21.12137/OUNXIQ
Matonytė, Irmina0000-0001-8306-5835(ISM University of Management and Economics, Lithuania [Project leader])Gaidys, Vladas(ISM University of Management and Economics, Lithuania [Project Member])Kirslytė, Monika(ISM University of Management and Economics, Lithuania [Project Member])Šumskas, Gintaras0000-0002-1873-0015(ISM University of Management and Economics, Lithuania [Project Member])
Attitudes of Elites and Population towards the EU Development: Business Leaders Survey, November 2017 - January 2018
Lithuanian Data Archive for SSH (LiDA)
2022
hdl:21.12137/A90UB0hdl:21.12137/PZ9QFChdl:21.12137/8WBEVDhdl:21.12137/LNURD8
The purpose of the study: to explore the attitudes of business leaders towards the development of European identity and citizenship in the context of EU change and enlargement. Major investigated questions: respondents were asked how often they had come into contact with people from the EU institutions, organisations and companies, over the last 6 months. Given the list of various institutions and contributors (EU institutions; leaders of parliamentary majority political parties - 12 choices in total), the survey analysed their power in influencing changes in Lithuania. Next, people were asked to assess the influence of different individuals concerning important national issues (ordinary citizen; member of the European Parliament - 11 choices in total). Respondents had the opportunity to assess the importance of European unification and whether it is more important to grow a competitive European economy within global markets or to ensure better social protection for all its citizens. Respondents were asked to reveal the extent to which they associate themselves with their region, their country or Europe (EU). Given the block of questions, they were asked what it means to be Lithuanian (to be Christian; to follow Lithuanian cultural traditions - 8 choices in total). Given the list of threats, they were asked to rate the risk those threats pose to the EU (non-EU immigrants; EU expansion by including Turkey - 7 choices in total). Respondents had the opportunity to assess European unification and viewpoint on how much of the €100 that an EU citizen pays in taxes should be redistributed at the local, national and EU levels. Given the block of statements, respondents were asked to indicate what it means to be European (being a Christian; following European cultural traditions - 8 choices in total). Respondents were asked about their viewpoints towards Lithuania (8 statements in total) and their pride in Lithuania (for its democracy; its worldwide political influence - 10 choices in total). Then, trust in the EU and in the ability of Lithuanian institutions to take the right decisions was assessed. The aim was to find out whether respondents felt that decision-makers at the EU level did not take Lithuania's interests into account sufficiently, and whether the interests of some EU Member States were given too much weight. The survey went on to analyse whether different policy areas should be dealt with at the national level or at the EU level (fight against unemployment; immigration policy [from non-EU countries] - 8 choices in total). Given the next set of questions, respondents were asked what the EU will look like in 10 years time (unified EU tax system; mutual social security system - 4 choices in total). Next, they were asked how satisfied they are with the way democracy works in the EU and Lithuania. The survey went on to analyse whether the European Commission should be politically accountable to the European Parliament. Given another block of statements, respondents were asked whether or not different EU policies pose a risk to Lithuania (5 choices in total). Next, the survey went on to assess whether the redistribution of resources between EU Member States in order to protect the single currency is fair. Respondents were asked whether there should be a mutual EU army or whether each EU Member State should have its own national army, and which institution is best suited to take care of Europe's security. While having the future of the EU in mind, respondents were asked what the EU economy, the economic disparities between EU member states, the social disparities between EU citizens, the importance of the EU as a geopolitical power in the world and what the EU politically will be like in 10 years. The survey went on to analyse whether or not Lithuania has benefited from EU membership. The survey further explored respondents' viewpoints towards the relationship with voters and the most important function of elections in the political system. Given the list of welfare policy areas (7 in total), people were asked which ones should maintain a central role for the public sector and which ones should maintain a central role for the private sector. The survey was concluded by analysing the opinions on whether the state should actively defend the Lithuanian identity and the Lithuanian language, and whether the Soviet period was more beneficial than detrimental for Lithuania. Socio-demographic characteristics: gender, age, education: field, experience of studying in the West, field of activity.
Žvaliauskas, Giedrius(Center for Data Analysis and Archiving (DAtA), Faculty of Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities, Kaunas University of Technology, Lithuania)