This dissertation is a collection of three studies whose central theme is the business subsidies policy implemented in Finland during the 1990s by the ministry of Trade and Industry (KTM). The purpose is to examine whether the policy is effective and at the same time explain the rationale behind...

We evaluate direct wage subsidy programs to Finnish SMEs utilising as the unit of interest the firm and its characteristics. In estimating Average Treatment effects on the Treated firms (ATT) we apply recent techniques of propensity score matching algorithms developed by Becker and Ichino (2002)...

This is an evaluation study which examines the financing process through which Finnish enterprises apply and receive business subsidies from the central government. It examines comprehensively the three entities involved when this type of state aid is distributed in Finland, namely the applicant...

The study attempts to apply William Niskanen's (1971) theory of budget maximising bureaucrats to the business subsidies policy implemented in Finland, by one of the major distributor of subsidies to firms, the ministry of Trade and Industry (KTM). The empirical analysis is based on records of 15...

This paper is a survey which describes and explains in non-technical terms the logic behind various methodologies used in conducting retrospective quantitative evaluations of public policy programs. The programs usually have as their main targets firms or individuals who benefit from direct...

In this paper we focus on the level of subjective well-being and its determinants among the unemployed as compared with those currently in paid labour. In theoretical terms, strongly contradictory views prevail on the effects of unemployment on subjective well-being. Whereas the traditional...

This study examines the impact of business subsidies on beneficiary and non-beneficiary firms during a short three year period, from 1995 to 1997. The indicator measuring the impact of subsidies on these firms is their Value Added growth over the three-year period. The study is based on...

The literature evaluating active labour market programmes concentrates on the subsequent labour market performance of the unemployed work force that has undergone training or has spent a certain period in a subsidised job. The effects of programmes on firms have rarely been evaluated. Here we...

This paper investigates the effects of business subsidies on the employment of firms in Finland, and explores possible regional differences in the effects. Employment of some 26,000 firms is followed annually between 1995-1998. We find that labour subsidies increase the firms' own employment...

This paper surveys evaluation studies of business subsidy programs conducted in Finland and abroad. The aim is to assess the evaluation methods applied and then recommend the most appropriate ones applicable in Finland. In the paper twenty seven studies are analysed; eighteen using Finnish data...