| Abstract [eng] |
Relevance of the Study. Quality management is one of the most important processes for improving organization's activities. A focus on quality promotes a culture that creates and delivers value to customers or other stakeholders. To improve operational efficiency and quality, Research Council of Lithuania (RCL) aims to theoretically prepare for the implementation of a quality management standard (e.g., ISO 9001:2015). Therefore, it is necessary to standardize various operational processes in the organization. One of the most important functions of RCL, which largely influences the overall assessment of the organization's efficiency, is competitive funding of scientific research as well as academic and educational activities. For this reason, when assessing the implementation of quality management at RCL, it is appropriate to analyze one of the essential RCL processes - the administration of competitive funding measures. Objective of the Study. To analyze quality management models and processes with the aim of improving the administration of competitive funding measures at the RCL. The master thesis examines the process of administering competitive research funding measures at the RCL, its participants, scope, and actions. Problem of the Study. Despite the goals set out in strategic documents – such as “Lithuania 2030” and “Lithuania 2050” – to create a competent and strategically thinking government, Lithuania still lacks systematic application of quality management models in the public sector, including institutions responsible for shaping science and education policy. Although ISO 9000 standards, which are recognized as the basis for an effective quality management system, are most applied in Lithuania, their implementation remains fragmented. This situation limits the opportunities to strengthen strategic planning, effective decision-making and orientation towards results. In the context of RCL, there is a need to assess whether the implementation of quality management standards could improve the quality, transparency and efficiency of competitive funding administration processes. Tasks of the Study. 1. To analyze the theoretical aspects and practical insights of quality management in an organization and to construct a theoretical basis for empirical research. 2. To define the processes, participants, tasks and stages of RCL’s competitive research funding administration. 3. To analyze the practices of research funding institutions in foreign countries. 4. To empirically study the administration process of RCL’s competitive funding measures and offer practical recommendations. Methodology. The master's thesis uses a mixed methods approach to achieve the research objectives. Qualitative (semi-structured interviews) and quantitative (survey) methods are combined with in-depth analysis to reveal the chosen research object in a diverse way. Conclusion. The structuring of RCL’s competitive funding administration processes and the initiatives for implementing quality management creates added value toward achieving the key qualitative change envisaged in the primary strategic planning documents of the state Lithuania 2050, particularly in addressing public sector governance challenges aimed at increasing efficiency, transparency, and innovation in decision-making. The analyzed literature sources and the results of the conducted research suggest that the implementation of the ISO 9001 standard at the initial stage would likely cause additional administrative burden and employee dissatisfaction; however, in the long term, it would ensure high-quality administration of funding instrument management processes, as it would standardize and optimize the management system. |
