The Wonder of fanaticism in football

Objectives: Current image of a fan is rather one-sided and stereotypical, focusing mainly on the negative and extreme forms of fanaticism. This study focuses on showing the multiplicity of forms that fanaticism really exists in, including a personal side that is not usually visible to other people. Methodology: The form of videography was chosen, as it gives the opportunity to show how fans look and act like in their everyday surroundings. Videography provides the most suitable tools in showing all different sides of the phenomenon without interfering too much to the interpretation process. Key findings: Fans have created rules for fanaticism, and this has led a high level of brand loyalty that cannot be found anywhere else. People narrate their lives through touching points that happen in their life. These moments must fit into the own life story and their "desired self". Being a fan constantly provides appropriate moments and touching points to fit to the desired life story. People want to associate with something bigger, but yet keep some distance and not get too attached to the phenomenon. This closeness experienced afar - phenomenon can take place, for instance, by being part of communities that are situated in a distance. Keeping distance may at times be seen as fans wanting to disassociate themselves from other fans, even those that are fans of the same team. Fans want to make difference between "real" fans and others who are not

CSR and Company Reputation - Case study of Nike

During the 21st century, we have seen an enormous increase in the popularity of CSR, in corporate level as well as in public media. Society’s consciousness on the effects of individual behaviour has risen with increased awareness on environmental and societal issues such as global warming and human rights. Corporate catastrophes, such as BP oil spill in Gulf of Mexico in 20101, which was the biggest oil spill in history of United States, has woken companies to protect their CSR reputation. According to study by Visser and Tolhurst (2010) one of the main drivers of increased CSR is growing globalisation which brings benefits and disadvantages to economic development throughout the world giving businesses even more decisive role across all levels of society. More opened global market has combined different cultures bringing problems with corruption and bribery as well as with different ethical conducts. Issues such as sustainable production, labour standards or cultural and societal implications of development do not have mutual norms but cannot be left to be decided solely in the market place (Visser and Tolhurst, 2010). Due to globalisation multinational corporations (MNCs) are conquering the global markets. MNCs are major actors in the society and together with their large supply chain channels they have a strong influence on what it is going on in the markets. Many MNCs have shown their interest towards environmentally and socially aware contributions, such as charity campaigns, introducing new codes of conducts to suppliers to nurture employee rights and improve environmental standard

Päivähoidon ja lastensuojelun yhteistyö Mikkelissä päivähoidon näkökulmasta

Opinnäytetyön tarkoituksena on selvittää Mikkelin kaupungin päivähoidon ja lastensuojelun yhteistyötä päivähoidon näkökulmasta, kun lapsi on päivähoidossa lastensuojelun avohuollon tukitoimena. Opinnäytetyön avulla haettiin vastauksia seuraaviin kysymyksiin: 1) millaista yhteistyötä päivähoidossa tehdään lastensuojelun kanssa? 2) kuinka yhteistyö toimii päivähoidon ja lastensuojelun välillä? 3) millaisia kehittämiskohteita yhteistyössä ilmenee? Aiheesta ei löytynyt aiempaa tutkimusta, joka olisi kohdistunut Mikkelin päivähoidon ja lastensuojelun väliseen yhteistyöhön. Muualla Suomessa aiheesta on tehty joitakin tutkimuksia. Opinnäytetyö on luonteeltaan kvalitatiivinen eli laadullinen. Tiedonkeruumenetelmänä käytettiin ryhmähaastatteluja ja aineisto analysoitiin teemoittelun avulla. Haastateltavina oli 16 Mikkelin kaupungin päivähoidon ammattilaista, joilla oli konkreettista kokemusta yhteistyöstä lastensuojelun kanssa. Tulokset esitetään tutkimustehtävittäin. Tulosten perusteella voidaan todeta, että yhteistyö ja sen toimivuus nähtiin tärkeänä ja niiden kehittämisen koettiin tukevan kaikkia osapuolia. Opinnäytetyö antaa informaatiota erityisesti Mikkelin kaupungin päivähoidolle ja lastensuojelulle niiden yhteistyön toimivuudesta. Saatujen tulosten perusteella kaupungilla on mahdollisuudet lähteä tekemään lisäselvityksiä yhteistyöstä sekä kehittää sitä. Tulokset mahdollistavat myös oman työn pohdinnan ja sen kehittämisen yhteistyön parantamiseksi niin päivähoidossa kuin muussa asiakastyössä omalla alalla.The purpose of this study was to examine co-operation of the day care and child welfare in the city of Mikkeli from the day care point of view when the child is placed in day care as a support measure in open care of child welfare. This study aims at answering the following questions: 1) what kind of co-operation the day care does with child welfare 2) how co-operation works between the day care and child welfare 3) what kind of improvement issues arise from the co-operation. There has not been research of this issue which would have been directed to co-operation between the day care and child welfare in the city of Mikkeli. Although some similar studies have been made elsewhere in Finland. The method of this study is qualitative and the data was collected by group interview. The data was analysed by dividing it up according to themes which arouse from the data. The target group of the study was formed from 16 professionals from the day care of the city of Mikkeli who had concrete experience of co-operation with child welfare. On the basis of the results of this study can be said that the co-operation and functionality of the co-operation is important and improving both of those supports both parties. This study gives information in particular to the day care and child welfare of the city of Mikkeli on functionality of their co-operation. The results of the study enable the city to do additional research about the co-operation or improve it. The findings can also be reflected to one’s own work to improve co-operation in the day care as in any other customer work in one’s own profession

