| Abstract [eng] |
In addition to the already established rational and participatory approaches, the design approach is increasingly being used in the public policy-making process. In the case of Lithuania, design methods and tools have previously been used and analyzed to address local content issues, but the Policy Lab team at the Government Strategic Analysis Center has implemented a cross-sectoral, national-level policy-making approach on youth mental health services using participatory design methodologies and tools. The solutions developed during this project have been included in the plan of the development program, which allows us to say about the success of design principles as a “date” of design and Lithuanian public policy-making - but this fact does not provide deeper insights about how the normal work context, policy making or other circumstances surrounding the implementation of the project influenced the values of the case process itself and the final results. Analyzing this case during the research, using the analysis framework for evaluation of participatory design process and results, the aim is to describe the values created in the process in terms of values, insights, solutions and empowerment of participants and to explain how the context of public policy making influenced the achievement of the described values by using insights of new institutionalism. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data from semi-structured interviews with Policy Labs and policy makers and observation results from two co-creative workshops. Summarizing the study, the context of administrative culture and previous collaborative experience did not have a significant impact on the values of design approach differently as the COVID-19 pandemic and changes in the policy agenda due to thematic relevance to the insights and solutions. Finally, the circumstances of the project itself and the involvement of international partners limited the empowerment aspect of the process. Summarizing the theoretical insights of the new institutionalism, which were used in forming the causal relationship between dependent and independent variables - the project implementers and policy makers perspective not only allowed a better understanding of the relationship between the values of the design approach and the peculiarities of the context, but also highlighted several remarks about the very context of Lithuanian public policy. The interpretation of the logic of consequentiality has shown that in the formation of Lithuanian public policy there is a rational orientation of policy makers towards results. Meanwhile, the interpretation of the logic of appropriateness allows to state that the normative rather than the cognitive observance of informal rules and values dominates in the formation of policy. Finally, the assumptions of institutional isomorphism have revealed that despite the positive attitude of institutions towards international organizations, often mimetically copying or basing decisions on recommendations, there is a critical appraisal of the recommendations made in order to respond to the real needs of one's institution. |
