Tiltai

Parenthood is quite rare among physically disabled adults in Finland, and becoming a parent can be labelled as a taboo act. In this paper, we shed a light on this salient topic by scrutinising the experiences of Finnish mothers and fathers with physical disabilities. The research questions are: (1) How do mothers and fathers describe their agency as parents? and (2) How is their agency constructed within social structures and relations? The analysis is based on qualitative teller-focused interviews with 17 mothers and fathers. The results reveal their agencies as multidimensional, and demonstrate how parenthood is constructed through interaction within institutional spaces. Personal support, peers and NGOs also play an important role in the construction of agency. Interaction can either limit, question or support the agency of disabled people as parents. The results show that the parents have strong agency in using their knowledge, and flexible resources when meeting the demands.

In this review-type article, the authors present project management in public sector institutions, with a particular focus on the application of Agile methodology. This review seeks to address the potential benefits of Agile methodology in addressing public sector challenges and the key obstacles to its successful implementation. Termed ‘Agile Government’, the approach aims to align public institutions with citizens’ needs, enhance efficiency, productivity, innovation and digital capabilities, improve decision-making processes, and foster collaboration between teams. Moreover, it serves as a response to global crises, such as the Covid-19 pandemic, refugee issues, climate change, and more, all while optimising the use of resources. Methods applied in the article are the following: systematic analysis, comparison, and synthesis.

The aim of this paper is to substantiate the process of enabling learning by students when facing radically new information in business and management studies. Starting from the introduction and the research methodology, the paper follows by referring to Piaget’s theory, which presents the accommodation process by explaining the formation of new thinking structures necessary for learning radical new information. The Seven steps educational process (SESEP) is then presented by using secondary analysis. The principles of the SESEP model were described by the authors in their previous study while researching the development of education students’ competence in using potential learning environments. Secondary analysis allows for a concentrated discussion, revealing how the SESEP enables students (who are studying for a master’s degree in education) to learn when they are facing radically new information. The results of interviews with experts (experienced teachers in business and management studies) are presented, which show the possibility to transfer the SESEP into a model for enabling learning by students when facing radically new information (ENARNI) in business and management studies. The discussion of the results leads to a more detailed justification of the model.

Teacher shortages have become a critical issue in various educational settings, with urban schools experiencing disproportionate levels of teacher attrition (Lamboy, 2023; Wiggan et al., 2021). This study investigated the philosophical and pedagogical perspectives of teachers who demonstrated longevity in urban educational settings. The research focused on the question: how do teachers who sustain long-term careers in urban schools approach their work? Sub-questions explored the relationship between teacher beliefs, preparation, and perspectives in fostering job satisfaction and career commitment in these settings. The study used a qualitative approach, including semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis to explore the lived experiences of teachers with five or more years of service in one urban educational setting. An appreciative inquiry framework guided the methodology. A key finding was that teachers with longevity believed their work made a positive difference in students’ lives, demonstrating care for student well-being, passion for their content, and innovative pedagogy.

The journal Tiltai / Bridges / Brücken is devoted to the social sciences, and is published by Klaipėda University (founded in 1991). It publishes articles on current issues in economics, management, demographics, social geography, geopolitics, politics, culture, education, religion, land management, and other social problems. In pursuing academic dialogue, the journal publishes articles in the humanities and biomedical sciences that explore social phenomena from an interdisciplinary point of view. Articles on Lithuania’s regional policy, and the economic and cultural development of border and cross-border regions, are particularly welcome. Since science does not recognise borders, scientific cooperation is a strategy that aims at the progress of the global community. For this reason, scientists from various countries are invited to participate in the work of the editorial board, and to publish articles as authors. Tiltai / Bridges / Brücken is a scientific journal that the Lithuanian Research Council recognises as a forum for defending doctoral dissertations and for obtaining pedagogical and research positions.

The social integration and reintegration of people with disabilities, especially war veterans and forced migrants, is important in the context of technological progress and social transformation. The study examines the role of instruments and technologies in facilitating these processes by improving access to rehabilitation, communication and professional engagement. Their influence and the role of institutions in promoting inclusion, providing medical, psychological and educational support, and in the formation of more social communities, are analysed. The study answers the questions:

Dr. Raimondo Kazlausko monografija „Politiškumo genealogija“ (recenzentai: prof. habil. dr. Tomas Sodeika, Vilniaus universitetas, Filosofijos institutas; prof. habil. dr. Vytautas Radžvilas, Vilniaus universitetas, Filosofijos institutas; prof. habil. dr. Zenonas Norkus, Vilniaus universitetas, Sociologijos ir socialinio darbo institutas; prof. dr. Arūnas Acus, Klaipėdos universitetas, Socialinių pokyčių studijų centras) Klaipėdos miesto bendruomenei pristatyta 2024 metų birželį Imanuel’io Kant’o viešojoje bibliotekoje. Monografijos autoriaus ir renginio moderatoriaus rašytojo ir filosofo dr. Arvydo Juozaičio dialogas atskleidė gilumines monografijos prasmes, tai ir padiktavo recenzijos pavadinimą „Tarp politikos ir politiškumo“.

With the popularisation of education in health care, the promotion of a healthy lifestyle, thereby strengthening all-round health, with physical, mental and emotional well-being, becomes more relevant. The aim of the article is to reveal the possibilities of education in a healthy lifestyle based on the point of view and experience of health-care specialists. The questionnaire survey of health-care specialists showed that the respondents have a positive attitude towards the need for the education of individuals in a healthy lifestyle, but they lack knowledge about strengthening personal health and education in a healthy lifestyle. Although the respondents’ approach to education in a healthy lifestyle is complex, their health behaviour may not always be a suitable example to others. Not only the functions of information and education, but also guidance, consulting and assistance are important to the interviewees, but they lack the skills of educational competence to perform them. In addition, health-care professionals lack sufficient knowledge and ability to apply educational methods, prepare tools, and use resources, and integrate education in a healthy lifestyle into health care.

Because of uncertainties, which are influenced by major external events, such as pandemics, emergence of wars and other phenomena those keep testing organizational abilities to survive and thrive. This article aims to review the existing research on organizational resilience especially in the face of global COVID-19 pandemic – in particular, which factors constitute a successful resilience model. Three branches of organizational resilience were defined and analyzed as follows: knowledge base, resource availability, and social resources & power. Theoretical and empirical research results create a basis for further research in order to analyze the phenomenon of organizational resilience in a broader sense, by adapting a complex approach and covering different sectors.

This study examines the influence of historical imprints on attitudes towards volunteering among Lithuanians. Using imprinting theory, we explored how the historically evolved Soviet imprints have influenced modern attitudes toward formal volunteering. Quantitative data analysis (N=358) revealed that some Soviet imprints might have decayed, while some were strong enough to survive until modern times to affect attitudes towards formal volunteering. This study examined three Soviet attitudinal imprints: negative attitudes towards non-governmental organisations, external power primacy, and the authoritarian outlook. The results showed that while some imprints might have decayed, some have survived until today. Our findings underscore the enduring impact of Soviet imprints, and suggest that addressing these historical influences is crucial for enhancing volunteering among citizens of post-Soviet regions.