“Lituanistika”, International Research Database
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Corporate governance implications for sustainable performance: focus on leading energy producers in Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Sweden
No full textThis paper aims to evaluate corporate governance in relation to enterprise performance indicators in order to enhance it. The intention is not only to align with the interests of shareholders, but also to foster competitive, sustainable, and inclusive growth. For this purpose, the leading energy producer in each of the five countries—Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Sweden—was investigated to evaluate their corporate governance performance. An analysis was conducted, employing regression analysis, Pearson correlation, and descriptive statistics. The influence of corporate governance on the performance of chosen enterprises was examined, utilising specifically developed models. The findings reveal that the corporate governance variables are diverse, and financial metrics exhibit significant variability, reflecting the complexity of the energy industry. The research results confirm that larger and more varied boards positively impact the performance of state-owned power suppliers and increase their net income. The presence of independent members was also found to contribute to the net income growth of state-owned power suppliers. However, the study indicated that the frequency of audit meetings does not necessarily increase earnings. Still, larger audit committees can contribute to CG decision-making processes concerning debt management. The results also implied the need to consider the qualifications of the board members and its composition for proper power interruption management to minimise the frequency and duration of power outages. Therefore, it must be of pivotal focus for respective corporate governance duties. In this respect, the need for more specific and regular assessments was also found to be justified regarding industry-specific challenges related to power system disruptions. Customer-centric strategies should deserve relevant attention as well. The enforcement of the management audit function could be a solution. Consequently, assessing the governance structures and decision-making processes must be systematic for energy producers due to the business dynamics leading to the revaluation of the evolving challenges and possible solutions aimed at the competitive and sustainable development of the energy sector. Keywords: corporate governance; management; energy market; renewables; sustainable development; key performance indicators
Drifting borders, anchored community: re-reading narratives in the semiotic landscape with ethnic Lithuanians living at the Polish borderland
No full textEveryday lives at the borders have lately been of interest in academic research. Drawing on visual elicitation interviews, this study analyses how ethnic Lithuanians living on the Polish borderland interpret images of the landscape which they inhabit. The aim of this analysis is to understand how these borderlanders position themselves vis-à-vis socio-spatial borderland realities, and how visual materials can instigate extensive plotted narratives. The results demonstrate that the Lithuanian minority in Poland not only challenges or accepts the public narratives, but that they also use them as props to create a unified narrative about their identification and belonging, which transgresses time, place and situated events. Keywords: borders, borderland minorities, border narratives, narrative identities, visual elicitation, semiotic landscape
Experience of pre-suicidal suffering: insights from suicide attempt survivors
No full textPurpose. Psychache significantly contributes to the suicidal process. However, the transition from pre-suicidal suffering to a suicide crisis remains one of the least explored stages in suicidology. Methods. We retrospectively explored experience of pre-suicidal suffering through semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 12 individuals recruited from the Vilnius City Mental Health Center, Lithuania. