Defining and Typologising Hybridity: Resilience Mechanisms and Crises Responses in Nordic Higher Education

Abstract

This chapter summarises insights into the concept of hybridity in Nordic higher education institutions (HEI). Against the backdrop of economic shifts, digital transformation, and crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical conflicts, hybridity emerges as both a challenge and a resilience mechanism. The book identifies hybridity as the coexistence of conflicting logics, roles and practices at institutional, organisational and individual levels. It manifests itself in four domains: institutional logics, missions and responsibilities, work tasks and practices, and the co-creation of knowledge and value. These manifestations reveal how Nordic universities balance traditional academic values with market-driven reforms, integrate digital tools into core academic functions, and engage in collaborative knowledge production. Hybridity also serves as a strategic response to crises, enabling institutions to maintain continuity while navigating competing demands. Further, it promotes resilience by fostering flexibility and innovation in governance, teaching and research. This chapter presents theoretical typologies to understand the emergence of hybridity and its implications for organisational practices and societal engagement. Ultimately, hybridity encapsulates the evolving identity of Nordic HEI s, shaping their ability to adapt to global and local challenges while maintaining academic integrity.