The Social Purpose Spectrum: Hybridity and Purpose Drift

Abstract

Abstract Organizations exist along a Social Purpose Spectrum, determined by the relative centrality of the social purpose to an organization’s strategic intent. This chapter identifies two main forms of organization on this spectrum: social purpose organizations (SPOs) and organizations with a social purpose (OWSPs). In SPOs, social purpose is synonymous with organizational purpose. In OWSPs, the social purpose serves, or is subordinate to, other organizational aims. Seen through the lens of institutional logics, we discuss how an organization’s place on the Social Purpose Spectrum, be that as an SPO or an OWSP, is not fixed. Without certain ‘anchoring’ mechanisms in place,..