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was employed to identify recurring patterns. Results. Nine primary group experiential themes emerged: Certain adverse life events occurring during the suicidal process were not immediately perceived as connected; Complex traumatic events laid the groundwork for a profound sense of lack; A compensatory mechanism balanced the experience of profound lack; Exhaustion ensued from efforts to sustain the compensatory mechanism; The main trigger directly challenged the compensatory mechanism; The affective state followed the experience of the main triggering event; Dissociation served to isolate psychache; Thoughts of suicide experienced as automatic; Suicide was perceived as a means to end suffering. Conclusion. The findings suggest that the suicidal process unfolds over an extended period of suffering, culminating in a crisis to alleviate unbearable psychological pain. In clinical practice, identifying the main triggering event discussed in this study can be pivotal in understanding the essence of suffering characterized by profound lacking and developed compensatory mechanisms. Keywords: pre-suicidal suffering; psychache; suicidal process; suicidal crisis; compensatory mechanism; suicide attempt; IPA
Intentional homicides and alcohol abuse in Lithuania
No full textThe aim of the present study is to examine the links between high intentional homicide rates and alcohol abuse in the context of social transition in Lithuania. According to the extant literature, both the increase in homicide rates and the increase in alcohol abuse have a negative impact on public health and are often associated with challenges at the macrosocial level. In recent decades, Lithuania has experienced substantial political, economic, and social transformations. Lithuanian society has transitioned from a Soviet regime to embrace the Western principles of liberal democracy. Yet, despite positive political and economic progress, Lithuania remains a country with one of the highest homicide and alcohol-related harm rates in the European Union. These characteristics have made the Lithuanian homicide situation a captivating topic for a range of international and national studies, expert analyses, and evaluations. Unfortunately, the lack of reliable and consistent data on homicide continues to obstruct researchers from delving deeper into the analysis and explanation of the homicide phenomenon in Lithuania. To mitigate this issue, in this work, we present thoroughly collected and processed historical data on intentional homicide trends from 1961 to 2022. We also examine changes in the rate of homicide suspects, including their socio-demographic characteristics and alcohol intoxication for the 2004–2022 period. Finally, we investigate changes in homicide mortality rates and homicide victims’ socio-demographic characteristics. Our analyses are based on data sourced from the Lithuanian Special Archives, as well as national and international databases of crime statistics and demographic data. We noted a continuous decline in intentional homicide rates after the steep increase in 1989–1994. Furthermore, between 2004 and 2022, more than half of intentional homicide suspects were under the influence of alcohol. These findings are discussed in the broader context of societal changes in Lithuania. Keywords: alcohol abuse, intentional homicide, Lithuania, society in transition
Climate change and cities of Lithuania: threats, problems and prerequisites for solution
No full textThe emerging threats of climate change and their impacts on cities and residents are increasingly highlighting the need to assess whether countries are adequately prepared for the potential consequences of this process. While many international agreements on climate change, sustainable development and environmental protection have been adopted, countries often face various local obstacles that hinder their implementation. To address these issues, this paper reviews the climate change projections, emerging threats and hazards in Lithuania and their potential impacts on the country’s cities and highlights the main challenges in preparing for these growing threats. This article presents an evaluation of the climate change forecasts and past climate events in three selected Lithuanian cities—Vilnius, Kaunas and Klaipėda. The study includes a diagnostic assessment of the climate changes since 1961 and climate change forecasts up to 2100, based on the RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios, using regional and global climate models. It identifies the impacts of potential climate change consequences on cities, forming the basis for the evaluation of the urban situation in the country. The urban situation is assessed in terms of legislation, urban development, environmental requirements and the development of safety infrastructure. Based on the evaluation of urban development, preliminary proposals are provided for the creation of a resilient living environment. One of the key proposals in shaping the living environment—which could be particularly significant in adapting to emerging threats—is the complex formation of new, sustainable urban structures that take into account the social, ecological and economic factors of climate change and other rising threats. Keywords: climate change; heatwaves; storms; floods; war dangers; sustainable urban planning of towns; environmental protection
