This article analyzes the organizational development of a public research institute, the Food Technology Institute (Ital), during a period of 10 years. It applies the case study methodology and, for the first time, the concepts of institutional and managerial models. The first concept emphasizes the evolution of the formal characteristics which allow any institution to carry out its social functions. On the other hand, the managerial model consists of two components, the mandatory one, which results from the institutional model, and the strategic one, which results from the methods developed to organize and to conduct the institutuion's strategic decisions. The conclusion is that Ital's main characteristic is to be a hybrid institution, because, although being a legal public institute of research, it has been managed as a highly innovative private enterprise in many aspects. In its institutional trajectory Ital has adopted a decentralized organization which has allowed it to deepen relations with the private sector and to increase the participation of non-government resources in its budget. The strategic component of its managerial model has greatly influenced Ital's organizational development. However, its organizational model is beginning to show signs of fatigue, challengingr its continuity as a reference institution.
organizational innovation; public research institute; institutional model; managerial model; institutional trajectory; Ital
