Käkikuu Blog

Yksinyrittäjyys, yritysvastuu

Solopreneurship – Responsibility and Freedom in the Same Package.

According to Statistics Finland, there were approximately 230,000 solo entrepreneurs in Finland in 2023. A solo entrepreneur is defined as a person who runs a business without any employees, meaning they are both the owner and the sole worker in their company. Solo entrepreneurs account for nearly 9% of all employed persons. Solo entrepreneurship is a significant factor in the national economy and a source of economic activity. Read more

By Jukka K. Niemi, ago
Vastuullisuus, yritysvastuu, resurssit, osallistaminen

Not All Wisdom Resides in Me

Entrepreneurship is interesting, challenging, and rewarding, and every entrepreneur is the best expert on their own business and operating environment. Entrepreneurs possess a great deal of wisdom, skills, and the ability to navigate various situations. An entrepreneur may have a unique perspective on their business and may – at least in their own opinion – be the most competent person in many fields. Read more

By Jukka K. Niemi, ago
Yritysvastuu, vastuullisuusstrategia

What Does Building a Sustainability Strategy Require From a Company?

Every company benefits from having a sustainability strategy. For larger companies, preparing for increasing regulation and anticipating future requirements play a crucial role. However, growing regulation also means that smaller companies—not directly subject to the rules—will inevitably face sustainability demands, especially when they are expected to provide a sustainability strategy Read more

By Jukka K. Niemi, ago
Kestävä kehitys, HAMK

Summary: Sustainable Development at Häme University of Applied Sciences

I recently graduated from the sustainable development blended learning programme at Häme University of Applied Sciences with a degree in Environmental Planning (B.Nat.Res). Now that the celebrations have settled down a bit, it's time to reflect on what these past two years have brought. When I came across HAMK’s Sustainable Development degree programme online in the spring of 2021, I was immediately excited. The field is not only timely but also incredibly diverse and interesting. Read more

By Jukka K. Niemi, ago
Yritysvastuu, toimintaympäristö

Challenges and Opportunities in the Operating Environment of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises

The operating environment of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is shaped by many factors, such as personnel, customers, markets, competition, and legislation. Resources—practically time and money—often define the framework for business operations and development, especially in SMEs. Public discourse, along with the expectations of society and stakeholders, also play a role in shaping the operating environment for SMEs. Read more

By Jukka K. Niemi, ago
Yrityksen digitaalinen tulevaisuus

Digital Future and Sustainable Success: The Outlook for Sustainability Work in SMEs

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) form the backbone of Finland's economy. In 2021, there were approximately 500,000 businesses operating in the country, over 99 percent of which were SMEs with fewer than 250 employees. These companies employed around 63 percent of the national workforce. The turnover of SMEs totaled €273.6 billion, accounting for 56 percent of all business-generated revenue. This highlights the significance of the SME sector to Finland’s economy and underscores its role as a driver of societal well-being, employment, and national economic growth. Read more

By Jukka K. Niemi, ago
yritysvastuu, olennaisuuden arviointi

Materiality Assessment in Corporate Responsibility Work

Corporate responsibility work is a broad and multifaceted process, especially in the early stages when a company begins building its sustainability strategy. Materiality assessment plays a crucial role in this phase, as it is neither possible nor sensible to try to address everything. Instead, sustainability efforts must focus on the most material impacts, risks, and opportunities related to the company’s operations. By concentrating on what truly matters, the company can achieve the best possible results in its sustainability work. Read more

By Jukka K. Niemi, ago
CSRD-raportointi

What do the ESRS Standards Under the CSRD Directive for Corporate Sustainability Reporting Include – What Issues Will Companies Report on in the Future?

The EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), which came into force in January 2023, places corporate sustainability reporting alongside traditional financial reporting as an integral part of a company’s financial statements and annual report. This is a significant change that sets the direction for the future of corporate reporting in companies of all sizes. The ESRS standards (European Sustainability Reporting Standards) under the directive define the information that Read more

By Jukka K. Niemi, ago
Päästökauppa, kasvihuonekaasu, hiilimarkkina

Emissions Trading – One of the Cornerstones of the European Union’s Climate Policy

The EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) is a carbon market mechanism used within the European Union. It is based on a cap-and-trade system that applies to energy-intensive industries, electricity generation, and civil aviation. It is the world’s first and largest carbon market. Under the system, certain major emitters of harmful greenhouse gases are required to hold or purchase a permit (emissions allowance) for every tonne of carbon dioxide they emit. The total number of emission allowances issued annually by the EU is lower Read more

By Jukka K. Niemi, ago
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