Lithuanian energy security transition: the evolution of public concern and its socio-economic implications
No full textThe article analyses the evolution of the social dimension in energy security transition in Lithuania. It contributes to an emerging attempt in the literature to broaden the horizons of our understanding of societal transformation and energy transitions. The analysis reveals the interdependence of changing Lithuanian society and its developing energy security concerns throughout the Independence period, from the importance of material threats (ecological, economic, and political) to post-material values (such as climate change concerns) in the context of energy security. Accordingly, the energy sector undergoes a vivid transition from a totally dependent “Energy Island” to a diversified, interconnected, and self-sustainable system. Such a journey inevitably resulted in the highlight of the social dimension in energy security and provoked certain socio-economic implications, like changing public awareness and participation, social equity and justice, and socio-economic resilience and vulnerability. The research is based on case study principles (applying sociological discourse analysis through scientific articles’ qualitative content analysis method as well as energy security policy analysis reviewing all national strategies throughout the Independence period) and is focused on a unique Lithuanian context. Keywords: sociological research; social change; agency; knowledge; energy security; Lithuania
Where the Seloniam sacred path leads
No full textStraipsnis skirtas 2023–2024 m. Gražutės regioniniame parke, Lūžų miške prie Antalieptės (Zarasų r.), sumanytam ir įrengtam Sėlių šventtakiui. Lyginant su kitais pažintiniais takais, Šventtakis išskirtinis ne tik tematiniu požiūriu. Kruopščiai atrinktos baltų paveldo vietos buvo ir vis dar yra visapusiškai tiriamos; Klaipėdos universiteto Baltijos regiono istorijos ir archeologijos instituto ekspedicija jau atliko archeologinius Šavašos šventvietės su ritinio formos akmeniu tyrimus. Straipsnyje yra grindžiamas Šventtakio sumanymas, atskleidžiamos jo sąsajos su baltų religine tradicija, plačiai supažindinama su kultūriniu ir istoriniu kontekstu. Zarasų rajono pietinio ir Utenos rajono šiaurinio paribio raida I tūkstm.–II tūkstm. pradžioje lieka neaiški, manytina, kad apie XIII–XIV a. Antalieptės apylinkėse sėlių ir lietuvių gyventa mišriai. Antroji straipsnio dalis skirta į pažintinį taką įtrauktoms baltų paveldo vertybėms. Apie jas telkiamos išsklaidytos žinios, atliekama nuodugni archeologinių, istorinių, etnologinių ir mitologinių duomenų analizė. Reikšminiai žodžiai: saugomos teritorijos, pažintiniai takai, baltų gentys, šventvietės, Antalieptė, Šavaša.The article is dedicated to the Selonian sacred path, or trail, established and opened on 25 August 2024, in Gražutė Regional Park, Lūžai Forest near Antalieptė (Zarasai d.). Compared to other discovery trails in Lithuania, this sacred path is unique not only in its thematic approach. The carefully selected Baltic heritage sites included in this trail have been and continue to be comprehensively studied. In addition, the new discovery trail can be seen as an effort to strengthen and develop Selonian self-awareness in the Antalieptė area. The article substantiates the concept of the “sacred path,” reveals its connections with Baltic religious tradition, and bradly introduces its cultural and historical context. The development of the southern Zarasai and northern Utena district borderlands in the first millennium–early second millennium remains unclear. Antalieptė is surrounded by hydronyms characteristic of the Selonians (including the Šavaša stream, from which the sacred path doesn’t stray far); however, the external features of the burial mounds are characteristic of Lithuanian tribes. Thus, it is suggested that around the 13th-14th centuries, Selonians and Lithuanians lived here in a mixed community. The approximately 11 km long sacred path continues the tradition