"Työ on mulle huippu ykkönen" : kehitysvammaisten työelämän kokemuksia Turussa

Jokaisella on oikeus työhön ja siitä saatavaan kohtuulliseen palkkaan. Heikossa työmarkkina-asemassa olevia ovat muun muassa kehitysvammaiset. Tämän tutkimuksen tarkoitus on selvittää ja kuvata Turussa asuvien lievästi kehitysvammaisten työpolkuja osallisuuden näkökulmasta. Lisäksi pohdimme, miten edistää työllistymistä ja mitkä ovat työllistymisen esteitä. Työ vahvistaa yhteiskuntaan liittymistä ja osaltaan keskeisesti ehkäisee syrjäytymistä. Todellisessa osallisuudessa ihminen kokee olevansa arvokas, yhdenvertainen yhteisönsä jäsen. Sosiaalihuolto- ja kehitysvammalailla pyritään lisäämään työllistymistä tukevia toimia ja osallisuutta yhteiskuntaan. Tutkimuksemme on laadullinen, jonka aineisto on kerätty teemahaastattelemalla. Haastattelimme kymmentä Turussa asuvaa työikäistä kehitysvammaista henkilöä. Heistä kaksi työskentelee tuetussa työssä (palkkatyösuhde) ja kahdeksan tuetussa työtoiminnassa. Tutkimuksen aineistokeruu on suoritettu tammi-helmikuussa vuonna 2014. Tuloksista selvisi, että lievästi kehitysvammaisten työllistyminen tavallisiin työpaikkoihin on vaikeaa. Työllistymisen onnistumiseksi tarvitaan moniammatillista yhteistyötä. Tavoitteena tuetulla työtoiminnalla tulisi olla tuettu työ (palkkatyösuhde). Haastatelluista yhtä lukuun ottamatta haaveena on pysyä palkkatyössä tai saada sellainen. Aiempien tutkimusten perusteella on jo olemassa onnistuneita toimintamalleja kehitysvammaisten työllistymisen edistämiseksi, kuten tuetun työllistymisen malli (support employment). Tuloksista selvisi, että suurimmalle osalle haastateltavista tarve työhönvalmentajan tukeen työllistämisen edistämisessä on ollut tai on suuri.Every human being has the right to look for a job and get the acceptable compensation of it. When talking about the labor in open market peoples with disabilities are in the weakest position. This study aims to examine and then describe the work path for peoples with disabilities who live in Turku city, from the point of view of inclusion. In addition our reflection goes to how to promote their employment and we are considering what barriers there is for their employment. Employment is a solid way to connect into the society and the key issue to prevent social exclu-sion. Inclusion is completed fully when the person feels to be respected and treated as equal member of his community. The Social Welfare’s program and laws aim to create and provide employment for people equally and to increase support of participation and inclusion into the society. This study is qualitative and the method used is theme interview (half structured interview). We interviewed ten peoples with mildly disabilities who are in working age and live in Turku city. Two of them had paid work (supported and ordinary employment). Other eight were in supported work activities but not get paid yet. The study data was collected out in January-February 2014. The study results showed that employment of peoples with mildly disabilities is difficult in the open labor market. To succeed there is a need of the multi-professional co-operation work. Additionally there should be a vision which enables moving to paid work (supported employment) from the supported work activities. The study results showed that interviewees’ dream is to stay on wage employment or to gain one. As previous studies have showed there is a successful work model to promote employment of peoples with disabilities, such as supported employment model. This study’s results showed that to promote successfully the supported employment model having a job coach is the most significant factor. Importance of job coach was also pointed out by most of the interviewed people

Tasapainoharjoittelu ja nilkan alueen voimaharjoittelu salibandypelaajien nyrjähdysvammojen ehkäisyssä

