On April 20, 2023, governance scholars David Levi-Faur, Jarmo Vakkuri, and Jan-Erik Johanson gathered for a thought-provoking webinar on “Hybridity in Governance.” This session delved into the concept of hybridity, examining how government, business, and civil society intersect through varied ownership structures, funding sources, and control mechanisms.
The speakers explored the complexities of hybridity, pointing out that traditional governance theories often fall short in providing clear models for managing this multifaceted landscape. Hybridity poses unique challenges, as diverse actors—government agencies, corporations, and nonprofit organizations—bring their own institutional logics and value systems to the table. These interactions raise critical questions about how public policies and societal missions are shaped and achieved.
Jarmo Vakkuri, Professor of Local Public Economics and director of the Public Financial Management research group at Tampere University, alongside Jan-Erik Johanson, Professor and director of Administrative Science research group, shared insights from their extensive research. They highlighted emerging relationships, competing rationalities, and value conflicts that arise within hybrid governance frameworks.