of ancient roads connecting settlements with sacred sites or leading past sacred places. It is made up of two intersecting loops (the trajectory resembles the number “8”) and connects seven Baltic heritage sites. Moreover, a traveller unconsciously traces an infinity-shaped trajectory, embarking on a journey that seems to have neither a clear beginning nor end (Fig. 4). Such circular movement, or movement in two circles while changing direction – just as bees dance to indicate the position of flowers located further away – is another additional reference to the sacred experience that travellers are invited to draw from here. The second part of the article is dedicated to the Baltic heritage values included in the discovery trail. Scattered knowledge about them is consolidated, and thorough data analysis is performed. The authors show that the Lūžai Forest, the Šavaša flowing through it, the sequence of heritage sites (from the life-giving spring to ancestral graves in burial mounds), and the remarkable diversity (the spring, the stone with fo otprints, a stone with a bowl, a hillfort, two sacred hills, and burial mounds) are significant prerequisites for understanding and experiencing Baltic religious sacredness on this trail. Additionally, at least three chronological periods of this region’s prehistory and early history can be explored here. The hillfort of Lūžai Forest represents the first centuries of our era; the Lūžai Forest burial mounds represent the 5th–8th centuries; the Šavaša sacred site with its cylindrical stone with a bowl is estimated to have been established in the 13th–14th centuries
Partisan war through the eyes of the historians and freedom fighters
No full textŠis straipsnis galėjo būti pavadintas „Partizanai prieš istorikus“. Nes partizanai į nueitą kovos kelią žvelgė kitaip negu šiuolaikiniai istorikai. Tačiau partizanai žuvo kovodami už laisvę, ir jų tekstus skaito, karo eigos vertinimų ieško tarpininko vaidmenį užėmęs partizaninio karo tyrinėtojas – būtent tokia šio tyrimo prieiga. Todėl straipsnyje pristatoma istoriografija, o vėliau, remiantis partizanų šaltiniais ir kitais duomenimis, pateikiamas pačių laisvės kovotojų požiūris į partizaninio karo eigą ir siūloma nauja karo periodizacijos schema. Pasitelkiant daug iki šiol mažai žinomų arba dar neskelbtų istorinių faktų, sprendžiami ir partizaninio karo pradžios, laisvės kovotojų organizuoto veikimo pabaigos klausimai. Į šiuos duomenis turėtų atsižvelgti šalies istorijos politikos kūrėjai, visi, kas rūpinasi laisvės kovotojų atminimo įamžinimu. Reikšminiai žodžiai: 1944–1953 m. partizaninis karas, istoriografija, gen. Jonas Žemaitis-Vytautas, periodizacija.Eighty years have passed since the start of the second Soviet occupation and the beginning of the partisan war in Lithuania. Since the partisans viewed their struggle differently than later historians did, this article aims to present historiography and then, based on partisan sources and other data, to provide the perspective of the freedom fighters themselves on the course of the partisan war. This will also be used to propose a new periodisation scheme. The confrontation between historians’ works and partisan texts reveals opposing views on how the partisan war unfolded and how it should be evaluated. When depicted with curves, the curve representing the military activity of the partisans (as analysed by historians) would decline from 1944 to 1946, while the curve representing the significance of political and military organisation, emphasized by the partisans, would rise from 1947 to 1948. The extended periodisation of the partisan war, based on the assessments of the freedom fighters themselves, comprised five main stages: 1. The period of multiple anti-Soviet underground and armed resistance organisations from 15 July 1944 (considered by the partisans of the Eastern Lithuania region as the start of the fight for freedom) to January 1947 (when the BDPS Presidium and VGPŠ were established). 2. The BDPS period, which lasted from January 1947 to June 1948 (when the last active member of the BDPS Presidium, Dr Alfonsas Vabalas-Gediminas, was killed). 3. The period of the reestablished BDPS Presidium and VGPŠ, which began in June 1948 and continued until February 1949, when the fighters, gathered at the meeting of all Lithuanian partisan leaders, founded the LLKS (En. Union of Lithuanian Freedom Fighters), and the Council of this organisation began a session lasting almost two weeks. 