Functional wellbeing services for the people of Southwest Finland are best secured through broad-based cooperation between the wellbeing region, companies, and the third sector. This may sound simple—even selfevident. However, cooperation requires mutual understanding and trust, as well as structures and interaction that enable productive and effective joint work.
In their book Strateginen kumppanuus (Strategic Partnership), Ståhle and Laento divide partnership into three categories: operational partnership, tactical partnership, and strategic partnership. A typical operational partnership is temporary, continuously competitive, contract-based, and costefficient. Operational partners focus on their own core business. Tactical partnership is more open and deepens over time. Its aim is not only to achieve cost savings but also to learn new things. The goals of a tactical partnership are set with both parties in mind.
Strategic partnership, in turn, aims for both parties to gain strategic advantage in the market. This form of partnership requires a high level of trust and regular, diverse dialogue. Collaboration can be built through pilot projects, for example, where all actors have equal roles. This type of networkbased cooperation structure also requires different leadership compared to operational or tactical partnerships.
In Southwest Finland, we are actively building cooperation between the wellbeing services county (Varha) and other regional actors. Varha, the Turku Chamber of Commerce, and the Federation of Finnish Enterprises in Southwest Finland have jointly designed structures and dialogue to strengthen mutual understanding, trust, and practical collaboration. The first concrete cooperation meetings are planned for this spring.
We want to promote cooperation toward strategic partnerships that are based on trust and enhance the competitiveness and value creation of all parties. Our goal is to achieve strong synergies—meaning that customers receive better social and healthcare services more costeffectively. Varha’s own expertise and activities are complemented by the competence of companies and the third sector. Commitment to shared goals ensures that everyone can confidently develop their processes and share successful practices.
Social and health services are an important factor affecting the region’s attractiveness for businesses. They also represent a significant market in which many innovative companies and thirdsector actors operate. Through cooperation, we can not only create a functional social and healthcare service landscape but also build an appealing and successful Southwest Finland—a region where companies thrive and residents enjoy a high quality of life.
Together, we shape the future ahead.
Turku Chamber of Commerce, Wellbeing and Health Committee
Tomi Gustafsson, Chair
Kaisa Leiwo, Secretary