| Abstract [eng] |
The Master Thesis presents a model for strengthening inter-institutional cooperation in addressing the issues of social services provision. Our world today is continually confronted with dependences on certain knowledge, and thus is increasingly looking for partners with different competencies to achieve the set goals. In this context, the only solution may be the inter-institutional cooperation that is of particular relevance for addressing numerous issues related to the provision of social services, as the institutions can acquire the necessary resources needed for this purpose. For the purposes of analysis within the scope of the Master Thesis, the case of Mažeikiai District Municipality was chosen to demonstrate the key features of inter-institutional cooperation strengthening to address the issues of social services provision. The object of the analysis in the Master Thesis is strengthening of inter-institutional cooperation in the provision of social services, whereas the aim of the Master Thesis is to establish and justify a model for strengthening of inter-institutional cooperation in addressing the issues of social services provision. The Master Thesis consists of three parts: theoretical, methodological, and empirical as well as conclusions, recommendations and literature used. The theoretical part contains the theoretical reasoning of the model for strengthening inter-institutional cooperation in addressing the issues of social services provision as well as the inter-institutional cooperation narrative by defining the concept and features of strengthening steps, and the theoretical aspects of social services provision that are critical for the analysis of inter-institutional cooperation strengthening model in addressing the issues of social services provision. Furthermore, the theoretical part contains analysis of the factors influencing the cooperation, including strengthening of cooperation as well as related successes or failures. The part finishes with the introduction of theoretical model for strengthening inter-institutional cooperation in addressing the issues of social services provision. The second part of the Master Thesis presents the methodology of analysis of the model for strengthening inter-institutional cooperation used to define how the model of inter-institutional cooperation strengthening is realized by Mažeikiai District Municipality in provision of social services. This part of the thesis includes explanation of the analysis subject, describes the methodology, analysis methods, representative sample of analysis and its selection, lays down the planning stages, and defines the conditions of the research. Based on methodological structure, the analysis strategy, problem field analysis, logical scheme, and analysis stages have been developed. This part also describes the methods of analysis used and their application in the research: analysis and systematization of scientific literature, document content analysis, quantitative content analysis, semi-structured interviews. It also contains a methodological approach for conducting a semi-structured interview, which assisted in revealing how the interviewed persons representing Mažeikiai District institutions explain the concept of inter-institutional cooperation and realize its stages (mutual assistance (interdependence), pursuit of common goals (newly created initiatives, flexibility), inter-institutional cooperation (process reflection), and what opportunities they see for strengthening the inter-institutional cooperation. The third final part of the Master Thesis identifies the preconditions for the implementation of the inter-institutional cooperation strengthening model based on the applicable legal acts and the documents of Mažeikiai District Municipality justifying the importance of inter-institutional cooperation. |