4. The LLKS period, covering the interval from February 1949 to September 1953 (when the last acting member of the LLKS Council, Jonas Vilčinskas-Algirdas, was killed). 5. The period of independently operating organisational units and individual freedom fighters, which continued until the death of the last armed Lithuanian partisan, Kostas Liuberskis-Budageidys, on 2 October 1969. This is how the freedom fighters, including General Jonas Žemaitis-Vytautas, Chair of the Presidium of the LLKS Council, viewed the struggle for freedom from the start of the partisan war until May 1953 from an organisational perspective. Their effort to create a unified partisan organisation for all of Lithuania was equivalent to the effort to restore legitimate governance in the occupied country. This context helps to better understand and explain the joy with which the partisans greeted the establishment of the LLKS. It should be noted that the greatest victory of the Lithuanian partisans —the 16 February 1949 declaration by the LLKS Council — was also achieved not through armed combat, but through organisational efforts
Citizenship in Lithuanian lexicographical sources, youth worldview, and media texts
No full textSąvoka pilietiškumas dar nėra iki galo išsikristalizavusi, todėl tiek mokslinėje literatūroje, tiek viešajame diskurse akcentuojami vis kiti aspektai, bandoma ją lyginti ir sieti su kitomis, įvairiuose kontekstuose sinonimiškai vartojamomis sąvokomis, tokiomis kaip tautiškumas ar patriotizmas. Lingvistiškai sąvoka pilietiškumas nėra nagrinėta, tad šio straipsnio tikslas ir yra patyrinėti pilietiškumo sąvoką lietuviškuose žodynuose, viešuose medijų tekstuose ir jaunimo atsakymuose į klausimą Kas jums yra pilietiškumas? Pilietiškumo sąvoka glaudžiai susijusi su kita sąvoka – valstybe, joje susipina teisiniai, kultūriniai, socialiniai ir politiniai elementai. Valstybė suteikia savo piliečiui teises ir pareigas, o pilietis turi gebėti naudotis suteiktomis teisėmis bei laisvėmis, ginti jas ir atsakingai dalyvauti viešajame gyvenime, galutinis tikslas – Lietuvos gerovė. Ir studentai pabrėžia, kad sąvoka yra kompleksinė, apima ne tik žmogaus santykį su valstybe, bet ir santykius tarp žmonių, tačiau tiek jaunimo atsakymuose, tiek viešajame diskurse svarbiausia – tai vertybė, kurios komponentai išryškėja kognityvinėje definicijoje. Nepaisant įvade pateiktų minčių, kad pilietiškumas ir patriotizmas nėra tapatu, jaunimui šios sąvokos yra persipynusios ir turi daug bendrų aspektų. Viešajame diskurse ypač akcentuojamas pilietiškumo ugdymas – jį ugdyti reikia nuolatos, todėl rengiamos įvairios akcijos, konkursai, pamokos, laidos. Atlikus tyrimą galima konstatuoti, kad pilietiškumo kognityvinė definicija yra: pagarba valstybei, jos kalbai, simboliams, istorijai, kultūrai ir tradicijoms, kitiems šalies piliečiams, kitai nuomonei; pareiga valstybei (gynyba, įsitraukimas į visuomenės gyvenimą, balsavimas, mokesčių mokėjimas, blogai besielgiančių sutramdymas); darbas valstybei; meilė savo šaliai; pasiaukojimas dėl jos. Paprastai žodžio reikšmės ieškoma žodynuose – patikimiausiuose leksikografiniuose šaltiniuose. Tyrimas parodė, kad būtina plėsti žodynų definicijas arba išsamiau sąvoką išskleisti rengiamame „Bendrinės lietuvių kalbos žodyne“ – kad visuomenė matytų, jog pilietiškumo sąvokos turinys yra daug platesnis. Pritartina, kad pilietiškumas yra išugdoma vertybė, todėl jos turinys labai priklauso nuo to, kas dalyvauja ugdymo procese, ir kalbininkams bei kalbos institucijoms būtina įsitraukti į pilietiškumo programą, kad jaunimas matytų, jog pilietiškumas nėra tik gynyba, sąvokoje telpa ir kalba, ir kultūriniai bei etniniai dalykai. Raktažodžiai: kalba, pilietiškumas, pagarba valstybei, darbas valstybei, meilė šaliai, pasiaukojimas.The concept of citizenship (civic sense) has not yet fully crystallised, which is why different aspects are emphasised in academic literature and public discourse. Attempts are made to compare and associate it with other concepts, such as nationality or patriotism, which are often used synonymously in various contexts. From a linguistic perspective, the concept of citizenship has not been thoroughly examined. Therefore, the aim of this article is to explore the concept of citizenship in Lithuanian dictionaries, public media texts, and the responses of young people to the question: What does citizenship mean to you? The concept of citizenship is closely related to another concept—namely, the state—where legal, cultural, social, and political elements are interconnected. The state provides its citizens with rights and duties, and a citizen must be able to use