Zapojení České republiky v Europolu prizmatem institucionalismu

This thesis examines the engagement of the Czech Republic in Europol through the prism of institutionalism. The aim is to clarify this engagement of the Czech Republic in Europol, specifically the way in which the Czech Republic's cooperation with Europol has affected the shape and functioning of the Czech Customs Administration and Czech National Police. The thesis is a single-case study, and the research is conducted through the lens of sociological institutionalism, specifically the concept of institutional isomorphism. In the first chapter the thesis examines a literature review and the related research questions, the objective and detailed explanation of the case study method and research design. In the second chapter the thesis elaborates on the thesis’ fundamental theory of new institutionalism and the introduction of the Europol Agency. These two chapters are followed by the research itself, which examines the engagement of the Czech Republic in Europol in three areas (legislative/non legislative, structure and reports) at three levels of response – the national level, the level of Czech National Police and Czech Customs Administration. The author concludes that the two main forms of institutional isomorphism in case of the engagement of the Czech Republic in Europol are mimetic and coercive. After that the author elaborates on how exactly these two forms view the engagement of the Czech Republic in Europol.