1. FINNISH-SWEDISH BUSINESS CLIMATE 2016 ALEKSANDRA AZAIZE, LEROY CHRISTIAN, JOSEPH DEL CROGNALE, AN HỒ, ART MALOKU, MARIA MUBASHAR, MY MEO, ELLA NAUMANEN, ELEONORA SCHITAROCZY, TIEN VUONG

2. Agenda 1.Introduction ◦ Objective of Survey ◦ Investigative Questions ◦ Research Methods 2.Results ◦ Respondent's Profiles ◦ Individual Opinions and Attitudes ◦ Doing Business 3.Conclusion 5/9/16 2

3. Introduction 5/9/16 3

4. Objective and Target Group of Survey Research Objectives:​ The objective was to study the current and overall business climate between Finland and Sweden. Main Survey Target Group:​ This survey was targeted for small and medium-sized companies in Finland and Sweden. 5/9/16 4

5. Investigative Questions What are the general perspectives of Finnish and Swedish personnel on business relations between the two countries? What are the similarities and difference in culture, communication style, and individual attitudes? What is the typical business environment like in Swedish and Finnish companies? 5/9/16 5

6. Research Method This survey was for the most part based on the “Norwegian-Finnish Business Climate Survey”, which was prepared for the Norwegian–Finnish Trade Association (NOFI), 2015. Quantitative research approach o Questionnaire method was used based on closed questions with a mix of multiple choice and answering scales. The online survey was sent to the members of Finnish-Swedish Chamber of Commerce. ◦The data was collected during: 01.04.2016 - 30.04.2016 ◦Three weekly reminders were sent during the data collection phase. ◦Total of 189 responses were received 5/9/16 6

7. Results 5/9/16 7

8. Respondent's Profiles 5/9/16 8

9. Age, Gender, and Mother Tongue 5/9/16 9 Gender Age Mother tongue

10. Personal Representation What perspective do you consider yourself as representing? 5/9/16 10

11. Function in Organization 5/9/16 11

12. Respondents by Region 5/9/16 12 n/a 75% South Finland West Finland 17.2% 3.4% East Finland Oulu Region 2.6% Åland Islands 1.7% 93.2% Svealand 5.4% Götaland 1.4% Norrland Finland Sweden

13. Companies Backgrounds 5/9/16 13 Business SectorsTurnover

14. Individual Opinions 5/9/16 14

15. Networking The most effective ways to network according to Swedish and Finnish views. 5/9/16 15 Strongly disagreeStrongly agree

16. Communication Styles 5/9/16 16 How Finnish and Swedish perceive their business partners? Conservative Personal Shy Direct Relationship-oriented Certainty

17. Effects Of Language On Day-To-Day Activities How do gaps in language competencies cause problems in the work environment? 5/9/16 17 Strongly disagreeStrongly agree

18. Importance of Opposite Language 5/9/16 18 Strongly disagreeStrongly agree Strongly disagree

19. Shared Values What are the most important shared values in the company? 5/9/16 19 Finnish perspective on important shared valuesSwedish perspective on important shared values

20. Perceived Commonalities Between Each Other What Finnish and Swedish perceive they have in common regarding business. 5/9/16 20 Strongly disagree Strongly agree

21. Doing Business 5/9/16 21

22. Total Foreign Trade Volumes 2015 FINNISH TRADE WITH SWEDEN Imports From Finland into Sweden o ranked 6th at 5%. Exports from Sweden to Finland o ranked 4th at 6.95%. http://globaledge.msu.edu/countries /sweden/tradestats SWEDISH TRADE WITH FINLAND Imports from Sweden into Finland o ranked 2nd at 11.4%. Exports from Finland to Sweden o ranked 2nd at 10.3%. http://www.stat.fi/tup/suoluk/suoluk_ko timaankauppa_en.html#foreigntrade 22 5/9/16

23. Formal/Informal Language Usage 5/9/16 23 Formal meetings Informal verbal communication with colleagues

24. Currency 5/9/16 24

25. Desired Leadership Traits 5/9/16 25

26. Perceived Trade Barriers 5/9/16 26 What discourages business cooperation? Strongly disagreeStrongly agree

27. Witnessed Discrimination 5/9/16 27 Types of discrimination witnessed by FinnishTypes of discrimination witnessed by Swedish

28. Conclusion 5/9/16 28

29. Conclusions 5/9/16 29 Similarities in culture makes networking easier, with both parties sharing similar ideals in terms of best ways to network. Language is not considered a barrier in business relations, but can generally be viewed as an inconvenience when communicating to foreign counterpart. Finnish respondents view Swedish language as a vital element in business life, while Swedish respondents took an opposite stance about the Finnish language. Differences exist in leadership and communication styles​, but both parties seem to have similar thoughts on what makes a good leader. Gender and age discrimination are the most prevelant instances of witnessed discrimination in businesses of both countries.

30. Thank you for your attention! 5/9/16 30