Welfare has traditionally been provided by 'public', 'voluntary' and 'private' sector organizations. But what do these terms mean within a contemporary welfare landscape where organizations possess characteristics of more than one of these sectors? Is this hybridity eroding the unique qualities of these different sectors?

Addressing a key social policy problem, this book analyses modern voluntary organizations through the lens of a new theory of hybrid organizations, which is tested and developed in the context of a range of case studies. This is essential reading for all interested in the future of the third sector, the rise of hybridity in the public sector and the study of organizations.

This Handbook seeks to better understand the fundamental characteristics of hybrid organisations from different sectors, countries, activities and contexts. Presenting a series of groundbreaking approaches to hybridity, this comprehensive Handbook on Hybrid Organisations brings together internationally renowned scholars in an innovative empirical study. Offering guidance in the prolific and rapidly growing field of hybrid organisations, chapters review the various types of hybrid forms across the public, private and third sectors. Contributors not only explore the role and contribution of hybrid organisations globally, but also develop critical new theories about the place of hybrids in a new organisational reality. Pioneering and thorough, this Handbook is vital reading for scholars and students of public and social administration, organisational theory, business and management studies and the third sector. Policymakers and organisation leaders responding to the development of hybrid forms will also benefit from its unique insight into the new environment for hybrid organisations. Contributors include: E. Beaton, A. Blessing, A.E. Boardman, B. Boers, R. Bolden, C. Child, C. Cornforth, J. Crotty, J.-L. Denis, B. Doherty, E. Dowin Kennedy, A. Ellis Paine, A. Evers, E. Ferlie, L. Fuglsang, J. Garde, M. Gulbrandsen, N. Haigh, K. Hall, H. Haugh, M. Hill, D. Holt, K. Hulse, B. Huybrechts, C. Jacobs, Karre, K. Kreutzer, H. Lipovsaka, D. Littlewood, S. Ljubinovsky, F. Lyon, P. Marcel, R. Millar, R. Miller, V. Milligan, J.K. Moller, M.A. Moore, D. Mullins, M. Nordqvist, V. Pestoff, J. Rijpens, A. Soetens, J. Soukopova, A. Thomasson, T. Thune, G. Vacecova, N. van Gestel, A.C. van Lint, P.A.M. Vermeulen, A.R. Vining, D.L. Weimer, R. Winter