| Abstract [eng] |
Currently the concept of social responsibility (SR) in the scientific literature is not globally defined and is constantly changing. Taking into examination recent researches and publishing, accomplished by foreign scientists, it can be stated that there is a limited number of researches concerning higher education (HE) and social responsibility (SR). It can be concluded that this topic is relevant nowadays but requires deeper analysis. The relevance of this topic is formed by different historical periods and constantly developing attitude towards the responsibility of organizations, both business and public institutions. Nowadays social responsibility becomes the essential component of institutions and organizations’ strategies, that enables to improve the reputation of organizations, also contributes to the sustainable development and positive social changes in the society. Higher education, along with educational institutions, encounters with rotational activity and influence spectrum. These transformations are caused by geopolitical circumstances increasing environmental requirements and sustainability. Consequently, educational institutions are imposed to reconsider its politics, develop intersectional collaboration and integrate the main principles of sustainability. In order to represent the significance of SR in the framework of Lithuanian Universities, it is essential to observe that universities play a significant role in the society, ensure related science and study system, based on the knowledge society development, also strengthen economics with the present-day science knowledge, furthermore, contribute to the balanced country growth, competitive economic life, additionally to the social and economic wellbeing of society. Considering the relevance of SR topic and insufficient amount of researches in the field of HE and SR, it was concluded to formulate the problem of the research – how SR is managed in Lithuanian Universities. Thus the object of the research is the management of SR in Lithuanian Universities. The aim of the research is to analyze the forms of the management of SR in Lithuanian Universities. The set objectives of the thesis’ are as follows: to reveal the comprehension and evolution of the SR term; to analyze the adopted SR management models in chosen EU universities; to identify how SR is implemented and managed in six dimensions – economic, legal, ethical, philanthropic, environmental-ecological, equality-inclusion; to analyze the approach of these institutions towards the SR management strategies, how it is linked to the long-term factors in the field of higher education. The research method applied in the theoretical part of this thesis – the analysis of scientific literature, articles, documents, and publishing. In the empirical part of his thesis – the method of qualitative survey was adopted and semi-structured interviews were conducted. For analyzing interviews in the empirical part, MAXQDA analytical software was applied. After the analysis of the obtained data it can be concluded that Lithuanian Universities comply with the main principles of SR, integrate them into the university community's activities and sustain communication with the society. However, it can be observed that universities do not have a unified system for informing the society about the SR initiatives that they implement. Currently each higher education institution informs the society about SR activities through Rector's reports, strategic plans or websites, based on its mission and goals. |
