Open AccessConstructing certainty through public budgeting: budgetary responses to the COVID-19 pandemic in Finland, Norway and Sweden
Author(s) -
Daniela Argento,
Katarina Kaarbøe,
Jarmo Vakkuri
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of public budgeting, accounting and financial management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.231
H-Index - 11
eISSN - 1945-1814
pISSN - 1096-3367
DOI - 10.1108/jpbafm-07-2020-0093
Subject(s) - certainty , mindset , originality , pandemic , covid-19 , ambiguity , value (mathematics) , political science , economics , sociology , qualitative research , social science , medicine , philosophy , linguistics , disease , epistemology , pathology , machine learning , computer science , infectious disease (medical specialty)
Purpose This paper provides a reflective comparison of the budgetary implications of the COVID-19 pandemic for three Nordic countries: Finland, Norway and Sweden. Design/methodology/approach By drawing from the notion of ambiguity and constructions of certainty, this study analyzes the most relevant budgetary allocations and packages implemented by the governments of Finland, Norway and Sweden in response to the COVID-19 crisis using empirical documentary data. Findings Influenced by the need to save citizens' lives and protect the economy, the three countries have interpreted the COVID-19 threat in different ways. While Finland and Norway seem to be fighting a war against the virus, Sweden appears to view COVID-19 as an exceptionally difficult flu. These different perspectives are reflected in the strategies and budgetary responses implemented in the three countries. Originality/value By elaborating on the ambiguities of reality, causality and intentionality, this paper shows how the budgeting mindset aimed at creating certainties among citizens varies among the Nordic countries, which are generally assumed to be similar.