Hybrid organizations, governmental entities that mix characteristics of
private and public sector organizations, are increasingly popular mechanisms
for implementing public policy. Koppell assesses the performance of the growing
quasi-government in terms of accountability and control. Comparing hybrids to
traditional government agencies in three policy domains - export promotion,
housing and international development - Koppell argues that hybrid
organizations are more difficult to control largely due to the fact that
hybrids behave like regulated organizations rather than extensions of
administrative agencies. Providing a rich conception of the bureaucratic
control problem, Koppell also argues that hybrid organizations are
intrinsically less responsive to the political preferences of their political
masters and suggests that as policy tools they are inappropriate for some
tasks. This book provides a timely study of an important administrative and
political phenomenon.