Managing national security: Analysis of the provision of societal security in the case of Finland

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master_Guidastri_Alberto_2024.pdf (2.08 MB)

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School of Business | Master's thesis
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Date

2024

Department

Johtamisen laitos

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Mcode

Degree programme

mib

Language

en

Pages

102

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Abstract

Security is widely regarded as a fundamental condition for society's existence. The concept of security is tied to its temporal, cultural, and geographical context and as such, there is no theoretical limit to the number of different concepts of security in society. Modernization challenges the ideological structures upon which security institutions and objects have traditionally been built. This shift has brought new threats to the forefront of security discourse, expanding the conceptualization of security, which has made the management of security in society increasingly challenging. Since societies rely on security, efforts have been made to conceptually control the expansion of security with more holistic security management approaches. However, the questions of how and by whom should security be governed in a complex modern world remain. As the global security environment evolves, traditional threats remain but become increasingly complex. Simultaneously, new types of threats challenge society, whose citizens expect the state to ensure their safety. Due to rapid change and threat development, it is necessary to consider how society manages its security in the future. The study aims to achieve two primary objectives, first to understand how security is conceptualized within a national framework and how different security conceptions interplay. The second objective is to use this understanding to analyze the Finnish national security strategies, particularly focusing on its modern iterations, the Security Strategies for Society, and to evaluate their transformation and adaptation to contemporary threats and societal changes within the conceptualized security framework. The thesis employs a comprehensive literature review to establish a theoretical framework, drawing from various academic fields and perspectives on security. It then applies this framework to a case study of Finland's national security, using qualitative thematic data analysis to compare three different Security Strategies for Society. The research reveals a shift in security governance towards resilience as a central strategic paradigm, which aims to integrate all societal actors in security provision. Key findings highlight the importance of the adoption of hybrid resilience strategies, broadened societal engagement in security, and especially safeguarding individuals and harnessing their capabilities to maintain security. The thesis provides a comprehensive analysis of the evolving nature of national security, highlighting the importance of continuous adaptation and a holistic approach to security governance to effectively manage contemporary security challenges. As such, the thesis offers insights into the Finnish security strategy and its applicability to other national contexts, contributing to the broader field of strategic management and security studies.

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Thesis advisor

Piekkari, Rebecca

Keywords

security, safety, society, security governance, security management, threat, risk, national security

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https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:aalto-202408185520

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[gradu] Kauppakorkeakoulu / BIZ