The many facets of hybrid organizations

Hybrid organizational forms are ubiquitous, yet contested. There is, as always is the case with phenomena that do not really fit traditional ways of describing the world, a definition question: what precisely is a hybrid... [ view full abstract ]

Hybrid organizational forms are ubiquitous, yet contested. There is, as always is the case with phenomena that do not really fit traditional ways of describing the world, a definition question: what precisely is a hybrid organization? And what does it mean to be a hybrid in terms of benefits and risks? In this paper I bring two different strands of research on hybridity together in order to answer these questions. The first deals with public/private hybrids and the second with social enterprises, hybrid organizations that mix characteristics of the public, private and Third sectors. By comparing the hybrid character of both groups of organizations as well as their possible benefits and shortcomings, I hope to be able to draw conclusions that can help us to better understand hybrid organizations and the effects of their hybridity as a whole.