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ETLA, the Research Institute of the Finnish Economy, is the leading private economic research organisation in Finland. Currently ETLA employs some 30 researchers in its three research programmes and a forecasting unit. The research programmes are engaged in business economics research, labour market and education economics research, and public finance and economic policy research.
The Institute's research has contributed to the foundation for economic and social policies and reforms of commercial and economic legislation. ETLA's expertise is also followed closely by business executives and labour leaders, other research institutes, educational institutions, and the media.
Research projects range from technology through international economy to labour markets. Moreover ETLA monitors and forecasts economic developments in Finland and the world.
ETLA promotes rigorous scientific methodologies and independence in research in all of its research and forecasting activities. It disseminates its research findings and forecasts through publications and regular reports, lectures, seminars and meetings.
Research programmes:
1) Labour market and education economics research
2) Competition, innovation and productivity
3) Public finance and economic policy research
4) Growth, structures and cycles
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Folkhälsan Research Center represents an internationally renowned unit with the focus on biomedical and health promotional research. The centre is located in Biomedicum Helsinki, a unique medical research environment.
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MTT's biotechnology and food research develops by means of breeding methods production and quality traits of plants and animals improves quality and healthiness of foods, studies plant and animal genetic recources and develops the ecological sustainability of food production.
Biotechnology research focuses on genomics research. The results can be utilised in breeding, production and conserving of genetic recources. MTT carries out research on plant and animal genetic resources, and coordinates the programmes for the conserving in Finland.
Key targets for Foods Research include bioactive compounds, product development of new healthy foods, and the food technology. MTT has done pioneering work also at the international level in the research of bioactive peptides, for example.
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R&D on food economy and food culture:
The research entity increases knowledge on consumers' views and expectations related to food production and consumption.
The research of the theme area is focused on a sustainable diet, changes in dietary practices, healthy eating, and the assessment of consumers' quality perspectives regarding foods. The research is directed by being consumer-oriented, understanding peoples' every-day activities, and the thought of consumers as the central actors of the food system.
The goal is to produce information for understanding food consumption now and in the future and for product development in companies. In addition, the information is to be produced for societal decision-making that affects consumption and sustainable development and promoting well-being.
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Food related R&D at THL's deparments:
Department of Bacterial and Inflammatory Diseases (BATO)
Department of Child and Adolescent Health (LNTO)
Department of Environmental Health (YTOS)
Department of Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention (ETEO)
Department of Health and Functional Capacity (TTO)
Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Control (INFE)
Department of Viral Diseases and Immunology (VIMO)
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PTT's general economics research focuses on question relating to regional economic development and regional policy, the problems of co-operative and small and medium size enterprises and selected public sector themes.
In the agricultural and food sectors, PTT project agricultural production and prices in the main areas of production as well as some central issues in food markets.
The main focus of agricultural research is structural and regional policy. PTT has examined agricultural production, the number of farms, investment and generation transfers in Finland and the effects of various regional development projects. Topics currently under study include the effect of agricultural support in the EU and factors affecting the price formation of arable land.
Projects in the field of food production include the impacts of EU enlargement and international trade on the Finnish food industry and the impact of export subsidy elimination on the dairy sector. One project is examining the status and influence of developing countries in the WTO agricultural negotiations. PTT has also analysed different pricing systems and their impacts on the supply chain in the food sector, in addition to agribusiness and food industry networks and E-business.
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VTT has comprehensive expertise in biotechnology and food technology. In biotechnology VTT emphasises on enzyme technology and its applications as well as in the more effective use of renewable natural resources in the production of industrial chemicals and materials.
In food technology VTT utilises biotechnology by developing methods for the manufacture of products that meet the expectations of consumers. VTT's strong expertise in raw materials, versatile utilisation of enzymes and microbes in food processing, solid understanding of factors affecting product quality, and consumer research serve as the basis of new applications.
New food and nutrition solutions are developed e.g. in a multidisciplinary NUTRITECH -Research Programme.
VTT also provides novel types of process analytical methods to improve efficacy and save costs. VTT owns substantial scale pilot equipment for trial activities. Respectively, VTT develop new packaging solutions for the customers, including sustainable materials, anti-counterfeiting properties, enhanced attractiveness and ease-of-use for the consumers.
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