A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
The purpose of this study is to investigate craft policy in Finland. The crafts policy within the framework of cultural, social and economic dimensions is analyzed and the cultural dimension divided into cultural diversity, crafts and design, and innovation and training; the social dimension into livelihood, self-confidence and fair and ethical trade; and the economic dimension into quality of life for producers, trading partners and small businesses.
My intention was to understand artisans' work and the meaning of craft policy and development work. Two inquiries were made and theme discussions arranged jointly with the representatives of the Finnish Association of Designers Ornamo and the Finnish Crafts Organization. The survey (open questionnaire via the Internet) contains artisans' and enterprise counsellors' attitudes towards craft policy and development work. The material was analyzed by content analysis and the close-reading method.
Problems can be divided into those related to the entrepreneurial environment and those related to entrepreneurs' qualities. In short, problems related to the enterprising environment include critical study of development actions and employer contributions, domestic and international competition. Problems related to entrepreneurs' qualities include the need for better client-oriented products, more cooperation, accessibility and visibility, and artisans' insufficient skills as entrepreneurs.
The vision in the Finnish Ministry of Trade and Industry's strategic plan 2007–2013, Craft Entrepreneurship in Finland. Draft for a development strategy for craft entrepreneurship 2007–2013, states that the goal is profitable growth of enterprises and an internationally visible craft sector, with well-designed client-oriented products and services. Artisans often experience craft more as a way of life or art than as work. The core of craft entrepreneurs' skills generally lies in the design and manufacture of products, but this is not sufficient for operating profitably as a business. Many entrepreneurs remain rather incompetent in information technology and the like. Crafts seem be more highly valued when people like and have the possibility to buy unique products, especially clothing and decoration.
The purpose of this study is to investigate craft policy in Finland. The crafts policy within the framework of cultural, social and economic dimensions is analyzed and the cultural dimension divided into cultural diversity, crafts and design, and innovation and training; the social dimension into livelihood, self-confidence and fair and ethical trade; and the economic dimension into quality of life for producers, trading partners and small businesses.
My intention was to understand artisans' work and the meaning of craft policy and development work. Two inquiries were made and theme discussions arranged jointly with the representatives of the Finnish Association of Designers Ornamo and the Finnish Crafts Organization. The survey (open questionnaire via the Internet) contains artisans' and enterprise counsellors' attitudes towards craft policy and development work. The material was analyzed by content analysis and the close-reading method.
Problems can be divided into those related to the entrepreneurial environment and those related to entrepreneurs' qualities. In short, problems related to the enterprising environment include critical study of development actions and employer contributions, domestic and international competition. Problems related to entrepreneurs' qualities include the need for better client-oriented products, more cooperation, accessibility and visibility, and artisans' insufficient skills as entrepreneurs.
The vision in the Finnish Ministry of Trade and Industry's strategic plan 2007–2013, Craft Entrepreneurship in Finland. Draft for a development strategy for craft entrepreneurship 2007–2013, states that the goal is profitable growth of enterprises and an internationally visible craft sector, with well-designed client-oriented products and services. Artisans often experience craft more as a way of life or art than as work. The core of craft entrepreneurs' skills generally lies in the design and manufacture of products, but this is not sufficient for operating profitably as a business. Many entrepreneurs remain rather incompetent in information technology and the like. Crafts seem be more highly valued when people like and have the possibility to buy unique products, especially clothing and decoration.
New Craft Policy in Finland
Luutonen, Marketta (author)
The Design Journal ; 10 ; 49-61
2007-07-01
13 pages
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English
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