| Abstract [eng] |
Recent research reveals significant deficiencies in Lithuania's migrant integration system, marked by a lack of strategic documents, legal frameworks, and institutionalization. This inadequacy was glaringly evident during the handling of the 2021 illegal migration crisis, where Lithuania breached international agreements and provided subpar public services to migrants, resulting in human rights violations. However, during the 2022 Ukrainian war refugee crisis, Lithuania managed to offer satisfactory public services to approximately 75 thousand refugees, comparable to more experienced countries like Sweden, Germany, or Poland who hosts the biggest part of Ukrainian war refugees. This study aims to uncover the reasons behind Lithuania's effective response to the 2022 crisis despite its underdeveloped integration system. Through literature analysis, theoretical concepts like institutional learning, resilience, and coordination are identified as potential explanations for successful crisis management and quality service provision. The study synthesizes these concepts into a theoretical framework and explores their causal mechanisms, focusing on institutional activities and interactions. The theoretical foundation of the study was established by amalgamating the theoretical frameworks of institutional learning, resilience, and coordination. This foundation was shaped by integrating selected explanations commonly found in academic literature, given their frequent usage in elucidating crisis management outcomes. Furthermore, as these explanations often present conflicting perspectives, the study aimed to reconcile them to discern the most effective mechanism or strategic approach to crisis management, particularly tailored for small states. This group of countries possesses distinctive crisis response characteristics not typically observed in larger countries, necessitating a nuanced understanding of their crisis management strategies. Qualitative analysis was conducted utilizing the process tracing method, employing a deductive approach; in the scope of tracing the process, an analysis of legal acts and secondary sources was carried out, the chain of key events in the regulation of public services was determined, and semi-structured expert interviews were carried out. Results reveals that institutional learning and coordination directly influenced service quality, while resilience showed no direct impact. However, resilience indirectly bolstered coordination, enhancing crisis management capacities. Institutional learning occurred through structural adjustments and collaboration with NGOs and international entities. Both horizontal and vertical coordination were in place, significantly bolstered by interagency cooperation. Lithuania's crisis response was characterized by prioritization and ad hoc solutions, showcasing the crisis management traits typical of small states. This study presents recommendations that, if enacted, would enhance preparedness for migrant crises. These include establishing a training system for NGO volunteers, enhancing the competencies of state institution employees regarding migrant needs, and fostering knowledge-sharing among staff experienced in crisis management. Moreover, this research contributes to academic discourse by challenging or affirming prevailing approaches to crisis management and showcasing Lithuania's crisis management prowess as a small state. |
