Suchergebnisse

The article analyses main features of processes of political/administrative decision initiation and evaluation in Lithuanian municipalities. Demand of development of decision-making process in municipalities was inspired by: a) decentralization; b) changes in the institutional structure of municipalities; c) economic/social partner and municipalities cooperation in making important to communities municipal decisions. The most relevant areas of decision-making improvement are analyzed using methods of sociological survey and organizational structure analyses. Results of the research shows that a great number of Lithuanian municipalities strives to ensure high quality of decision making and suggestion discussing. Nevertheless, it is very common for municipalities while reacting to the problems to thrust decisions, to form the policy and make decisions instead of arriving at consensus and decision planning. ; Straipsnyje siekiama nustatyti Lietuvos savivaldybėse vyraujančią politinių administracinių sprendimų (PAS) iniciavimo tvarką, pagrindines pasiūlymų vertinimo problemas. Siekiant šio tikslo 2004–2005 m. atlikta savivaldybių atstovų sociologinė apklausa, struktūrizuotas interviu ir savivaldybių organizacinės struktūros analizė. Tyrimo rezultatai parodė, kad sprendimų, pasiūlymų iniciavimo, svarstymo bei priėmimo tvarka Lietuvos savivaldybėse nevienoda, PAS laisvė nepagrįstai suvaržyta centrinės valdžios institucijų, savivaldybėse nėra sukurta bendra informacijos apie sprendimų poreikį surinkimo sistema, menkai vertinama piliečių iniciatyva. Ištyrus PAS pasiūlymų vertinimo ypatumus paaiškėjo, kad savivaldybėse aktyviai steigiamos savivaldybių tarybų Kolegijos bei komisijos aktualiems klausimams ir pasiūlymams nagrinėti. Vis dėlto savivaldybėse nepakankamai naudojamasi ekspertų pagalba vertinant PAS pasiūlymus, sprendimų vertinimo procesai pernelyg sutelkti politinės viršūnės rankose. Reikšmingiausia PAS pasiūlymų vertinimo problema – sprendimų vertinimo metodikų trūkumas: nėra formalizuoti kriterijai, pagal kuriuos būtų vertinamas socialinis pasiūlymų ar projektų poreikis bei aktualumas. Apibendrinant galima teigti, kad dauguma Lietuvos savivaldybių siekia sprendimų priėmimo bei pasiūlymų svarstymo procesų kokybės. Vis dėlto lieka neišspręstos racionalaus planavimo ir politinių strateginių sprendimų integravimo problemos. Savivaldybėms būdingas ne konsensuso ir sprendimų planavimo, o reagavimo į iškylančias problemas, primetant sprendimus, politikos formavimo bei sprendimų priėmimo stilius.

The aims of this article are to describe the fundamental connection between State government, counties and municipalities and to expose peculiarities of interaction of State government subjects and Local Self-government institutions. The survey method is grounded on the systemic research and analysis of the Lithuanian legal acts: Law on the Local Self-government, Law on the Governing of the County and Law on the Regional Development. The main conclusions of the article are following: a) the objects, functions and responsibility of Regional institutions and Counties are separated by legal acts, but in fact Regional institutions and Counties are indivisible unit; b) in reality municipalities become subordinate to the State government and restraint from Self-government institutions appreciable by limited liberty of decision making and finance resources, and intensive state inspection of procedures; c) there is not fully realized principle of decentralization. In the future State government system and Local Self-government reforms could take the way of self-governmental regions making and the power, functions and decision making competence of municipalities could be extended. ; Straipsnyje nagrinėjami centrinių valstybės valdymo subjektų ir savivaldybių sąveikos ypatumai, regioninės valstybės politikos ir vietos savivaldos santykis, apskričių sąsajos su savivaldybėmis bei vietos gyventojais. Išanalizavus Lietuvos Respublikos vietos savivaldos, Regioninės plėtros ir Apskrities valdymo įstatymus, teigiama, jog santykiai tarp valstybės valdymo subjektų ir savivaldybių yra grįsti įvairialype ir detalia kontrole, varžančia savivaldos plėtojimą; regionai ir apskritys institucijų požiūriu egzistuoja kaip nedalomas vienetas, todėl tarp valstybės valdymo ir savivaldos sistemų egzistuoja Konstitucijoje nenumatyti pavaldumo ryšiai; pažeidžiamas subsidiarumo principas: Apskrities valdymo įstatymas nustato konkrečius santykius su pavieniais gyventojais ne jų pačių, bet valstybės iniciatyva. Straipsnyje pateiktas teorinis sisteminis valstybės valdymo modelis. Jame patobulinti valstybės institucijų bei savivaldybių ryšiai, supaprastinti gyventojų bei valdžios institucijų santykiai.

