IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/kap/jbuset/v196y2025i2d10.1007_s10551-024-05687-y.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Hybridity in Nonprofit Organizations: Organizational Perspectives on Combining Multiple Logics

Author

Listed:
  • Aastha Malhotra

    (University of Southern Queensland)

  • April L. Wright

    (University of Warwick)

  • Lee C. Jarvis

    (University of Warwick)

Abstract

Seeking to better understand how nonprofit organizations (NPOs) manage hybridity, we investigated what distinguishes NPOs that combine multiple logics in productive and unproductive ways. We collected and analyzed data from six case studies of NPOs delivering social services in Australia. Our findings reveal that organizational members of NPOs take a perspective on their hybrid nature which comprises four elements: motivational framing, actor engagement, resourcing attitude, and governance orientation. NPOs that combine multiple logics in productive and unproductive ways, respectively, are distinguished by (1) a compelling or confused motivational framing for combining logics; (2) actors having active and shared, or passive and isolated, engagement with multiple logics; (3) attitudes toward resourcing multiple logics that are either coherent or competitive; and (4) a governance orientation toward multiple logics as opportunities to leverage or problems to resist. Our findings contribute to the literature by deepening understanding of the interplay between complex constellations of multiple logics in NPOs, including religious and professional logics. We also develop a model of organizational perspectives on hybridity and their implications for distinguishing NPOs that productively harness tensions between logics.

