How hybridity has evolved in the governance of state-owned enterprises: evidence from Danish and Swedish passenger rail services from 1990 to 2015

Abstract

This paper focuses on the evolution of the governance of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) in passenger rail services. Two opposite cases are presented: one from Sweden and the other from Denmark. Using institutional change theory, the paper shows how the SOEs’ hybrid character changed over time. The political responsibility for the Danish SOE expanded, while the Swedish SOE’s political role was gradually reduced. The research approach is new and the results have lessons for those managing and researching SOEs.

Keywords:

• Governance
• hybridity
• marketization
• passenger rail
• state-owned enterprises (SOE)

Acknowledgements

The research was funded by Innovation Fund Denmark as a part of the SUSTAIN project. Thanks to the reviewers and guest editors for their valuable comments.

Notes

* References to documents are not included in the analysis nor in the reference list, but can be obtained by contacting the author.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Lene Tolstrup Christensen

Lene Tolstrup Christensen is a Researcher in the Department of Business and Politics, Copenhagen Business School, Denmark.