The partnership structure influences the possibility to implement joint goals in general. It can develop, maintain or encumber the collaboration process and value of a partnership. Thus, the facilitative structure of a partnership is an actual constituent of efficient inter-organizational partnership implementation. The aim of the research is to develop a conceptual structural model for effective interorganizational partnership in Local Government. There are two such models presented in the article. Models are based on principles of involvement, participation, commitment, personal and group responsibility and comprise vertical and horizontal interaction of social subjects. These models: a) allow to reduce bureaucratic obstacles that occur because of the influence and powers of sponsoring institutions and supervisory authorities on initiation and implementation of inter-organizational programmes and projects; b) eliminate subordinate relations among municipalities and other partnership participants; c) encourages social responsibility of interorganizational interaction participants since organizations realizing programmes and projects become partially economically interested not only in achievement of the set goals but also in assurance of positive social effect in a long-term perspective. ; Savivaldybės užtikrina ryšį tarp piliečių, bendruomenių, įvairių organizacijų ir valstybės institucijų. Svarbu užtikrinti kokybišką šių socialinių subjektų sąveikos egzistavimą, gebėti integruoti ir įgyvendinti skirtingus jų tikslus. Tiek mokslininkai, tiek praktikai sutaria, kad vietos savivaldoje ir apskritai viešajame sektoriuje partnerystė ir bendradarbiavimas suteikia didžiausią naudą plačiausiam naudos gavėjų ratui. Galimybę pasiekti organizacijų bendrai užsibrėžtus tikslus, įgyvendinti jungtinius projektus ypatingai veikia partnerystės struktūra. Ji gali skatinti, remti arba stabdyti bendradarbiavimo procesą, įtakoti partnerystės teikiamą naudą. Tad straipsnyje susitelkiama į vietos savivaldos tarporganizacinės partnerystės struktūrinio modelio paieškas: apibendrinami teoriniai organizacijų sąveikos modeliai, diskutuojami ekspertų apklausos, kurios tikslas – identifikuoti partnerystės įgyvendinimo problemas, kylančias dėl netinkamos organizacinės struktūros, rezultatai. Teorinio bei empirinio tyrimo pagrindu konstruojami du skirtingos apimties konceptualieji vietos savivaldos tarporganizacinės partnerystės struktūriniai modeliai. Pateiktieji modeliai apjungia vertikaliąją bei horizontaliąją socialinių subjektų sąveiką ir yra pagrįsti interesų grupių įtraukimo, dalyvavimo, įsipareigojimo ir asmeninės bei grupinės atsakomybės principais. Šie modeliai: a) panaikina tiesioginio pavaldumo ryšius tarp savivaldybių, valstybės institucijų, kitų organizacijų ir tarporganizacinės programos arba projekto įgyvendintojų; b) atveria daugiau galimybių socialiniams subjektams veikti proaktyviai, kadangi leidžia sumažinti biurokratinius suvaržymus, iškylančius dėl suinteresuotų organizacijų ir priežiūros institucijų įtakos, taip pat - dėl galios, inicijuojant ir įgyvendinant partnerystės programas ir projektus; c) skatina tarporganizacinės sąveikos dalyvių socialinę atsakomybę ir sudaro sąlygas užtikrinti teigiamą socialinį poveikį ilgalaikėje perspektyvoje.

