia or who were divorced were more likely to seek help. Problem gamblers who were reluctant to seek help due to a desire solve the problem on their own and feeling ashamed for themselves or their family pride were more likely to have overcome these barriers to seek help. However, significant barriers related to denial of problem severity and concerns about the ability to access low cost services that cater for multicultural populations predicted a lower likelihood of having sought help. Public education should aim to de-mystify the treatment process and educate gamblers about symptoms of problem gambling to reduce shame, stigma, and denial and encourage help-seeking. Ongoing education and promotion of help services is required to increase awareness of the resources available, including targeted promotions to increase awareness of relevant services among specific populations.
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Papers by Niko Suhonen