Hybrid as an Epistemological and Methodological Approach

This chapter illustrates the epistemological and methodological approach adopted in the SHARE project by introducing the perspective of Hybrid as Method. Focusing on solo self-employment as a hybrid area has implicitly meant questioning the dichotomy that has historically associated autonomy, risk, and an individualist orientation with self-employment, and subordination, social protection, and a collectivist orientation with salaried employment. In this perspective, the hybrid is not just an ‘object’ of research but rather an epistemological approach that illustrates not only what the hybrid areas of labour are but also how they work, how they have changed over time, and how they can be imagined and combined in alternative ways.