Purpose. The goal of the paper is to discuss the potential benefits and to highlight the drawbacks of integrated management system for organizations that seek to improve management process. Methodology. Methods of the research were used: analysis of a scientific and special literature that presents the requirements, models and results of integrated management systems studies, and analysis of statistical data to assess actuality of integrated management systems for enterprises in Lithuania. Findings. Summarizing research findings, it should be stated that the implementation of management system integration should be based on provision of social responsibility and holistic approach to the organization. It requires the long-term united efforts of leaders in a strategic hierarchical level and high organizational maturity to ensure the fluency of the running stages of planning management system integration, preparing documentations, implementing and realizing integrated management system. Also it is necessary to purify the conception of integrated management system in organizational context. Theoretical analysis of integrated management systems show, that all of the management systems can not be well integrated in principle. They can only be partly integrated and coordinated. A need to question the level of integration of management systems is very important as in scientific discourse as in practice. It is important to mark, that the number of organizations, that seek to optimize management processes by implementing the integrated management systems is rapidly increasing in Lithuania, too. It shows that benefit associated with integration of management systems is apprehensible in Lithuania. Advantages of integrated management systems can certainly become even stronger if scientists and practicians join their forces in search of methods of organizational management development. Research limitations. The research limitations related to a lack of integrated management systems implementation studies in Lithuanian scientific literature. That hinders the possibility to frame specific recommendations to the practicians in Lithuania. Practical implications and value. In the contemporary world, coordination and supervision of management systems is a complex aim, which needs constant redesigning and innovations; organizations are challenged to optimize their management constantly. One of potentialities can be implementing an integrated management system. Traditionally, it consists of the quality management, employees' health and safety management, social responsibility management and environmental protection management migration to one management system. As there is no international standard, that would submit unambiguous recommendations about ensuring the management system integration, every organization copes with this assignment on it's own. The paper gives value both to managers and to scientists who are interested in advantages and limitations of integrated management systems in general because of a generalized systemic approach to the research issue. ; Spartūs socialiniai ir technologiniai pokyčiai, didėjanti konkurencija, didėjantis sociumo spaudimas plėtoti gamybą ir paslaugas, tausojant aplinką bei dirbančųjų sveikatą, skatina organizacijas į savo veiklą bei išorės iššūkius žiūrėti itin kompleksiškai. Norint sėkmingai veržtis pirmyn, organizacijų vadovams tenka ieškoti naujų veiklos valdymo tobulinimo būdų. Šiuo tikslu vis daugiau pažangių organizacijų pasirenka vadybos optimizavimo sprendimą – įdiegti vadinamąją integruotos vadybos sistemą, apimančią kokybės, darbuotojų saugos ir sveikatos, socialinės atsakomybės bei aplinkos apsaugos tarptautinių standartų reikalavimus. Keleto standartų sujungimas į vieną vadybos sistemą leidžia iš esmės padidinti organizacijos ekonominį veiksmingumą, tuo pat metu pagerinant gaminių ir paslaugų kokybę, produktyvumą bei organizacijos įvaizdį. [.]

Inter-organisational partnerships bring enormous benefit to the widest circle of stakeholders. Nevertheless, agreeing to collaborate does not automatically ensure success of the partnership and give a positive social, economical or even organisational impact. According to the scientists, institutional interferences, economic or government disincentives and decision-making handicaps could create significant obstacles to partnership efficiency. The article examines success factors of the inter-organisational partnership effectiveness in local government, with reference to an opinion of Lithuania's local government representatives. The partnerships' success factors indicated by the Lithuanian practitioners coincide with the ones formulated by foreign researchers. However, they are slowly put into practice because of systemic and managerial impediments preventing inter-organisational partnership. ; Laikmečio pokyčių kontekste partnerystė tampa viena vertingiausių organizacijų veiklos strategijų. Dėl savybės suderinti įvairiapusius interesus tarporganizacinis bendradarbiavimas aktualus viešajam administravimui ir ypač vietos savivaldai. Deja, organizacijų pasiryžimas bendradarbiauti savaime neužtikrina partnerystės sėkmės. Straipsnio tikslas – išsiaiškinti pagrindinius partnerystės trikdžius bei apibrėžti veiksnius, kuriuos vietos savivaldos tarnautojai laiko partnerystės varomosiomis jėgomis. Straipsnio išvados formuluojamos struktūrizuoto tarporganizacinės partnerystės ekspertų interviu rezultatų pagrindu. Atliktas tyrimas rodo, jog partnerystės įgyvendinimo sunkumai kyla dėl bendradarbiaujančių organizacijų išorinės aplinkos neigiamos įtakos ir tarporganizacinės sąveikos valdymo trūkumų. Atkreiptinas dėmesys, jog apklaustųjų tarnautojų nurodyti tarporganizacinės partnerystės sėkmės veiksniai sutampa su užsienio mokslininkų suformuluotaisiais bendradarbiavimo bei partnerystės principais, tačiau dėl sisteminių aplinkos bei valdymo suvaržymų vangiai įgyvendinami praktikoje.

