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Together from the middle: a comparison of theories of change of middle tier projects in the Czech Republic
Nerad, Jáchym ; Veselý, Arnošt (advisor) ; Srb, Vladimír (referee)
This thesis responds to the debate on the optimal design of the middle tier intervention in the Czech education system. It contributes by comparing the approach of its two main actors: the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports and the Partnership for Education 2030+. It studies their proposals for the middle tier as public policy interventions. Based on document analysis and thematic analysis of interview transcripts with leaders of both approaches, it unpacks their theory of change - the way in which the middle tier proposals should work. The paper has two main outputs that describe the theory of change. The first output is a causal chain of assumptions about how these interventions are designed to work, which is graphically represented in the form of a cognitive map. The second output is the theory of change narrative, to create which recurring themes were identified in the interview transcripts and the context in which representatives of both approaches to the middle tier use them described. The comparison shows that the two approaches are very similar in terms of framing the problematic behaviours that the interventions are expected to change in the target groups and the ultimate impacts of the interventions. However, they differ in framing of causes of the problematic behaviours and the...
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Czech Debt Relief Policy from the Perspective of the Theory of Social Construction of Target Populations
Hanzlíková, Eliška ; Angelovská, Olga (advisor) ; Ochrana, František (referee)
The bachelor thesis Czech Debt Relief Policy from the Perspective of the Theory of Social Construction of Target Populations deals with the development of policy design of Czech debt relief policy between 2013 and 2023, using the perspective of the social construction of target populations theory. The premise of this theory is that the perception (social construction) and power of the target population influence the configuration of policy design. Thus, the main objective of this thesis is to investigate how the policy design of the Czech debt relief policy has changed between 2013 and 2023. In line with the theory, this objective is followed by two sub-objectives, namely to identify the direction of changes in benefits and burdens resulting from legislative changes for the target population and to identify how the frames in which the target population was embedded in policy discourse and media discourse differed. A study of legislation, explanatory memoranda to legislative proposals, and a framework analysis of stenographic records from the lower house of Parliament and selected media content are used to accomplish these objectives. The social construction of debtors is not straightforward and is on the borderline of the construction of the dependents or deviants. The characteristics of the policy...
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Policy Design of the Unified National Examinations to Higher Education Institutions in Georgia
Gabunia, Mariam ; Kohoutek, Jan (advisor) ; Veselý, Arnošt (referee)
The Unified National Examination (UNE) is a policy, which regulates the students' admission procedure to higher education institutions in Georgia. The UNE is a special policy in terms of its design, which manages admission procedure with a centralized and standardized approach. The main goal of this thesis is to study the 'side-effects' and challenges of UNE policy, explore its organizational structure and understand the main design patterns in the policy process to find the optimal solutions for current challenges. The research problem is studied through policy design conceptual framework in order to understand how a specific instrument mix was chosen by the policy-makers and how particular redesigns of the system were made in the previous years. The thesis discusses the design process of UNE, its design types and spaces and identifies the levels of government capacities in this process and its impact on tool choices. The thesis highlights the following challenges of UNE policy: contested testing model, controversial design of reforms, 'black holes' for corruption, inequality of access to higher education and restricted autonomy of higher education institutions, which need to be addressed for system sophistication in the future. Keywords Education policy, higher education system, national...
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How Does the Living of Elderly Citizens Look Like in Prague and Vienna? Comparison of Housing Policies through the Theory of Social Construction of Target Populations
Matoušová, Daniela ; Dobiášová, Karolína (advisor) ; Angelovská, Olga (referee)
The thesis pursues a comparison of housing policy designs in Prague and Vienna with a particular focus on the target group of the elderly population. The research is based on the social construction theory of target populations by Ingram and Schneider. The aim is to map the housing situation of elderly in both cities, identify differences and similarities between the two designs and propose housing policy recommendations stemming from the analysis. The research is based on statistical data, public policy documents and on expert interviews. The thesis describes social construction theory and principles of comparative research, demographic ageing and the situation of the elderly in terms of finances, housing, health and education. Further ahead, it describes the housing policies in Prague and Vienna, moving from the general setting of these policies to specific measures concerning the elderly. In the last section, it describes selected elements of policy design and proposes policy recommendations.
