Socio-Economic and Humanities Studies

GENDER AND POTENTIAL PARTICIPATION IN CLASSICAL MUSIC CONCERTS: A MIXED-METHODS ANALYSIS

Marie Vítová Dušková — 2025-12-31

This article explores how gender shapes potential participation in classical music concerts in the Czech Republic. Drawing on secondary analysis of the MML–TGI 2021 dataset (N = 15,070) and a segmentation of individuals who express interest in classical music but have not attended a concert in the past year (PCMC, approx. one quarter of the Czech population), the study describes five audience segments with distinct cultural practices and values. Overall, the PCMC group demonstrates more egalitarian views on gender roles than the general population – expressing stronger support for equal sharing of household responsibilities and lower endorsement of male dominance in family decision-making. However, substantial variation emerges across segments: Culturally Engaged Supporters and Musicians exhibit progressive attitudes and higher openness to new cultural formats, while the Reserved align more closely with traditional gender role models; Emotional Cultural Traditionalists and Anti-Consumerist Art Lovers occupy ambivalent positions. These findings resonate with international literature on women’s predominance in highbrow culture participation and on structural gender inequalities in cultural supply. The study contributes the first systematic evidence on gendered dimensions of potential classical music audiences in the Czech context and suggests practical implications for cultural institutions.

INCLUSION AND SOCIAL PARTICIPATION THROUGH MUSIC: A LONGITUDINAL QUALITATIVE STUDY IN RESIDENTIAL CHILDCARE

Alois Daněk — 2025-12-31

The role of structured musical participation in fostering inclusion and social engagement among children living in residential childcare is examined. The research was conducted in cooperation with a Czech children’s home and the Harmony Foundation, which operates an orchestra inspired by El Sistema model. A participatory qualitative design was employed, combining sustained observation, semi-structured interviews with children and educators and reflective team discussions. Data were analyzed through interpretative phenomenological analysis and systematic coding. The findings indicate that regular collective music-making enhanced emotional regulation, self-confidence and perseverance. Children showed a greater willingness to collaborate and form positive peer relationships, while educators observed more cohesive group dynamics and increased motivation. Public performances strengthened the sense of belonging and personal accomplishment, particularly among children with prior experiences of instability and social exclusion. The results provide empirical evidence that music-based programmes can effectively promote inclusion and social participation in residential childcare and should be regarded as an integral component of holistic educational support within this context.

GREEN PUBLIC PROCUREMENT IN SLOVAKIA: PUBLIC POLICY VS REALITY

Juraj Nemec — 2025-12-31

Slovakia is one of the countries where green procurement is part of the legislative process; however, despite the proclamations, its current level of use is minimal and does not correspond to the objectives set in the existing policy documents. The aim of this article is to document the main factors responsible for the fact that green procurement policies are not sufficiently implemented. The results show that the main limiting factor is the bureaucratic administrative culture characterized by an effort to minimize risk. This culture is, to a certain extent, “forced” by multiple problematic aspects of the public procurement process in Slovakia, in particular the way the control system works.