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Democratic Enterprise: Ethical busi
GreenCity Wholefoods
GreenCity Wholefoods is a non-e
workers, the community and the
GreenCity Wholefoods was esta
three additional persons (at the
a worker co-operative). Like ma
experiencing difficulties along t
and ethical company. Today, th
members. From its humble beg
commercial success, the compa
system of governance, manage
Governance
GreenCity is jointly owned and
system of governance based on
has a blended approach to deci
vote on a decision) is only calle
membership, while a system of
management committee to ma
strategic and operational busin
the AGM, needs an eighty per c
Management
The company operates a flat m
management structure), where
oversee the strategic operation
committee are drawn from eac
At an operational level, Green C
manufacturing, warehousing a
autonomously (e.g. have their o
operations are entrusted to eac
ness for the 21st century Co-operative Edu
Creative Commo
Case Study 5.2
ploitative workplace that takes into consideratio
environment as a whole.
GreenCity Wholefoods Mission State
blished on 6 June 1978 by four founding mem
time, IPS law required that seven people were
ny nascent businesses, the company progresse
he way (mainly capital related), but established
e business generates over 4m in revenue and
innings operating out of a small flat in Hamilto
ny has retained and improved an equitable an
ment and membership development.
democratically controlled by its members and t
one member/one vote. Like most worker-co-o
sion-making; direct democracy (where every m
upon to deal with issues relating to company
representative democracy (where the member
ke decisions on its behalf) is in place to deal wit
ess issues. Any decision taken, whether at a mo
ent majority for it to be approved.
nagement structure (the norm in most busines
individual members are elected to a managem
s of the business. The persons serving on the m
of the functional areas, ensuring fair represen
ity is organised by functional area: accounts, sa
d transport. Each of these departments operat
wn meetings and targets) and decisions relatin
h department.
cation Trust Scotland
ns 3.0 Licence
n the interests of
ment
ers along with
eeded to establish
slowly,
itself as a profitable
as thirty-three
to its current
co-operative
herefore operates a
peratives, GreenCity
ember is required to
policy or
elect a
h the majority of
thly meeting or
ses is a hierarchical
ent committee to
anagement
ation.
les, purchasing,
s largely
g to day-to-day
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Democratic Enterprise: Ethical busi
Membership
A committed and homogenous
GreenCity, every member is ent
worker co-operatives with a flatprobationary period for new w
person is right for the business
important role in the company;
outside of their specialty and fa
The company believes strongly
not only ensures that members
to generate high levels of mem
every member is literate in fina
disseminating company develo
contribute.
ness for the 21st century Co-operative Edu
Creative Commo
membership is a critical for the success of a wo
itled to the same pay and benefits, a practice th
management structure. The company has a sixrkers before offering them full membership, to
and vice versa. The Personnel and Training dep
it encourages members to get involved in area
cilitates this process.
in the importance of sharing information with
are kept up-to-date with developments in the
ber commitment. Some examples of this policy
cial matters (so they can participate effectively
pments through a digital notice board to which
cation Trust Scotland
ns 3.0 Licence
rker co-operative. In
at is common in
monthensure that the
rtment plays an
s of the business
very member. This
usiness, but helps
include ensuring
at the AGM), and
every member can