and defend the rights and freedoms granted, as well as actively participate in public life with the ultimate goal of contributing to the well-being of Lithuania. Students emphasise that the concept is complex and involves not only an individual’s relationship with the state but also relationships between people. However, both in youth responses and in public discourse, the key aspect is that citizenship is seen as a value, the components of which are reflected in its cognitive definition. Despite the introductory thoughts stating that citizenship and patriotism are not identical, for young people these concepts are intertwined and share many common aspects. In public discourse, there is a strong emphasis on the importance of nurturance of citizenship, which requires continuous effort. As a result, various initiatives, competitions, lessons, and programs are offered. The research concludes that the cognitive definition of citizenship embraces respect for the state, its language, symbols, history, culture, and traditions, as well as for other citizens and differing opinions; a duty to the state (defence, involvement in public life, voting, paying taxes, restraining misbehaviour); working for the state; love for the country; and self-sacrifice for it. Typically, the meaning of a word is looked up in dictionaries regarded as the most reliable lexicographical sources. The study shows that there is a need to expand dictionary definitions or elaborate on this concept in the upcoming “Dictionary of Standard Lithuanian”, so that society can recognize the broader content of the concept of citizenship. It is agreed that citizenship is a cultivated value, and its content heavily depends on who is involved in the educational process. Therefore, it is essential for linguists and language institutions to engage in the citizenship development program so that young people can see that citizenship is not just about defence; it also includes language, as well as cultural and ethnic aspects. Keywords: language, citizenship, respect for the state, working for the state, love for the country, self-sacrifice
Sustainable development and holistic democracy
No full textStraipsnyje gretinamos darnaus vystymosi ir pilnutinės demokratijos koncepcijos. Darnaus vystymosi doktrina yra vienas solidžiausių ir kompleksiškiausių šiuolaikinio pasaulio vystymosi projektų, apimantis ne tik ekonominę, socialinę ir ekologinę visuomenės gyvenimo sferą, bet ir technologinį progresą, kultūrinę žmonijos transformaciją bei tarptautinio bendradarbiavimo paradigmos kaitą. Straipsnyje yra pristatoma šios doktrinos filosofija, integruojanti politiką ir antropologiją. Nors pilnutinės demokratijos koncepcija išeivijos lietuvių mąstytojų buvo sukurta anksčiau, nors joje nėra ekologinės dimensijos, jos kiti esminiai konceptualieji elementai iš esmės siejasi su darnaus vystymosi doktrinos siekiniais. Tai aiškėja, nagrinėjant A. Maceinos asmens vertingumo, asmens pirmumo bei tarptautinės politinės bendruomenės principus. Abi doktrinas vienija tas pats rūpestis socialiniu teisingumu, integruojantis subjektyvią žmogaus sąmonės dalį ir sugebantis ją paversti objektyvių socialinių normų šaltiniu. Reikšminiai žodžiai: darnus vystymasis, pilnutinė demokratija, Jonas, Bergsonas, Maceina, asmuo, empatiška visuomenė.The article juxtaposes the conceptions of sustainable development and holistic democracy. The doctrine of sustainable development is one of the most solid and complex development projects of the contemporary world, which includes not only the economic, social and ecological spheres of society’s life, but also technological progress, cultural transformation of humanity and a change in the paradigm of international cooperation. The article presents the philosophy of this doctrine, which integrates politics and anthropology. Although the concept of holistic democracy was created earlier by expatriate Lithuanian thinkers, although it does not have an ecological dimension, its other essential conceptual elements are basically connected with the achievements of the doctrine of sustainable development. This becomes clear when examining A. Maceina’s principles of the value and the priority of human person and of the international political community. Both doctrines are united by the same concern for social justice, which integrates the subjective part of human consciousness and is able to turn it into a source of objective social norms. Keywords: sustainable development, holistic democracy, Jonas, Bergson, Maceina, human person, empathic society