Salibandy on Suomessa harrastetuin palloilulaji 19-65-vuotiaiden aikuisten keskuudessa ja aiheuttaa toiseksi eniten liikuntatapaturmia. Yleisin vamma salibandyssä on nilkan nyrjähdys, ja huono tasapaino altistaa nilkan nyrjähdyksille. Opinnäytetyön tarkoituksena oli verrata Star Excursion Balance Test -harjoittelun (SEBT) ja nilkan alueen kestovoimaharjoittelun vaikutusta salibandypelaajien staattiseen ja dynaamiseen tasapainoon ja siten nilkkavammojen riskitekijöihin. Yhteistyöseurana toimi Ponovo miesten salibandyn 2. divisioonasta. Tutkimukseen osallistui 17 henkilöä, joista kuusi henkilöä lopetti tutkimuksen kesken. Henkilöt jakautuivat harjoitusohjelmien mukaan kahteen ryhmään, kestovoimaryhmään (n=3) ja SEBT-ryhmään (n=8). Ryhmille tehtiin alku- ja loppumittaukset, alku-ja loppukyselyt, ja osallistujat täyttivät harjoituspäiväkirjaa kahdeksan viikon intervention ajan. Ryhmät harjoittelivat joukkueen omien harjoitusten yhteydessä ja tarvittaessa omalla ajalla yhteensä kahdesta kolmeen kertaan viikossa. SEBT-ryhmässä staattisessa tasapainossa ei tapahtunut muutoksia. Dynaamisessa tasapainossa SEBT-ryhmässä kurkotuspituus kasvoi takaviistoon ulkopuolelle (posterolateraaliseen suuntaan) molemmilla jaloilla. Vasemmalla tukijalalla kurkotus kasvoi keskimäärin 9,2 cm (p=0,012) ja oikealla tukijalalla keskimäärin 11,45 cm (p=0,036). Kestovoimaryhmällä ei tapahtunut muutoksia staattisessa ja dynaamisessa tasapainossa. Pienen otoskoon ja tutkimusjoukon heterogeenisyyden takia ei tutkimuksen tuloksia voida yleistää. Kestovoimaharjoittelulla ei havaittu olevan vaikutusta staattiseen tai dynaamiseen tasapainoon. Jatkotutkimuksissa tulisi käyttää isompaa koehenkilöiden määrää, seurata kauden urheiluvammoja, yhdistää SEBT-harjoitusohjelman ja kestovoimaharjoitusohjelman tai ottaa kontrolliryhmä mukaan tutkimukseen.Floorball is the most common ball game in Finland between ages of 19 and 65 and inflicts the second most exercise injuries. The most common injury in floorball is ankle strain and poor balance increases the risk of ankle strains. The purpose of this study was to compare effects of Star Excursion Balance Test training and muscle endurance training of ankle muscles in static and dynamic balance of floorball players and thus risk factors of ankle injuries. The collaborating team in this study was Ponovo which plays floorball in second division in Finland. Initially 17 persons’ participated in the study but six persons quit their participations in the middle of the study. The test subjects were divided to two groups depending on their training programs, the muscle endurance group (n=3) and SEBT-group (n=8). The groups also participated in measurements before and after the intervention. During the eight-week intervention participants filled a training log. The groups trained two to three times a week after their own team trainings or during their own free time if needed. In SEBT-group there was no change in static balance. In dynamic balance, however, the SEBT group was able to increase their reaching length in posterolateral direction with both legs. When standing with your left leg the increase was 9.2 cm (p=0,012) and when standing with your right leg the increase was 11.45 cm (p=0,036). In the muscle endurance training group there was no difference in static or dynamic balance. Because of the small sample size and heterogeneous research group the results of this study cannot be generalized. Muscle endurance training did not affect static or dynamic balance. Future studies should include a larger sample size, tracking of sport injuries during the season, combining SEBT and endurance training programs or including a control group in the study

Applying management accounting to support the strategic management in growth organizations

The main objective of this study is to explore how growth organizations utilize management accounting as a part of their strategic management process and in which ways management accounting can have a significant impact on the strategic management of a growth organization. The topic is important not only because the growth organizations has been in the interest of business related research for almost five decades, yet the field still lacks a holistic understanding of causes, effects and process of the growth companies but also because growth organizations create new jobs and promote economic growth. Together management accounting and strategic management methods can possibly unify the short-term decision-making, enhance the allocation of resources and guide the organization efficiently towards the desired long-term goals. The theoretical part of the study mainly consists of international academic publications. The empirical material was gathered with half-structured theme interviews from four Finnish case company CEOs, CFOs or COOs and is structured in themes, which comes from strategic management theory and are analyzed by using a categorization of management accounting. The theoretical framework was challenged and refined during and as a result of the research process. The results of the study reveal that both strategic management and management accounting are timely and significant topics in growth organizations. In general management accounting can make significant contribution through strategic management process of a growth organization with focus on controlling employees’ motivation, providing guidelines for short-term decision-making and enabling the monitoring, controlling and evaluating of the progression of the process. This study supports many previous research regarding the importance of management accounting and strategic management, however it should be mentioned that the theory of management accounting and the theory of strategic management seems to have a lot of similarities. Additionally, it should be highlighted that mature growth organizations utilize management accounting more than early-stage organizations

The Tipping Point for Alternatives in East Asian Arts

Non peer reviewe

Hacking Hong Kong : Urban Creativity as Dissidence and Participation

Non peer reviewe