Suosiminen

Suosiminen is a Finnish noun that denotes the act of favoring or giving preference to something or someone. It can refer to both a neutral decision-making process in which one option is prioritized over others and to the broader notion of showing preferential treatment. The word is derived from the verb suosia, meaning to favor or support.

In social and political contexts, suosiminen describes practices where resources, attention, or opportunities are directed toward particular groups, policies, or individuals. This can be legitimate and targeted, for example when measures are designed to help disadvantaged groups, or it can be seen as favoritism or bias if it bypasses equal treatment.

In business, administration, and research, suosiminen may refer to prioritization rules, procurement choices, or strategic emphasis that give certain vendors, regions, or products an advantage. In data science and digital services, it can describe how ranking or recommendation systems bias results to reflect user preferences, sponsorships, or contractual arrangements.

Because the term encompasses both neutral and potentially ethically problematic meanings, its connotation depends on context and perspective. Related terms include suositus (recommendation), suosio (popularity), preferenssi (preference), and suosittelu (advising or recommending).