Finnish culture - a “to do” culture

Scholars see Finland from different cultural viewpoints based on different models. Hofstede considers Finland as an individualist, feminist, low power distance and indulgence-oriented culture. On the other hand, according to Lewis the Finnish culture is more lenient to linear active and interactive cultural dimensions. Furthermore, the Finnish culture goes close to Hall’s low-context and monochronic dimensions.

One may gain rich information about the Finnish and many other cultures by reading the scholars’ invaluable works, which may eventually be an effective integration tool to any culture including the Finnish culture at least from the theoretical point of view. Reading the book written by Hofstede called “Cultures and Organizations: Software of the Mind” helped me personally to develop a deeper understanding of the Finnish culture and cultures around the world. Not only immigrants but natives may also read the scholars’ work to gain deeper understanding of the surrounding cultures. 

In the contemporary multicultural world, knowledge of other cultures empowers people to survive and thrive in collaboration, competition and deal making.  Integration into a foreign culture is contingent upon theoretical information, personal activity and host country initiatives in the form of different types of integration packages, such as the Study & Stay programme of the Tampere Universities community. Knowing the host country culture from the very beginning is strongly recommended as a part of the integration or socialisation path.  

The Finnish culture has many unique features and a deep understanding of them helps to live, work and do business in Finland. The current text is not going to focus on all the unique features but on the work culture or more specifically a fragment of the work culture. By being in Finland for many years, I have understood that the Finnish culture is more a “to do” culture. Born in Bangladesh, I grew up in a village alongside my Hindu neighbours and had a different concept of work.

We had a clear line between what to do and what not to do. The society has remained the same to some extent, at least among the well-off sections of the society. The root of it may be the caste system of Hinduism. Though the caste system is not officially in place, it is a socio-religious process visible in everyday life.  Some of my friends who were born to a goldsmith family took over the business once owned by their parents – the same profession continues from one generation to another. Continuing in the same occupation or profession is still common even if changing a profession or occupation has also become more common nowadays.       

On arrival to Tampere University for higher education, it was interesting to come across the Finnish concept of work - anyone can do any job. That has probably become even more popular because of the minimum wage legislation. Finland is under the influence of the Scandinavian egalitarianism philosophy of not letting anyone be too high or too low in the socio-economic hierarchy.  That is mainly done through the minimum living standard, which has given birth to a generous social welfare society in Finland. Social welfare is maintained through progressive taxation and equitable distribution of public resources. Consequently, Finland has a large government sector.

Work is the most important in Finland, not its type. During the whole upbringing process, children learn to do all types of household work. Parents play a vital role in this. Further at school, household work is a part of the school curriculum. People learn to do things from the very childhood – that may have a role in creating the “to do” culture in Finland. 

Finns are quiet perfectionists at work. It extends the importance of professionalism, which is achieved through education and training. Education is highly valued in the Finnish society. Finland has a probably the most professional job market in Europe and beyond. One needs professional education and training even for a cleaning job. 

I am not going to the controversy of whether Finns are hard workers or not, but it seems that Finns are very sincere at work. They do their job on time, do not procrastinate, do not give up easily, are transparent, are able to do their work independently and show creativity. 

Organisations have a professional classification. Officials have permanent positions. There is authority and span of control, flat hierarchy and bureaucracy but in the end the main objective of organisations is task orientation – customer service. Work orientation is a unique feature of Finnish organisations.

To a question “where are you going”, a Bangladeshi official would answer “I am going to the office”. In Finland, the answer would be “I am going to work.” International degree students coming to the Tampere Universities community should keep themselves engaged in learning, training, working and doing sports in order to integrate naturally into the “to do” culture.                

Teacher & Researcher