Exploring social innovation through hybridity: the case of a Norwegian social enterprise

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the connection between hybridity and social innovation as engendered in a work integration social enterprise (SE). Design/methodology/approach The research takes an abductive approach to a single in-depth case study of a Norwegian SE. The analysis is based on semi-structured interviews and is supported by observations via a site visit and document sources. Findings This in-depth study uncovers key underlying mechanisms of how hybridity in SE plays roles in enabling and stimulating social innovation. It reveals a two-tier distinction of hybridity as catalyst and facilitator. This has important implications for policies integrating SEs and for public authorities aiming to stimulate social innovation. Research limitations/implications The contextual quality of social innovation and the configuration of hybridity are in part borne from the context’s institutional structures and opportunity streams, which could limit the generalisability of the findings. Originality/value This paper contributes to the under-researched stream of SE studies focusing on social innovation. It makes explicit the connection between SE hybridity and social innovation, thereby advancing insights into their dynamics. In addition, it extends the author’s understanding of social innovation by revealing a catalytic dimension of the concept as engendered by SE. Lastly, the study makes an empirical and regional contribution to the scant SE research in Norway.