Sharpening tools and strategies of Qualitative comparison analysis. Case study of contemporary Lithuanian activities in EU CSDP context

Abstract

The absence of clear research methodology that could support investigation of state's participation effectiveness in different organizations from security perspective facilitated suggestion for possible improvements in fuzzy-set technique in Qualitative comparison analysis (QCA). Authors argues that proposed empowerments provide alternative look in to QCA while using different multi fuzzy-set approach in QCA, facilitates better data visualization outputs and ultimately proposes subsequent methodological way in examining state's efficiency aspect while participating in different international/regional organizations. At the same time case study is introduced, which is designed using proposed research methodology that analyzes contemporary Lithuanian activities in EU Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) context and their contribution towards security of Lithuania. The outcomes of this article show that new technique could be practiced thoroughly not only when considering research on the efficiency of state's defence policies, but also could be used in analyzing other aspects of state's participation in different international/regional formats.