Theoretical and practical aspects of inter-organizational interaction are developed in a dissertation. The first chapter of the thesis analyses the theoretical background of the inter-organizational interaction in a thorough and integrated way. There is an overview of Lithuanian scholars' contribution in analysis of different problems related to partnerships and collaboration, the analysis of the inter-organizational interaction concept contents, the analysis of the inter-organizational interaction models, definition of the collaboration determinants, the purification of inter-organizational interaction forms, the description of the joint activities aspects among the main Local Government authorities and other organizations. The second part analyses the practical aspects of the Local Government inter-organizational interaction. The first stage of research aimed at highlighting the peculiarities of organization and management of inter-organizational interaction in the municipalities and at defining the main problems. For this purpose, the examples of inter-organizational interaction of Local Government and other public, private and non-government sector organizations were analysed. In the second stage of research, the inter-organizational interaction is analysed on the micro level. The main objective of the research was to define the features of the meetings of inter-organizational interaction subjects and to highlight the most typical meeting organization and management problems. In order to understand how the contents of different interaction forms is understood the third stage of research contained research based on questionnaires, which were completed by the Local Government representatives, who are experienced in the practical aspects of inter-organizational interaction. The final part of the thesis features conclusions and extensive recommendations for raising the effectiveness and efficiency of the inter-organizational interaction of Local Government in Lithuania.

Theoretical and practical aspects of inter-organizational interaction are developed in a dissertation. The first chapter of the thesis analyses the theoretical background of the inter-organizational interaction in a thorough and integrated way. There is an overview of Lithuanian scholars' contribution in analysis of different problems related to partnerships and collaboration, the analysis of the inter-organizational interaction concept contents, the analysis of the inter-organizational interaction models, definition of the collaboration determinants, the purification of inter-organizational interaction forms, the description of the joint activities aspects among the main Local Government authorities and other organizations. The second part analyses the practical aspects of the Local Government inter-organizational interaction. The first stage of research aimed at highlighting the peculiarities of organization and management of inter-organizational interaction in the municipalities and at defining the main problems. For this purpose, the examples of inter-organizational interaction of Local Government and other public, private and non-government sector organizations were analysed. In the second stage of research, the inter-organizational interaction is analysed on the micro level. The main objective of the research was to define the features of the meetings of inter-organizational interaction subjects and to highlight the most typical meeting organization and management problems. In order to understand how the contents of different interaction forms is understood the third stage of research contained research based on questionnaires, which were completed by the Local Government representatives, who are experienced in the practical aspects of inter-organizational interaction. The final part of the thesis features conclusions and extensive recommendations for raising the effectiveness and efficiency of the inter-organizational interaction of Local Government in Lithuania.

The aims of this article are to describe the fundamental connection between State government, counties and municipalities and to expose peculiarities of interaction of State government subjects and Local Self-government institutions. The survey method is grounded on the systemic research and analysis of the Lithuanian legal acts: Law on the Local Self-government, Law on the Governing of the County and Law on the Regional Development. The main conclusions of the article are following: a) the objects, functions and responsibility of Regional institutions and Counties are separated by legal acts, but in fact Regional institutions and Counties are indivisible unit; b) in reality municipalities become subordinate to the State government and restraint from Self-government institutions appreciable by limited liberty of decision making and finance resources, and intensive state inspection of procedures; c) there is not fully realized principle of decentralization. In the future State government system and Local Self-government reforms could take the way of self-governmental regions making and the power, functions and decision making competence of municipalities could be extended

The aims of this article are to describe the fundamental connection between State government, counties and municipalities and to expose peculiarities of interaction of State government subjects and Local Self-government institutions. The survey method is grounded on the systemic research and analysis of the Lithuanian legal acts: Law on the Local Self-government, Law on the Governing of the County and Law on the Regional Development. The main conclusions of the article are following: a) the objects, functions and responsibility of Regional institutions and Counties are separated by legal acts, but in fact Regional institutions and Counties are indivisible unit; b) in reality municipalities become subordinate to the State government and restraint from Self-government institutions appreciable by limited liberty of decision making and finance resources, and intensive state inspection of procedures; c) there is not fully realized principle of decentralization. In the future State government system and Local Self-government reforms could take the way of self-governmental regions making and the power, functions and decision making competence of municipalities could be extended

