Posted on 05/27/2007 3:21:00 PM PDT by WesternCulture
Norwegians have the highest job loyalty in Europe, and all of the Nordic countries are happy at work. The European Employee Index (EEI) survey carried out by Danish consultancy Ennova, covered 20 European nations. The EEI showed that besides being loyal, in terms of job enjoyment Norwegians were second only to Danes.
"We are part of a Nordic tradition of cooperative relations in the work place that is completely unique in an international context," said *Even Bolstad, head of HR Norway, Ennova's cooperative partner in the survey.
"The five Nordic nations are all in the top ten in all categories pertaining to quality of life and competitiveness. We thrive at home and at work, and are productive at the same time," Bolstad told management newspaper Ukeavisen Ledelse.
Bolstad told the newspaper that he believes the Nordic management style is special, both in a European and global context.
"Nordic bosses largely manage through trust and conduct, and not via learned techniques or by being authoritarian. Soft values create hard cash. It goes against all economic theory and is a management style that other countries can't make work. I meet Germans and Englishmen who shake their heads and cannot understand that it works at all," Bolstad said.
I’m married to a Swede. He’s a great multi-tasker. In fact, he takes phone calls and answers his e-mail while we’re having sex to save time, LOL!
Just kidding. (Well, his Mother DOES tend to call us at inopportune moments, but whose doesn’t?)
I think this study is slightly bogus. They might be doing fine right now, but the ‘lack-o-replacement-births’ in that part of the world is going to catch up with them quickly.
I work 60 hour weeks and run a small farm; tend animals and a large garden and orchard and STILL have time to Freep (and not ‘One Freeping Minute’ of it is at work!)
My own multi-tasking skills would put a Swede to shame. ;)
Individual freedom and individual responsibility goes hand in hand.
One of the most admired Swedish managers ever, Jan Carlzon - former president and CEO of Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS) - once said something like this:
“A person not entrusted with freedom will never act in a responsible way and a human being not expected to behave responsibly will, likewise, never act like a free individual”.
- People like you are truly worthy of admiration.
Keep up the good work!
Thanks. But I do it for the money, not the Glory, LOL!
“I can’t speak about the rest of Scandinavia but Norway is rich because of oil.Period.”
- Venezuela, Iran and Libya have a lot of oil too. Why are these countries poor while Norway is not?
Per capita income is a better measure than “wages.” At least that’s what I learned in graduate level economics. Purchasing power parity (PPP) is even better than that.
- “Per capita income is a better measure than “wages.”
Says who?
Average Swedes earn more money than average US Americans. Because of this, they drive better cars, have more living space and can afford to travel more etc, etc.
“Purchasing power parity (PPP) is even better than that.”
- GDP/Capita by PPP is a recalculation of nominal GDP/Capita. Again, this measurement does not acknowledge the fact that Swedes HAVE LESS EXPENSES THAN US AMERICANS (Swedes can use a larger percentage of their pay for sheer ‘consumption’ than US Americans). The GDP/Capita by PPP measurement make nations with comparatively low levels of taxation look rich in comparison to economies like the Scandinavian ones, basically because sales taxes are very high in the Nordic countries (around 25%). The GDP/Capita by PPP measurement fails to recognize that Scandinavians actually get something in return for paying high taxes (free university education, low cost health care and so on).
Of course, one might argue with the traditional Swedish stance on welfare and taxation issues out of ideological reasons, but this doesn’t alter basic economical facts.
Personally, I think most kind of taxes could be lowered in Sweden as our economy today is exceptionally strong. Fortunately, our present (Conservative led) government thinks so too.
what else is there to do with only 4 hours of sunlight
on dec 21st?
but work.
Simply put. Would you rather earn $50000/yr. in a place where homes cost $300,000 or $40000/yr. in a place where homes cost $200,000. That’s the difference in PPP.
on dec 21st?
but work.”
- I won’t deny that, especially, November and a large part of December is a period of the year that is rather depressing here in Scandinavia.
BUT;
The way we celebrate Christmas in our part of the world really compensates for this gloominess.
In this context however, what really ought to be remembered is the importance of Scandinavian Summers. During this time of year the sun actually never sets.
Nothing compares to experiencing a Swedish lake half past 3 a June/July/August morning. Nature at its best.
You are wasting your time trying to explain. Some people here believe that the US is richer/better/smarter/etc in every category than every country in the world without exception and that any data that disproves that is false.
“Simply put. Would you rather earn $50000/yr. in a place where homes cost $300,000 or $40000/yr. in a place where homes cost $200,000. That’s the difference in PPP.”
- Housing is more expensive in the US than it is in Sweden while wages are higher in the latter country.
On the other hand, things like gas and groceries are cheaper in the US.
Anyhow, let’s have a look at what kind of house an average family easily could afford in the Stockholm area (consisting of say, a car mechanic and a nurse and two children).
In Stockholm, wages are higher than in most other parts of Sweden and houses, hardly surprising, cost more. Admittedly, none of these houses has a nice kitchen, but I still deem them rather attractive.
Below, houses in the price range of $ 400 000 - 500 000 not very far from Stockholm (remember average wages are around $ 42 000-45 000 in Stockholm).
http://www.svenskfast.se/Pages/ObjectViewPictures.aspx?objectid=3CRSC7AK1RSKC846
http://www.svenskfast.se/Pages/ObjectViewPictures.aspx?objectid=3D0R73FPT84K0H65
http://www.svenskfast.se/Pages/ObjectViewPictures.aspx?objectid=3CJJG0FHB3IR225M
Funny you haven’t mentioned tax burden, have you? Sweden is definitely higher than the US, huh? Bottom line, right hand corner, purchasing power parity cuts through the bs. You STILL make more and keep more and can spend more in the US than in Sweden. Its a better deal overall.
“Funny you haven’t mentioned tax burden, have you?”
- I have.
Just look to what I wrote about sales taxes above.
Our high sales taxes is one of the major reasons why Scandinavians suffer from more of tax burdens than US Americans and they also explain why many everyday consumables are more expensive over here.
However, corporate taxes are much lower in Scandinavia and income taxes are more or less at the same level, from what I’ve understood (around 30%).
In one way it ought to be remembered here that a dollar will buy you more in the US than in Sweden, but it is also worth pointing out that an average Swedish family, apart from enjoying a high income, has very modest expenses for child care, health care and education.
Look you are giving anecdotal evidence and I am going with national economic statistics. I am sorry, but I am not going to buy unsubstantiated bits of data. The bottom line is that the average American is better off than the average Swede. Period. And what’s more, is given the difference in the growth rates between the two economies, the American standard of living is ahead of and pulling away from that of Sweden. Those are the facts homie.
“And what’s more, is given the difference in the growth rates between the two economies, the American standard of living is ahead of and pulling away from that of Sweden.”
- You seem to be confusing Scandinavian/Swedish economic growth rates with those of Europe at large.
Sweden has enjoyed much healthier levels of growth than large European countries like France, Italy and Germany the last 15 years.
Presently, the Swedish GDP is growing at a pace well over 4% on an annual basis while the US economy is not.
All the same, the US economy is still looking very good despite the recent slowdown.
The world needs more Scandinavians. Why don’t you people produce more of them?
Corruption in Venezuela, Islam in Iran and Libya.
“The world needs more Scandinavians. Why don’t you people produce more of them?”
- There is no excuse really.
Hopefully, a different attitude towards traditions and family issues is evolving in Scandinavia.
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