Table 6.

A multi-level framework for SE governance

MainScientificPracticalPolicy
LevelFindingsContributionImplicationsImplicationsKey theoretical lenses and illustrative studies
Macro-dimension- Variation in SE governance models across national regulatory frameworks- Influence of institutional frameworks on hybridisation dynamics- Consideration of legal diversity in SE governance planning- Regulatory balance between investment openness and mission protectionInstitutional and comparative perspectives on SE models (e.g., Defourny and Nyssens, 2010, 2017; Lindsay and Hems, 2004; Liptrap, 2021; Vakkuri et al., 2021)
- EU emphasis on multi-stakeholder governance and asset locks- Tensions from regulation-driven multi-stakeholder governance- Strategic legal form selection based on flexibility and mission safeguarding- Policy design informed by diversity in SE organisational forms
- US preference for flexible legal forms (e.g. B-Corps, L3Cs) with limited redistributive constraints- Underrepresentation of Global South and Eastern Europe in empirical studies
- High heterogeneity in SE classification across empirical studies- Legal framework evolution and implications for mission drift
Micro-dimension- Tensions between social mission and economic sustainability- Impact of governance structure on social–economic goal balance- Board composition with social and economic expertise- Capacity-building initiatives for hybrid governance and board effectivenessStakeholder, agency and hybrid governance perspectives (e.g., Ebrahim et al., 2014; Mair et al., 2015; Wolf and Mair, 2019; Mason, 2012; Spear et al., 2014; Pestoff and Hulgård, 2016; Savall Morera et al., 2024; Lee et al., 2024)
- Enhanced legitimacy through multi-stakeholder governance, with increased decision-making complexity- Comparative assessments of hybrid governance effectiveness- Participatory structures for strategic alignment and transparency- Support for inclusive and mission-aligned governance models
- Limited research on board–mission alignment- Stakeholder participation and organisational performance- Skill development in hybrid governance
- Board–management alignment in mission fulfilment
Meso-dimension- Role of SEs as strategic coordinators in inter-sectoral partnerships- Governance design in cross-sector partnerships- Development of collaborative governance skills- Institutional support for co-governance in multi-actor contextsResource dependence, collaborative governance and hybridity/institutional logics perspectives (e.g., Brinkerhoff and Brinkerhoff, 2011; Quélin et al., 2017; Doherty and Kittipanya-Ngam, 2021; Longoni et al., 2019; Gillett et al., 2019; Henry et al., 2022; Hatak et al., 2016)
- Value-based tensions and divergent logics in SE–for-profit collaborations- Effects of power asymmetries on partnership sustainability- Conflict management mechanisms in partnership settings- Incentives for transparent and durable collaborative models
- Trust-building through inclusive governance practices- Governance configurations for long-term collaboration

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