Image of Civil Service, November 2003

The purpose of the study: to examine the image of the Lithuanian civil service as formed in society. To analyze public opinion about the activities of state and municipal institutions, service provision, customer service, and social benefit. Major investigated questions: respondents were asked to evaluate the performance of the civil service and the profession of a civil servant in the context of other state and social institutions and professions. The study examined the positive and negative traits characteristic of civil servants. Respondents were asked how they assess the honesty of civil servants compared to representatives of professions in the private and public sectors. They were given the opportunity to express their opinion on the attentiveness, work efficiency, competence, impartiality, and honesty of civil servants in comparison with employees of private business. The survey also examined whether it is appropriate for civil servants and representatives of other professions, as officials, to accept gifts. In addition, respondents were asked to assess the level of corruption in the civil service in the context of other institutions. The study sought to determine whether respondents personally had experience of giving bribes to civil servants and whether giving a bribe helped to solve their problems. Respondents were also asked to describe the nature of information about civil servants presented in the Lithuanian media. They were given the opportunity to indicate which profession, including that of a civil servant, they would like their child to choose. Opinions about the number of civil servants in Lithuania were examined. Respondents were also asked how often they personally have contact with civil servants. Socio-demographic characteristics: gender, age, education, income per family member, nationality, social status, place of residence.