Theorising hybridity in state‑owned enterprises (SOEs)

Abstract

In the context of governing state-owned enterprises (SOEs), we respond to calls for further research into public entrepreneurship and for theorising hybridity in SOEs, by navigating through the diverse and fragmented literature on public entrepreneurship. Synthesising this literature will improve our understanding of this complex organisation form and identify key areas of tension, enabling the development and deployment of more appropriate governance models for SOEs. A modified five-stage systematic literature review process is used to ensure that this study sufficiently encapsulate the significant topics, themes and debates in SOEs, relating to relevant early and contemporary studies. We identify areas that introduce significant tension into this organisation field, noting that corporate governance within SOEs constitutes a laboratory for governance issues. Linking public entrepreneurship with public enterprises, we discuss the restructuring of SOEs as well as hybridity in SOEs. Taking into account the practices and characteristics of SOEs, we argue that the missing link in theorising hybridity in SOEs is theorising hybridity in terms of objective/activity; thus bridging this gap. In concluding, we note that although this paper has discussed some of the identified gaps at length, it is a precursor for future research convergence, thereby pointing to areas for future research.