Hybridised public management: Introduction to the special issue

Abstract

Our analysis of the literature indicates a growing prominence of hybridity within the field of public administration. Hybrid arrangements incorporate ambiguities and controversies, but they also represent opportunities for joint action and goal achievement. The difficulties inherent in hybridity originate from the dichotomous view of the public–private divide and the underdeveloped measurement instruments. The contributions of this special issue address these challenges, providing extensive evidence as to the empirical reality of the manifold aspects of hybrid public management. Encouragingly, this knowledge enabled us to revisit existing hybridity models and provide an up-to-date Framework for Hybridised Public Management to further advance the development of theory and practice. Drawing on this framework, we suggest future research in key areas.

Points for practitioners

• Public managers in hybrid organisations must adeptly communicate with varied audiences, each with distinct expectations. This requires tailoring messages to demonstrate the organisation's multi-faceted value creation, encompassing public, private, and social benefits, to secure stakeholder buy-in and support.
• The integration of divergent goals and logics in hybrid organisations demands innovative organisational designs to manage these incongruences. Hybrid organisational structures and processes should foster cooperation among public, private, and civil society actors.
• Traditional financial metrics often inadequately capture the complexity and societal value of hybrid arrangements. Practitioners should adopt and develop performance measurement systems that reflect the multi-dimensional outcomes of hybridity, balancing financial, social, and public value considerations.
• The inherent ambiguity in hybrid organisations can lead to excessive oversight that hinders innovation and goal alignment. Practitioners need to establish governance frameworks that mitigate ambiguity while ensuring accountability and preserving the core mission of the hybrid entity.
• Public–private cooperation can be instrumental in leveraging additional public financing, not only for widening the resource base but also for gaining legitimacy.