Academic Engineers and Architects in Finland TEK is composed of a wide variety of people, but they can still be divided into five archetypes, reveals the member survey conducted for TEK by Taloustutkimus near the beginning of the year. The survey gathered responses from 229 students and 1 423 full members.
Universalists make up just over 24 percent of the membership. They believe that a good society is one where income differences are as small as possible, working life should promote equality and success is not a matter of personal choice. They prioritize goals related to regular working hours, and consider climate change a higher priority than economic concerns.
Conservatives make up just over 15 percent. They believe that there is too much talk about equality, it is important to hold on to traditional ways and ideas and employers cannot be trusted to have the employee’s best interests at heart. TEK has to focus on lobbying in the labour market, because working on behalf of better terms of employment is the key.
Materialists make up just over 12 percent. They believe that society should be developed mainly based on economic factors. Taxation should be lighter, even if this means cutting back on welfare services. Materialists negotiate their salaries and terms of employment themselves. They believe that TEK is not needed as a player in society.
Success-driven people make up just over 22 percent. They feel it is important to take their career as far as possible, and they like to pursue decision-making positions. They believe that technology offers the best solutions to environmental crises and economic indicators to social development. For them, TEK is a facilitator of research, technology and product development.
World savers make up just under 26 percent of the membership. Their priorities are climate change and equality and minority issues, and they expect action to be taken to address these issues. For them, TEK is an important promoter of causes that are seen as positive, from salaries to occupational wellbeing, non-discrimination and inclusivity.