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Influence of Civil Servants at the Local Level on Social Policy Design - The Case Study of Municipalities and Cities of the Karlovy Vary Region
Kortišová, Anna ; Hejzlarová, Eva (advisor) ; Plaček, Michal (referee)
The presented diploma thesis deals with line workers at the local level of social policy and the area of social exclusion. The thesis is primarily focused on the role and possible influence of officials on policy design. Two institutions are monitored - the Social Affairs Departments of the city authorities and the contact offices of the Labour Offices. Attention is focused on the activities of workers and their form, on target populations and their social construction and political power, also on factors that can influence the decision-making and behaviour of officials and, last but not least, on the role of officials in policy design. The thesis uses the theory of social construction of target populations and the theory of bureaucracy. In order to answer the research questions, secondary data related to both theories and public policy documents, analysis of Internet news, and primary data obtained through six conducted interviews have also been used. The results of the thesis have shown that line workers have an indispensable and irreplaceable role, because they solve complex and often ambiguous situations, in which they often apply their own solution strategies and initiatives, so it can then be indirectly reflected in the implementation of the given policy.
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Public Perception on Target Populations and Homeless Policy Design in Seattle, WA
Beckmeyer, Kelsey ; Angelovská, Olga (advisor) ; Frič, Pavol (referee)
This thesis tests a new theory about the role that public perceptions on target populations play in designing homeless policies - as demonstrated through the Homeless Policy Design Model. The theory and model present an expansion of theories on the target populations and policy design from Lowi (1972), Ingram, Schneider and Deleon (2007); and Schneider and Ingram (1993). The model is tested through a case study of homeless policy in Seattle, WA from 2007 to 2016 and the correlating perceptions of the homeless generated through the rhetoric of the political elite and the general public. The homeless policy design model indicates that the public's perceptions about homeless target populations will impact policy design choices. Through qualitative research methods, the thesis finds that there is a recognizable correlation between how the public views the homeless and what type of policy the Seattle City Council passed from 2007 to 2016.
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Social construction of the people with disabilities in employment policy
Rudolfová, Jitka ; Mouralová, Magdalena (advisor) ; Tomášková, Vladimíra (referee)
This paper analyses social constructions of people with disabilities in Czech employment policy with a help of Anne Schneider's and Helen Ingram's theoretical framework: Social constructions of target populations. Methodologically this paper is a case study, the analysis is based on a secondary analysis of statistical data and a study of public policy documents, primarily analysis of legislation development and relevant strategic documents. The paper is attempting to define general construction of people with disabilities by public reprepresentative surveys. Power of the group is defined by characteristics resulting from the theoretical framework. The key part of the paper examines, what policies assume about participation of people with disabilities on the labour market. At the end the paper describes employment rates of this group. In conclusion the paper describes how hidden asumptions in design of policy probably hinders participation of people with disabilities on the labour market.
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Development of policies for reconciling work and family life for mothers with children under four years
Hrubá, Kristýna ; Dobiášová, Karolína (advisor) ; Novotný, Vilém (referee)
The submitted text examines the relation between work-family balance policies and social construction of mothers with children under four years of age. The first part of the thesis outlines the context of work family balance. The research is positioned in the perspective of the theory of social construction of target population by Ingram and Schneider. The following chapter is devoted to the research methodology used throughout the analytical part of the thesis. The analytical part presents answers to questions regarding policy design, framing of the work family balance, stereotypes and social construction of mothers with children under the age of four.
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Social housing in municipalities of the Czech Republic: policy design and target populations
Broklová, Tereza ; Hejzlarová, Eva (advisor) ; Nekola, Martin (referee)
The thesis deals with setting of a system of social housing in the municipalities of the Czech Republic. It is based in particular on the Concept of Social Housing of the Czech Republic 2015-2025, as the legislation on social housing in the Czech Republic has not yet been approved by the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic. The system is very fragmented for the above reason, there is no consensus in the definition, not even in determining to whom and under what conditions social housing should be allocated. The thesis builds on Schneider and Ingram public policy theory, the theory of social construction of target populations ("TSKCP"). The two main concepts of TSCTP - target population and policy design are the optics and subject of analysis. The most important research activity could be described as an analysis of the availability of social housing in 2nd level municipalities, which was implemented in the form of survey of 388 municipal webpages in order to find out the mention and methodology of providing social housing. Additional interviews with social and housing commissioners took place within one region of the Czech Republic, where we can presume similar socio-economic conditions, but due to anonymity, it cannot be specified more precisely. From the methodological...
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