Cross-cultural education and housing policy in Roma : non-Roma relations : case study of management by empowerment in qualitative perspective

Abstract

PURPOSE: The article presents a case study of managing the process of social integration of the Roma minority in Poland. In this context, the objective of the article is to present a critical analysis of key practical aspects of managing cultural clashes using the OMC method and pay attention to the usefulness of applying qualitative methods for monitoring social integration processes.

DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The argumentation is based on an analysis of qualitative empirical material (160 in-depth qualitative interviews) related to the application of the European OMC model in managing relationships with the Roma minority at a local level.

FINDINGS: The qualitative OMC methods for monitoring processes allow for obtaining an alternative image of the course of management processes.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Actual practical implementation of an in-depth approach of the qualitative expertise in the OMC will contribute to more efficient and more thoughtful solving of social problems at cultural crossroads.

ORIGINALITY/VALUE: Based on empirical data, the author argues that, in the case of solving complex social problems related to the education of adults, the application of thorough methods having a qualitative nature is a useful diagnostic tool used in the process of managing the development of local communities. The argumentation is based on a qualitative analysis of a vast and unique empirical material.