Understanding multi-purpose hybrid voluntary organizations: The contributions of theories on civil society, social movements and non-profit organizations

Abstract The paper offers a theoretical framework to study the conditions that lead to the emergence of multi-purpose hybrid voluntary organizations and the factors that influence their ability to mobilize resources and enlist commitment. These organizations are characterized by four interrelated attributes: (a) they set out as their mission to uphold and promote cultural values that are typically at variant with dominant and institutionalized values; (b) they offer services to members and the public that express their distinct values, using the services as a model and catalyst for social change; (c) in addition to their instrumental goals, they aim to meet the expressive and social identity needs of their members by promoting a collective identity; and (d) they evolve into hybrid organizations by having multiple purposes—combining to various degrees goals of value change, service provision and mutual-aid. Because they deliberately combine features of volunteer-run associations, social movements and non-profit service organizations, we articulate a theoretical framework that melds concepts and propositions from the various theoretical perspectives used to study each of these organizational forms. We argue that the expanded theoretical framework offers a more comprehensive and dynamic view of civil society and a better perspective to the study of third sector organizations. Keywords: Hybrid voluntary organizationssocial movementscivil societynon-profit organizations Notes 1. The literature on this category of organizations uses various terms such as ‘non-profit organizations’, ‘voluntary associations’ and ‘civil society organizations’ among others. The idea in all cases is that these organizations are neither a constituent of the public sector nor a part of the profit-making sector. 2. For complete details on the methodology and findings see Gidron et al. Citation(2004). 3. That was the case for most of the peace organizations in Israel, which used back channels to interact with political elites. 4. We are also cognizant of the fact that rich associational life may be exploited by totalitarian political parties to gain hegemony (see Kwon, Citation2004).