Management Letters/Cuadernos de Gestión (Dec 2002)
Emaús, a charity organization
Abstract
Emaús Bilbao Cooperative Company is a social economy and solidarity organization for socio-labour insertion. It is dedicated to the comprehensive management of solid urban waste. It has its headquarters in Bilbao and carries out its work in Vizcaya.From 1970, the year in which Emaús established itself in Vizcaya, to the present day, the organization has experienced an evolution which has led it to change its management direction. Gone are the days when they were only known as “the rag and bone men of Emaus” with all the connotations that were associated with that name. At present we find a company which has adopted new management formulas without losing the characteristics of its social and solidarity project. This has enabled it to face up to the prevailing conditions in todays economic climate. In this way it has been able to guarantee its survival.The comprehensive management of solid urban waste is made up of four diverse parts: The location of the urban solid waste through the receiving of telephone calls, its collection and selection, and the final elimination of those things that can not be incorporated again into the consumer chain. Through this case, the problems that arise for the organization with reference to the management of Human Resources are analysed. These are related above all to the motivational and decision making aspects due to the diverse characteristics as much in their own workers as in the organization.
