Tiltai

Scientific journal TILTAI/BRIDGES/BRÜCKEN published by Klaipėda University (established in 1991) is devoted to the issues of social sciences. The publications attempts at analysing and solving actual problems of economy, management, demography, social geography, geopolitics, political sciences, history, education, religious, regional planning and land use, other social problems. Science hasn’t borders. Therefore scientific cooperation is one of the most important elements in the progress of world’s community. Scientists from different countries of the world are kindly invited to write for and contribute to the journal.TILTAI/BRIDGES is the scientifical periodical magazine, which publications, by the decision of Lithuanian Science Council, are recognized as convenient for doctoral dissertations and pedagogical scientific names.Prof.

In contemporary society the new organizational forms take pace, which enable individuums to form some kind of common identities by reaching consumers communities. Consumerism is the main feature of such communities, which may be called as certain “tribes” with their values and they develop as capitalist system deepens and widens. Postmodernism creates such cultural environment, which forms “tribal marketing” phenomena as mobilizing different groups for the more developed, clearly defined and specific consumption. The authors in the article seek to reveal the impact of postmodernist consumerism to the formation of “tribal marketing” and the development of this phenomena vice/versa.

By means of analysing the peculiarities of cognitive authorities utilized in election programs of the candidates of Lithuanian presidential election campaign 2014, the article aims at the identification of the manifestations of evidence based policy employed to support the candidates’ proposals on the state government related issues. Analysis of the texts produced by the participants of the political campaign is based on the concept of evidence based policy. Authors of this article interpret the term of evidence based policy from the perspective of library and information science where the focus is on the use of information sources. Analysis of the manifestations of evidence based policy in the case of presidential election campaign in the Republic of Lithuania is based on the methodology framed by Kimmo Tuominen and Timo Turja. In the article the concept of cognitive authorities is interpreted on the basis of Patrick Wilson’s insights. This is the first research of the type in Lithuania which helped disclose that participants of the election campaign subjected to analysis cannot be attributed to the representatives of evidence based policy.

The aim of this article is to evaluate the changes of Lithuanian family with children support policy during the years 1996–2013. Using concept of change of policy paradigm we try to reveal which trends of Lithuanian family support policy reflects the changes of legal social security framework and expenditure on family social support in the period 1996–2013. It is made an attempt to answer the question can we talk about clearer directions of this policy, certain systematic, paradigmatic changes or only about inessential improvements of existing policy. In the context of path dependence concept it is discussed how new paradigms of family support policy are developing or why old paradigms remain. According to the analysis of legal framework and expenditure for family social risk, during the years 1996–2013 family support policy experienced various improvements, corrections, reformings. However, if the policy change understood systematically, as the unit of objectives, principles, instruments, resources and public support, we cannot identify paradigmatic changes in this policy in Lithuania.

The article reveals the essence of the concept of relationship marketing and relationship marketing major dimensions: trust, commitment, mutual dependence, reciprocity, cooperation, power, communication, satisfaction, value, fairness and empathy. Composed relationships between consumers and health care institutions support theoretical model which states that a direct effect on customer loyalty in individual health care market has confidence, commitment and satisfaction. Relationship marketing principles – interoperability and power – in personal care market only partially determines the consumer loyalty.

The Estonian concept of ecological networks (the Green Network) is implemented at different administrative levels by including multiple stakeholders. Building ecologically coherent Green Infrastructure is also one strategic aim of the European Union’s environmental policy. An embedded case study shows that contradictions between governance levels and ineffective stakeholder involvement measures have caused negative influence on land use decision-making processes on a local level. We further identified that the process of integrating the ecological network concept into the land use planning system has characteristics of vertical decentralisation, but the lack of relevant coordination have precluded achieving satisfactory results regarding stakeholder involvement and co-operation.

The article addresses the problem of uncertainty in social work. The problem is analyzed in the context of domination of postmodern worldviews. Three types of uncertainty are distinguished: ontological, epistemological and procedural. Resting on various literature critical thinking, human rights discourse and client strengths perspective are presented as possible alternatives for decision making in a complex world.

In the article there are analysed factors influencing implementation of innovations in Klaipėda city tourism sector. There are discussed the global changes noticeable in Lithuania tourism sector as well. On the basis of conducted in-depth interview with experts there are identified factors, which impede the realization of plans of implementation of innovations in enterprises of the tourism sector such as the following: lack of funding; the problem of attracting investors; unfocused tourism policy, formed in Klaipėda city; not prepared city tourism strategy and its underlying goals; insufficient efforts to attract tourists from neighboring countries. Analysis of the findings showed that with all identified failings there are named technological factors (IT technologies) as the most influencing factors determining implementation of innovations in Lithuania tourism sector, on the basis of which working efficiency may be enhanced and service quality may be improved.

The article introduces the theoretical insights relevant to a discussion of the cultivation of cultural consciousness. It relies on the following methodological precepts: Mezirow’s principles of transformational change and experiential learning theories. On the basis of the foregoing principles, the article discusses the concept of cultural consciousness, which various writers define differently, and analyzes the substance of cultural consciousness as well as the methods involved in its cultivation. In the article the cultivation of cultural consciousness is presented as a vehicle for adult education.

The article discusses the concept of international social work. International social work peculiarities working with refugees and asylum-seekers in Lithuania and Sweden are analysed. Analysis of international social work with refugees and asylum-seekers revealed collaboration features, challenges and limitations of organizations working with the target group. Ethical dilemmas in international social work with refugees and asylum-seekers are presented and analysed.