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External communication of electricity sector institutions about citizen participation possibilities in Lithuania
Date Issued |
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2021 |
Purpose – to analyse the external organizational communication about citizens participation in the electricity sector. Design/methodology/approach – the research was carried out applying the following general scientific research methods: comparative analysis, induction, deduction, analysis of scientific literature and case study analysis. In the first place, the theoretical analysis of scientific literature was carried out in order to reveal the concept of citizens participation in the governance of electricity sector in Lithuania and to identify the external organizational communication for citizen involvement. In the second part, a case study was performed to assess how public sector institutions in Lithuania communicate with citizens and to discuss possible results of such communication. Finding – citizen participation in electricity sector can be described from different perspectives, but most important, they can participate as customers, as producers and as stakeholders at the same time. To encourage this participation, it is important to ensure meaningful communication among public sector institutions and the citizens. Therefore, to ensure meaningful communication for citizen participation in electricity sector needs to take into account existing external organizational communication models and the unique environmental characteristics of the public and energy sectors. The case study analysis reveals that there is poor or “inefficient communication” in Lithuania in electricity sector. It has a negative impact on citizen participation and satisfaction with public sector institutions, so changes are needed to create communication that could encourage citizen participation. Research limitations/implications – the case study is based on an analysis of selected cases and may not reflect the overall picture of electricity sector, so further empirical researches are needed. Practical implications – data from this study reveals several practical applications worthy of future study: it would be valuable to further examine how citizens (participating in electricity sector) see main gaps of external organizational communication, how external organizational communication meets the objectives of the public sector institutions working in this field and other issues. Originality/Value – the active participation of citizens in the energy sector is one of the strategic directions of the European Union and Lithuania. It helps to create an energy-efficient culture, together with technological solutions and innovation initiatives. For this reason, public sector institutions establish in rules, norms, and regulations, which must be communicated to citizens. Meaningful external organizational communication forms new user skills, competencies, and it is also instrument for strengthening citizens trust in public sector institutions.