Social enterprises as hybrid organizations: A research program

Combining social and entrepreneurial logics, social enterprises can be seen as hybrid organizations. This session proposes to explore what the concept of hybrid organizations brings to the field of social enterprises. We will... [ view full abstract ]

Combining social and entrepreneurial logics, social enterprises can be seen as hybrid organizations. This session proposes to explore what the concept of hybrid organizations brings to the field of social enterprises. We will see how this concept is especially relevant to identify and study tensions inherent to those organizations. In particular, it helps to better understand how hybrid organizations can survive and flourish while embedded in pluralistic institutional environments.
As a first step, Anne-Claire Pache will present and discuss responses given to competing social and commercial logics at the organizational and individual level. She will then discuss the outcomes of hybrid organizing and analyze under what conditions can those organizations achieve high levels of social performance.
As a second step, from a social economy perspective, Marie Bouchard will critically discuss the relevance of hybridity as a concept. She will also consider how it could be combined with other analytical grids such as social innovation.
This plenary session will also discuss the agenda for research on hybrid organizations.