The phenomenon of the welfare state is characterized by complexity of indicators. To determine in which areas the country is closer to the welfare state, various areas of social policy are analysed. In this article, we set out to investigate one of them, i.e., the accessibility of social services for children with disabilities. The European Union ensures the basic preconditions for the well-being of children with disabilities and emphasizes the compatibility of health, social and educational services (European Commission, 2021). In addition, Member States are free to introduce specific measures for social inclusion (COM, 2021). The well-being of children with disabilities is inseparable from that of adults, usually the family in which the children live. Depending on the child's disability, the family has to devote time to the child's special needs, so opportunities to function in society, such as working and earning an income, become dependent on the social assistance received for the disabled child. Research shows that participation in labour market processes reduces the social exclusion of families with children with disabilities and improves quality of life indicators in general (Stefanidis & Strogilos 2020). However, analysis of good practice is more common, while information about the lack of services that parents face difficulties remains overboard. Thus, our research contributes to a better understanding of how families raising children with disabilities use state-provided social services and what solutions and measures are needed to improve the quality of life of children with disabilities and their relatives. The practical implications of our article are revealed through the possibility of more confidently shaping the decisions and measures of the welfare state.The article presents results of a survey of 68 families with disabled children. Our research was conducted in Druskininkai municipality which has typical infrastructure of social services for the disabled and their families in Lithuania.Our study has shown that social services in Lithuania poorly meet needs of families with disabled children. Though social inclusion is one of the most important features of the welfare state, the provision of social services to disabled and their families goes beyond the concept in Druskininkai municipality at least. Families have little information about social guarantees and support provided by the state and municipality. The families are limited to services reported by health care and education institutions. Moreover, the most significant problem hindering social integration of disabled and their families is a small portion of disabled children using services of day care centre. As a result, children suffer at risk of social exclusion while disabled children's parents lack of opportunities to fully participate in the labour market.Based on the results of the study we state that increasing the availability of social services that meet the needs of families with disabled children is a necessary social policy solution, without which the development of a welfare state in Lithuania is hardly possible. ; Socialinių paslaugų prieinamumas yra vienas iš gerovės valstybės kriterijų socialinės politikos srityje. Straipsnyje apžvelgiamos socialinių paslaugų vaikus su negalia auginančioms šeimoms vartojimo ypatybės Lietuvoje. Vaiko su negalia gerovė neatsiejama nuo suaugusiųjų asmenų, dažniausiai šeimos, kurioje jis gyvena. Priklausomai nuo vaiko neįgalumo lygmens, šeimai tenka daugiau ar mažiau laiko skirti išskirtiniams vaiko poreikiams, todėl ribojamos tėvų galimybės įvairiapusiškai funkcionuoti visuomenėje, didėja socialinė atskirtis. Straipsnyje pristatytas tyrimas stiprina supratimą, kaip neįgalius vaikus auginančios šeimos naudojasi valstybės teikiamomis socialinėmis paslaugomis ir kokių sprendimų bei priemonių reikėtų, kad neįgaliųjų vaikų ir jų artimųjų gyvenimo kokybė taptų geresnė.

Abstract

Objective: According to researchers, visuality appeals to the cognitive aspects of image consumption, hence, the nature of information technologies becomes more important than the content itself. Based on this relevance, the article's aim is twofold: when seeking to better understand the phenomenon of visual information to analyse the visual communication experience of public relation professionals who apply visual solutions to achieve a specific effect in their work.

Methodology: A quasi-structured in-depth interview of the experts and the method of interpretive phenomenological analysis were used to gather and process the data of the research.

Findings: The paper presents insights into the interaction between receiver's visual information experience and one's world view. The research revealed that the visual information influences a person's perception and interpretation of a message when it serves as supplement for information alongside text in press, advertisement, etc.

Value Added: Based on the research, the visual information experience was defined as an instantaneous action of giving meaning to personal experience and imagination by finding the intersection of narratives between the image and oneself.

