Skip to main content

LUP Student Papers

LUND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

Moving in the right direction : an analysis of sustainability challenges of Emmaus Fredriksdal (a second-hand business within a solidarity movement)

Savchenko, Polina LU (2016) In Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science MESM02 20161
LUCSUS (Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies)
Abstract
The thesis studies the main sustainability challenges of Emmaus Fredriksdal, which is one of the groups of Emmaus International in Sweden. The organisation has its origin in a solidarity movement, which started in Paris after World War II with the purpose to provide support to the homeless and needy. Emmaus Fredriksdal is a young non-profit organisation in change that is becoming particularly active as a second-hand business. The activities of the organisation also include the support of a variety of projects aimed at helping poor communities all over the world. The current study aims at revealing the main sustainability challenges associated with the activities of Emmaus Fredriksdal and contributing to its future development as a... (More)
The thesis studies the main sustainability challenges of Emmaus Fredriksdal, which is one of the groups of Emmaus International in Sweden. The organisation has its origin in a solidarity movement, which started in Paris after World War II with the purpose to provide support to the homeless and needy. Emmaus Fredriksdal is a young non-profit organisation in change that is becoming particularly active as a second-hand business. The activities of the organisation also include the support of a variety of projects aimed at helping poor communities all over the world. The current study aims at revealing the main sustainability challenges associated with the activities of Emmaus Fredriksdal and contributing to its future development as a sustainable organisation, a business and a movement.
This study focuses on the activities of the organisation, but not on its inner structure and processes. In the beginning, the organisation was analysed from the point of its self-recognition as a social movement applying the social movements theory. Then the main spheres of sustainability challenges were identified, which included environmental aspects of a second-hand business, the role of second-hand consumption on society (particularly the customers) and the role of the organisation in society from the perspective of the solidarity movement. The primary methods for the research included semi-structured interviews, questionnaires and literature review.
This study suggests that the organisation should be aware of the sustainability challenges in a constantly changing world. It identifies the main challenges associated with its activities both as a social movement and as a second-hand business. The conclusions are based on the idea that Emmaus Fredriksdal is an integrated part of the Emmaus movement and should see itself in association with the movement's guiding values. It is suggested that the organisation should incorporate the movement's objectives into its strategy as a business. By placing people (particularly its customers) in the centre of its attention, the business will not only have more potential to be more profitable but also sustain itself as a socially responsible entity and support its role in promoting sustainable consumption practices. Moreover, Emmaus Fredriksdal should be critical in defining the notion of poverty and be careful in developing the approach to tackling it. The study serves as a view on the organisation "from the outside" and is also the first written research conducted by the organisation, its philosophy, its contribution to society, environment and sustainability. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Savchenko, Polina LU
supervisor
organization
course
MESM02 20161
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
sustainability science, Emmaus Fredriksdal, second-hand, social movement
publication/series
Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science
report number
2016:026
language
English
id
8879606
date added to LUP
2016-06-10 12:59:40
date last changed
2016-06-10 12:59:40
@misc{8879606,
  abstract     = {{The thesis studies the main sustainability challenges of Emmaus Fredriksdal, which is one of the groups of Emmaus International in Sweden. The organisation has its origin in a solidarity movement, which started in Paris after World War II with the purpose to provide support to the homeless and needy. Emmaus Fredriksdal is a young non-profit organisation in change that is becoming particularly active as a second-hand business. The activities of the organisation also include the support of a variety of projects aimed at helping poor communities all over the world. The current study aims at revealing the main sustainability challenges associated with the activities of Emmaus Fredriksdal and contributing to its future development as a sustainable organisation, a business and a movement.
This study focuses on the activities of the organisation, but not on its inner structure and processes. In the beginning, the organisation was analysed from the point of its self-recognition as a social movement applying the social movements theory. Then the main spheres of sustainability challenges were identified, which included environmental aspects of a second-hand business, the role of second-hand consumption on society (particularly the customers) and the role of the organisation in society from the perspective of the solidarity movement. The primary methods for the research included semi-structured interviews, questionnaires and literature review. 
This study suggests that the organisation should be aware of the sustainability challenges in a constantly changing world. It identifies the main challenges associated with its activities both as a social movement and as a second-hand business. The conclusions are based on the idea that Emmaus Fredriksdal is an integrated part of the Emmaus movement and should see itself in association with the movement's guiding values. It is suggested that the organisation should incorporate the movement's objectives into its strategy as a business. By placing people (particularly its customers) in the centre of its attention, the business will not only have more potential to be more profitable but also sustain itself as a socially responsible entity and support its role in promoting sustainable consumption practices. Moreover, Emmaus Fredriksdal should be critical in defining the notion of poverty and be careful in developing the approach to tackling it. The study serves as a view on the organisation "from the outside" and is also the first written research conducted by the organisation, its philosophy, its contribution to society, environment and sustainability.}},
  author       = {{Savchenko, Polina}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  series       = {{Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science}},
  title        = {{Moving in the right direction : an analysis of sustainability challenges of Emmaus Fredriksdal (a second-hand business within a solidarity movement)}},
  year         = {{2016}},
}