FOREIGN INVESTORS INTEREST TO JANAKKALA MUNICIPALITY: creating an operating model to attract foreign direct real estate investments

Abstract

The declining vitality and loss of migration are phenomena that affect several Finnish municipalities. Municipalities like Janakkala must constantly be concerned about the maintenance and development of vitality. This thesis aimed to investigate the foreign investor’s interest to municipality and the conditions foreign investors set when making investment decisions. The study primarily concerned direct foreign investments in industrial properties or through new construction. The research aim was to produce a new operating model for attracting foreign direct real estate investments to the municipality.

The research was a technical action research combined with a qualitative method. Attention was paid to the operating environment, and activities were mirrored through the stakeholders. The inductive content analysis was part of the research process, and the data was collected through open-form and on-site interviews. The primary data consists of interview answers. The secondary data consists of literature, publications, and research that was made and researched on the subject.

As a result, five actual areas were found that can be used in future development. The purpose of the research was to map the interest of foreign investors in the municipality and to help to strength improving vitality with international actions. The first consideration was that business platforms should be attractive to international investors. The pages are in Finnish and do not directly serve foreign companies. Also, during the research, it became clear that strong expertise and development needs were identified, but the activity with foreign actors was lacking. It is possible to take the development proposal resulting from the research as a part of the vitality program and the next upcoming council term.