Recommendations: A narrow boundary exists between the stimulation and constriction of the observer's imagination when analysing the visual message. With the help of image communication, a new reality can be created. To reach effective communication, it is recommended to avoid abstract images that allow the observer's imagination to give it whole other meanings than intended by the sender of the message.

The article analyses the factors that influence the organizational resilience of public welfare organizations providing social services. Organizational resilience determines the ability of organizations to adapt and overcome unforeseen changes caused by the external environment. The article distinguishes the theoretical principles of organizational resilience and presents the results of the research, on the basis of which the preconditions for strengthening the resistance of organizations are based, and an empirical model of organizational resilience key factors is proposed.

The article analyses the factors that influence the organizational resilience of public welfare organizations providing social services. Organizational resilience determines the ability of organizations to adapt and overcome unforeseen changes caused by the external environment. The article distinguishes the theoretical principles of organizational resilience and presents the results of the research, on the basis of which the preconditions for strengthening the resistance of organizations are based, and an empirical model of organizational resilience key factors is proposed. ; Straipsnyje teoriškai ir empiriškai apibrėžiami veiksniai, turintys esminę įtaką socialinės globos paslaugas teikiančių organizacijų atsparumui sudėtingomis išorinių aplinkybių sąlygomis. Taip pat išskiriami organizacijų atsparumo teoriniai principai ir pristatomi socialinės globos paslaugas teikiančių organizacijų vadovų apklausos rezultatai. Remiantis apklausos rezultatais apibrėžiami socialinės globos paslaugas teikiančių organizacijų atsparumo veiksniai. Tyrime dalyvavo 164 respondentai – socialinės globos paslaugas teikiančių organizacijų vadovai. Tyrimo rezultatai leidžia pagilinti supratimą apie organizacijų atsparumą. Tyrimas aktualus reformų kontekste, nes įgyvendinant Lietuvos pažangos strategiją "Lietuva 2030" vyks socialinės politikos pokyčių, todėl svarbu įvertinti laimėjimus ir pasirengti efektyviai įgyvendinti numatytą pažangą.

In the wake of Brexit, the change scenarios discussed by the EU speak of a higher decision independence in member states. Therefore, Lithuania faces a task to essentially review the practice of policy of agriculture. Also, the changes in balance of the power of stakeholders have become mandatory in consideration of global market, changing consumers' needs and technological progress. Thus, a current tradition where interest groups represent the stakeholders' rather than participate in protecting joint interests, should be changed. With respect to the relevance, the goal of the article is to propose the conceptual model of balanced stakeholder power in the processes of decision making when forming agrarian policy. Theoretical approach of collaborative governance was invoked along with meta-analysis of publications on stakeholder participation, collaboration and empowerment. ; Suinteresuotųjų dalyvavimas formuojant ir įgyvendinant agrarinę politiką tapo itin aktualus iššūkis Lietuvai. ES svarstomi naujo laikotarpio politikos pokyčių scenarijai kalba apie didesnį sprendimų savarankiškumą šalyse narėse. Dėl to Lietuvai kyla uždavinys iš esmės peržiūrėti agrarinės politikos įgyvendinimo principus. Suinteresuotųjų galios balanso pokyčiai globalios rinkos, kintančių vartotojų poreikių ir technologinės pažangos sąlygomis tapo būtini dar ir dėl to, kad nebepakanka ligšiolinės tradicijos, kai asocijuotos interesų grupės daugiau reprezentuoja, nei gina atstovaujamus interesus. Šios problematikos pagrindu formuluojamas straipsnio tikslas – pateikti koncepcinį agrarinio sektoriaus suinteresuotųjų galios pusiausvyros modelį. Tikslui pasiekti pasitelkta valdysenos bendradarbiaujant teorinė prieiga ir mokslinių publikacijų meta-analizė.

Authors of the paper propose the hierarchical model for management of strategic changes in municipalities and applicate it in their empirical research. Th e model explains the relations between the goals and volume of strategic changes, designates the type of changes and also indicates the management level of the municipality in which the appropriate decisions have to be made. 25 Lithuania's municipalities were investigated. Heads of municipality administration and their deputies expressed their opinion about implementation of strategic changes in a political and administration level of municipality performance as well as assessed the municipality work quality in the volume of functions delegated by the State.