KJCKorea
Journal Central

This study investigates the cultural foundations behind the exceptionally high level of ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) management observed among Scandinavian firms. Adopting both the etic approach – centered on Hofstede’s cultural dimensions – and the emic approach – which emphasizes the historical and socio-cultural uniqueness of Scandinavian societies – this research aims to explain how cultural factors influence the motivation and implementation of ESG practices in Scandinavian countries. The findings suggest that cultural traits such as low power distance, high individualism, and extreme femininity contribute to the intrinsic motivation for proactive and voluntary ESG engagement. Furthermore, the region’s longstanding egalitarian and cooperative norms serve as a fertile ground for embedding ESG values in corporate strategy. These insights offer meaningful implications for fostering ESG practices in countries like South Korea, where extrinsic motivation still plays a dominant role.

This study investigates Finland’s ongoing labour-market reform, concentrating on changes to the unemployment-benefit system and activation policy. It has two objectives: (1) to clarify how the current unemployment-benefit scheme operates, and (2) to trace the recent evolution of activation policy. The findings indicate that the reform is chiefly motivated by a desire to strengthen work incentives and safeguard public finances. Compared with earlier arrangements, the unemployment-benefit system has become less generous in both benefit levels and eligibility, while activation policy is increasingly centred on workfarist instruments. Moreover, since January 2025 the responsibility for delivering employment services has been devolved from the central TE Offices to municipalities, signalling full-scale decentralization of the service infrastructure. Driven unilaterally by the right-wing and far-right coalition, the reform has intensified political and social tensions. In this context, ongoing monitoring is essential to gauge how these changes will reshape Finland’s labour market policies and welfare state system in the years ahead.