Suggested Citation

  • Aastha Malhotra & April L. Wright & Lee C. Jarvis, 2025. "Hybridity in Nonprofit Organizations: Organizational Perspectives on Combining Multiple Logics," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 196(2), pages 291-307, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:196:y:2025:i:2:d:10.1007_s10551-024-05687-y
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-024-05687-y
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s10551-024-05687-y
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s10551-024-05687-y?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Alireza Ahmadsimab & Imran Chowdhury, 2021. "Managing Tensions and Divergent Institutional Logics in Firm–NPO Partnerships," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 168(3), pages 651-670, January.
    2. Alex Gillett & Kim Loader & Bob Doherty & Jonathan M. Scott, 2019. "An Examination of Tensions in a Hybrid Collaboration: A Longitudinal Study of an Empty Homes Project," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 157(4), pages 949-967, July.
    3. Erynn E. Beaton & Rich DeJordy & Pacey Foster, 2021. "The Lived Experience of Managerialization: Understanding Values Conflict in Non‐profits through a Pragmatic Institutionalism," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 58(6), pages 1471-1506, September.
    4. Vickers, Ian & Lyon, Fergus & Sepulveda, Leandro & McMullin, Caitlin, 2017. "Public service innovation and multiple institutional logics: The case of hybrid social enterprise providers of health and wellbeing," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 46(10), pages 1755-1768.
    5. Claudia Savarese & Benjamin Huybrechts & Marek Hudon, 2021. "The Influence of Interorganizational Collaboration on Logic Conciliation and Tensions Within Hybrid Organizations: Insights from Social Enterprise–Corporate Collaborations," Post-Print hal-03601684, HAL.
    6. Jenny Green & Bronwen Dalton, 2016. "Out of the Shadows: Using Value Pluralism to Make Explicit Economic Values in Not-for-Profit Business Strategies," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 139(2), pages 299-312, December.
    7. Dayna Simpson & Kathryn Lefroy & Yelena Tsarenko, 2011. "Together and Apart: Exploring Structure of the Corporate–NPO Relationship," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 101(2), pages 297-311, June.
    8. Wai Wai Ko & Gordon Liu, 2021. "The Transformation from Traditional Nonprofit Organizations to Social Enterprises: An Institutional Entrepreneurship Perspective," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 171(1), pages 15-32, June.
    9. Ruebottom, Trish, 2013. "The microstructures of rhetorical strategy in social entrepreneurship: Building legitimacy through heroes and villains," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 28(1), pages 98-116.
    10. Andrew M. Pettigrew, 1990. "Longitudinal Field Research on Change: Theory and Practice," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 1(3), pages 267-292, August.
    11. Jean-Baptiste Litrico & Marya L. Besharov, 2019. "Unpacking Variation in Hybrid Organizational Forms: Changing Models of Social Enterprise Among Nonprofits, 2000–2013," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 159(2), pages 343-360, October.
    12. Erin I. Castellas & Wendy Stubbs & Véronique Ambrosini, 2019. "Responding to Value Pluralism in Hybrid Organizations," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 159(3), pages 635-650, October.
    13. April L. Wright & Gemma Irving & Asma Zafar & Trish Reay, 2023. "The Role of Space and Place in Organizational and Institutional Change: A Systematic Review of the Literature," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 60(4), pages 991-1026, June.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Claudia Savarese & Benjamin Huybrechts & Marek Hudon, 2021. "The Influence of Interorganizational Collaboration on Logic Conciliation and Tensions Within Hybrid Organizations: Insights from Social Enterprise–Corporate Collaborations," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 173(4), pages 709-721, November.
    2. EuiBeom Jeong & Hanna Yoo, 2022. "A systematic literature review of women in social entrepreneurship," Service Business, Springer;Pan-Pacific Business Association, vol. 16(4), pages 935-970, December.
    3. Michele Bianchi & Michael J. Roy & Simon Teasdale, 2022. "Towards a Multi-Level Understanding of the Strategies Employed in Managing Hybridity: A Systematic Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-12, December.
    4. Tasneem Sadiq & Rob van Tulder & Karen Maas, 2022. "Building a Taxonomy of Hybridization: An Institutional Logics Perspective on Societal Impact," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-22, August.
    5. Claudia Savarese & Benjamin Huybrechts & Marek Hudon, 2020. "The Influence of Interorganizational Collaboration on Logic Conciliation and Tensions Within Hybrid Organizations: Insights from Social Enterprise–Corporate Collaborations," ULB Institutional Repository 2013/311573, ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles.
    6. Syrus M Islam, 2022. "Social impact scaling strategies in social enterprises: A systematic review and research agenda," Australian Journal of Management, Australian School of Business, vol. 47(2), pages 298-321, May.
    7. Wai Wai Ko & Gordon Liu, 2021. "The Transformation from Traditional Nonprofit Organizations to Social Enterprises: An Institutional Entrepreneurship Perspective," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 171(1), pages 15-32, June.
    8. Tae Jun Bae & James O. Fiet, 2021. "Imprinting Perspective on the Sustainability of Commitments to Competing Institutional Logics of Social Enterprises," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-27, February.
    9. Céline Bourbousson & Anne Iglesias & Nadine Richez-Battesti, 2020. "Hybridization in Work Integration social Enterprise: a multilevel model," Post-Print halshs-03201977, HAL.
    10. O'Neil, Isobel & Ucbasaran, Deniz, 2016. "Balancing “what matters to me” with “what matters to them”: Exploring the legitimation process of environmental entrepreneurs," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 31(2), pages 133-152.
    11. Shinwon Noh & Dongyoub Shin & Sunhyuk Kim, 2023. "Problemistic search and hybrid organizations: multiple sources of performance feedback in diversifications by corporate foundations in Korea," Asian Business & Management, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 22(1), pages 188-216, February.
    12. Kishore Gopalakrishna Pillai & Smitha R. Nair & Nadia Zahoor & Zaheer Khan, 2024. "Driving Social Innovation in Bottom-of-the-Pyramid Markets through International Social Alliances: The Role of Legitimacy," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 64(3), pages 567-595, June.
    13. Farzana Chowdhury & David B. Audretsch, 2024. "Is Nonprofit Entrepreneurship Unique?," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 63(4), pages 1615-1639, December.
    14. Michele Bianchi, 2021. "Hybrid Organizations: A Micro-Level Strategy for SDGs Implementation: A Positional Paper," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-14, August.
    15. Nitha Palakshappa & Sarah Dodds & Suzanne Grant, 2024. "Tension and Paradox in Women-Oriented Sustainable Hybrid Organizations: A Duality of Ethics," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 190(2), pages 327-346, March.
    16. Bacq, Sophie & Hertel, Christina & Lumpkin, G.T., 2022. "Communities at the nexus of entrepreneurship and societal impact: A cross-disciplinary literature review," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 37(5).
    17. Davenport, Sally, 2005. "Exploring the role of proximity in SME knowledge-acquisition," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 34(5), pages 683-701, June.
    18. Obeidat, Zaid Mohammad & Xiao, Sarah Hong & Qasem, Zainah al & dweeri, Rami al & Obeidat, Ahmad, 2018. "Social media revenge: A typology of online consumer revenge," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 45(C), pages 239-255.
    19. Lehmann, Hans & Gallupe, Brent, 2005. "Information systems for multinational enterprises--some factors at work in their design and implementation," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 11(2), pages 163-186, June.
    20. Roe, R.A., 2005. "Studying time in organizational behavior," Research Memorandum 046, Maastricht University, Maastricht Research School of Economics of Technology and Organization (METEOR).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:196:y:2025:i:2:d:10.1007_s10551-024-05687-y. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.