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Circular with Purpose: Social and Solidarity Economy Shaping the Second-Hand Sector (A and B)
Case 9 70 2025 001A-B
Case published in the International Journal of Case Studies in Management, Vol. 23, No. 3
Languages : 
  • English
Keywords: 
  • circular economy,
  • third sector,
  • cooperative,
  • value proposition,
  • social business model
Year of production : 
2025
Registration date : 
2025-09-04
Teaching notes included : 
Yes
Case document count : 
2
Abstract

Since its founding in 1949, Emmaüs has helped people experiencing homelessness, financial difficulty, and/or seeking professional reintegration. Part A discusses major issues in the fashion and textile industries, such as water consumption and the release of microplastics, and proposes the circular economy as a possible solution. Label Emmaüs is presented as an example of a company committed to the social and solidarity economy (SSE) that incorporates the circular economy into its business model. Part B discusses the current controversy surrounding Emmaüs and its impact on the organization's value proposition.

Primary domain : 
Cooperative and nonprofit sectors
Secondary domain : 
Management  - Third sector management
Sectors : 
  • Consumer goods
Source : 
HEC Montréal
Type : 
Traditional case (Descriptive or analytical case)
Type of data used in the production of the case : 
Factual data that is public and free of potentially litigious content
Event location : 
France
Year of start of the event : 
2023
Year the event ended : 
Not available
Business size : 
Small- and medium-sized
Teaching objectives
  • Develop and discuss sustainable business models, including the circular and social and solidarity economies
  • Analyze the value proposition of sustainable business models
  • Recognize the interdependence of social justice and environmental sustainability
  • Evaluate organizational practices and recommend ways to enrich the value proposition