Hybrid organizations and impact scaling

: the case of Movimento Transformers

Abstract

This dissertation examines how hybrid organizations scale social impact while preserving mission fidelity, using Movimento Transformers (MT), a Portuguese youth empowerment organization, as a case study and building on an analytical framework to analyze internal and external constraints, enabling mechanisms, and the transversal role of technology. A qualitative methodology was employed, combining semi-structured interviews with secondary data to capture multi-stakeholder perspectives. Findings indicate that MT faces structural challenges common in literature, including limited staff capacity, bureaucratic funding processes, and heterogeneous civic traditions. At the same time, the case highlights distinctive dynamics: partnerships acted not only as resource providers but also as gateways to policy ecosystems; mission delivery itself generated financial value when supported by impact evaluations; and an informal, participatory culture functioned as a safeguard against mission drift during growth. Additionally, digital tools enhanced legitimacy, transparency, and policy influence, positioning technology as both an operational amplifier and a symbolic enabler. The study concludes that hybrid scaling is a dynamic balancing act that combines formal safeguards with cultural anchors, diversified resources, and strategic use of digitalization. Generalizability is limited by the single-case, Portugal-specific design and a small sample. Nonetheless, the findings offer actionable guidance for practitioners and policymakers engaged in social enterprise development, on strengthening safeguards, embedding ecosystems, and leveraging data for credibility.

Date of Award	13 Oct 2025
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Carlos Miguel Pelicano Borges Teixeira de Azevedo (Supervisor)