Hybrid organisations contributing to wellbeing in Small Pacific Island Countries

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to examine the contributions of hybrid organisations to wellbeing in small Pacific island countries. Design/methodology/approach The concept and different forms of hybrid organisations are examined, and then the operation and contributions to wellbeing of three Fijian hybrid organisations are considered. Findings Hybrid organisations in this region operate with a commitment to the common good and an ethic of care. Fijian hybrid organisations improve social and economic wellbeing for individuals, families and communities by providing employment, schools and training facilities, financial and support services, sustainable agriculture projects and facilitating networking. These services improve individual and community social and economic wellbeing, build resilience, add to personal and family security, offer opportunities for the future, advance leadership skills and sustain the environment. Commercial activities that support these organisations in their wellbeing endeavours include product sales, service fees, project levies and investment income. Research limitations/implications Generalisability beyond the Pacific region is not assured, as this review only examines hybrid organisations in small Pacific island countries. Practical implications Hybrid organisations offer an alternative pathway to achieve a sustainable enterprise economy, an approach that is more culturally relevant for the Pacific region. Policies to nurture the development of these organisations, and research into the startup, operation, impact and effectiveness of different hybrid organisation models would help to improve wellbeing in this region. International charities and aid agencies could advance the wellbeing of people living in this region by supporting the development of hybrid organisations. External agencies seeking to support hybrid organisation development are advised to consider providing funding through a regional agency rather than engaging directly with national governments. Social implications Developing a robust hybrid organisation sector will improve social and economic wellbeing for people living in small island nations. Originality/value As one of the first studies to examine wellbeing and hybrid organisations, this review adds to hybrid business theory by its consideration of small Pacific island countries. The authors add to existing understandings of how hybrid organisations contribute to social and economic wellbeing for individuals, families and communities. The review identifies each form hybrid organisational form adopts. Each has a central commitment to generating social and economic value but different revenue sources. The review adds valuable new knowledge to the limited scholarship of this region by identifying the philosophical foundations and contributions to wellbeing of these hybrid organisations. A future research agenda and policy development process is proposed to improve wellbeing and advance hybrid organisations in the region.

Contextualising social enterprise in Fiji

“…Currently, there is lack of knowledge of innovative approaches that could help to sustain new forms of social development in Fiji (Douglas et al , 2018). One exogenous initiative is a social finance programme funded by Australian government aid.…”

“No Man Is an Island”: Perspectives of CHamorus in Guam on COVID‐19

“…But the patterns are suggestive of a greater communitarianism that the CHamorus we interviewed associated with their culture. Studies have elsewhere documented the uniquely successful implementation in island communities like Fiji of hybrid organizations, which operate according to an "ethic of care" (p. 490) and use a combined model of commercial and civic systems to promote the common good (Douglas et al, 2018). It bears noting that divergent examples can also be found in Guam, where, as everywhere, protests have been staged against masking and social distancing mandates due to their perceived impact on tourism and other industries (Kaur, 2020).…”

The Role of Agricultural Institutions in Providing Support Towards Sustainable Rural Development in South Pacific Island Countries

“…Inadequate training of agricultural extension staff and agricultural professionals, in general, is recognized as part of the problem of extension ineptitude in South Pacific island countries (Bachmann, 2000;Douglas et al, 2018;Hardaker & Fleming, 1989). Regrettably, the training of human resources in agriculture is often not a high precedence in the development plans of governments of Pacific island countries as manifested by poor funding opportunities for agricultural research and innovations (Harvey et al, 2014;Liu & Wall, 2006;Organization, 2015).…”

“…Therefore, agricultural institutions have a critical role to play in articulating these challenges to stakeholders as part of generating knowledge. The design and scope of higher agricultural degree training and research in the agricultural institutions contribute to knowledge and innovations necessary for rural communities in the South Pacific island countries (Ameur, 1994;Douglas, Eti-Tofinga, & Singh, 2018;Walshe, Seng, Bumpus, & Auffray, 2018). Much of this knowledge and innovations remain unpublished and, thus, the outputs are not shared for uptake and application by rural communities in the Pacific region.…”