3. The Finnish National Workplace Development Program as a New Approach in Public Policy

This paper presents the aims and main focus areas of the Finnish National Workplace Development Programme. The Government-initiated programme in which also the social partners are involved was launched in 1996, and it will continue until 2003. The author considers that, using wisely, the high legitimacy programme-based workplace development enjoys in Finland today may prove to be an important source of competitive advantage for the country.