Search

In 2021, Lithuania faced the challenge of managing the crisis of new type of migration across the Belarusian border, which threatened the security of the country and its citizens. A broad set of inter-institutional collaboration strategies and methods were used among the public institutions to address this crisis. Such inter-institutional collaboration has been a multifaceted and complex process, involving both known and new good practices. The aim of this article is to provide insights into good collaborative practices between the Lithuanian national defence and internal affairs systems in managing the migrant crisis. Following the expert interview results, the study identified three good practices of inter-institutional collaboration: (i) the creation of a single dissemination channel for the crisis response services, which ensured that all actors were in the same information field; (ii) the delegation of representatives of the institutions to teams at strategic, operational and tactical levels; and (iii) inter-institutional information sharing ensured good situational awareness at an early stage of emergency management. Lessons learned from the collaboration between the institutions of the national defence and internal affairs systems can be applied to improve inter-institutional collaboration in other areas. The research results can be used to enhance the process of such collaboration in addressing current emergency management issues and serve as a basis for effective and smooth emergency preparedness and response where interinstitutional synergy is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim was to examine hair cortisol levels and self-reported stress amongst conscripts during their basic military training, and how they are related to four types of theory-derived determinants. The following prediction was made: lower levels of perceived stress and hair cortisol will be associated with: (1) higher levels of emotional stability (the individual nonmilitary aspect); (2) a lower degree of private life problems (the contextual nonmilitary aspect); (3) more positive attitudes toward the military, higher engagement in military service, and higher adaptability to military conditions (the individual-military aspect); and (4) stronger group cohesion and better leadership (the contextual-military aspect). The sample consisted of a total of 107 male Lithuanian conscripts. Assessments were made at the beginning of their basic military training, in the middle, and at the end. Established instruments were used on all self-reported scales. Hair cortisol levels were established through analyses of hair samples. Low to moderate levels of stress were found throughout the basic training period regarding perceived stress levels. Hair cortisol levels were mainly unrelated to the self-rating scales. Regarding perceived stress, the prediction was fully confirmed. The future value of the theoretical model is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the following article “Smart Technologies and Social Media in Business” is examined how rapid growth of everyday technologies during 21st century has changed user experiences, how business was forced to react and how would we could describe relationship of business and user nowadays. Theoretical and historical information is expanded with quantitative research with the purpose to look how previously mentioned changes influenced business. In these researches are used TOPSIS and EDAS method of evaluation, which showed that not only good financial indicators, but user engagement creates a successful environment for business. The results show that it is often assumed incorectly that the company with the highest turnover is well known and most effecient in creating corporate awareness. While assesing four multinational corporations we found that social media, rather than sales or advertising spend, was a decisive factor in corporate awareness. These results can be used as a basis for planning business investment in technology and marketing campaigns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A growing number of research papers present systematic investigations of creative behaviour in complex social systems rather than emphasise individual creativity; however, surprisingly little has been done to investigate communication at the workplace in which such creativity is revealed. It should also be noted that communication that takes place in rigid organizational structures and simultaneously activates creativity is phenomenon that has not yet been analysed. This article discusses organizational communication and its impact on creativity by analysing corporate, team and leadership communication levels, taking military as a research context. Thus, this research addresses the following two questions: (i) how is organizational communication related to creativity? and (ii) how communication on different levels contribute to organizational creativity in rigid structures? To answer these questions a theoretical multi-factor model was created and empirically tested using AMOS Software. On the basis of empirical findings, a three-level model of organizational communication for creativity in rigid organizational structures was proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article brings into focus the theoretical analysis of the issues contained in two modern and current concepts of the practice and, equally, of scientific research, with their complex societal effects, medium and long term. Using milestones specific to the fundamental research, points of convergence and directions on how to improve the quality of the two approaches are highlighted, which have as finality one of the integrating dimensions of security, the human one. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]