| Abstract [eng] |
The relevance of the topic examined in the final project is justified by the fact that the ideas of anticipatory governance are already entrenched in the documents of international organizations (such as the OECD and European Commission guidelines) and are gradually being implemented in various countries as a modern approach to the activities of both national and local authorities. Lithuanian national strategic documents also provide for the need to strengthen the implementation of innovation in institutions, but this direction has not yet been explored at the local government level in Lithuania. Therefore, the examination of this topic in the master's thesis will not only contribute to scientific discourse, but will also have practical value, as the results of the study can be used to develop more effective municipal strategies, improve the quality of public services, and increase public confidence in local government. Although scientific research emphasizes the need for change in strategic management in the public sector, in practice, the strategic management process of local government institutions lacks systematic measures and solutions that would promote the integration of anticipatory governance principles. Therefore, the following research problem is formulated: how to integrate the principles of anticipatory governance into the strategic management process at the local government level? The object of the project is the integration of anticipatory governance principles into the strategic management process in local government institutions. The aim of the project – to identify the possibilities of integrating the anticipatory governance principles into the strategic management process in the administration of the Raseiniai district municipality. The objectives of the project are: 1) to develop a theoretical model for integrating anticipatory governance principles into the strategic management process in local government institutions; 2) to examine international and national legal regulation and best practices for integrating anticipatory governance principles into the strategic management process; 3) to investigate the possibilities of integrating anticipatory governance principles into the strategic management process in the administration of the Raseiniai district municipality. Research methods: analysis of scientific literature, analysis of strategic, legal documents and municipal documents, analysis of good practices in foreign countries, qualitative research - semi-structured interviews with representatives of the Raseiniai District Municipality, analysis of research data is carried out using qualitative content analysis. An empirical study conducted at the Raseiniai district municipality administration allowed to evaluate current strategic management practices and identify possibilities of integrating anticipatory governance principles at the local government level. The results of the empirical study revealed that one of the main obstacles to the integration of anticipatory governance principles is the lack of knowledge and competencies. Some municipal employees are not sufficiently familiar with such methods of integrating anticipatory governance principles as scenario development or systematic analysis of future trends. Limited use of data analytics to substantiate strategic decisions was also highlighted. These circumstances indicate that for successful integration it is necessary to invest in strengthening employee competencies and developing analytical skills. The analysis of the study results revealed that the municipality lacks consistent mechanisms that encourage the involvement of stakeholders in the strategic management process. Anticipatory governance principles require broader participation, involving communities, businesses and other local partners in the creation of future visions. This would not only improve the quality of strategic decisions but also increase their legitimacy and public trust in the municipality. There are real opportunities in the Raseiniai district municipal administration to integrate anticipatory governance principles into the strategic management process, but this requires targeted institutional changes. The results of the study indicate the need to strengthen the culture of strategic thinking, develop employee competencies and implement systematic tools for future analysis. These measures would enable a transition to a more proactive, future-oriented strategic management model, which would contribute to the long-term sustainable development of the municipality. The final project concludes with lists of scientific literature and information sources. |
