Interest groups’ classification-organisational hybridity

Abstract

The article deals with the practice of interest groups acting as associations in Lithuania. Based on the survey conducted by this quantitative an analysis, capacities in five areas have been segregated (internal management, engagement, communication, partnership and public interest). It is understood that due to various internal and external constraints, not every interest group can develop all its capabilities to the required level of success. The research reveals 4 classes based on capacity expression of interest groups, which explains hybridisation of interest groups. It is possible to distinguish interest groups that are based on business type, end user type, affiliation based and competency-based interest groups, which behave in a similar way within a group. The study also reveals that the dividing line between business and other non-governmental type interest groups disappears. There are unified, hybrid-type interest groups that use both business practices in developing communication strategies or delegation-based internal management functions as well as non-governmental sector-specific volunteering practices in order to create added value for the public beyond the interest group alone. So, knowing the degree of hybridisation of interest groups one can help them become more involved in state governance and grow themselves to achieve the goals of their organization.