ABSTRACT
Corporate social responsibility is not a new concept, but it has received much research interest. While theoretical research into corporate social responsibility has suggested a positive relationship between businesses' response to social issues and financial performance, the empirical evidence is mixed. Many writers see for-profit businesses and nonprofit organizations as existing on a continuum, with pure businesses seeking only profit maximization on one end of the spectrum and values-based organizations working solely for environmental or social issues on the other end of the spectrum. Some alliances demonstrate strong linkages between traditional businesses and environmental and social issues. Hybrid organizations often encompass both social and environmental concerns, and the current research is minimal in the area. The research into sustainable entrepreneurship can help understand the formation and players behind hybrid organizations; its focus is necessarily narrower than the broader scope of hybrid organizations.
