A quick scan audit of the 'socio-technical' system in a leather accessories manufacturing SME

Abstract

Leather fashion and footwear industry contributes significantly to the Indian economy through employment generation and earning foreign exchange. Both public and private sectors have increasingly emphasised on the planned development of this industry and encourage more SME involvement and participation. However, recent studies indicate that Indian leather manufacturing SMEs are, often, unable to compete effectively and efficiently on a global platform due to certain inherent and external constraints. This paper adopts a case research methodology with 'quick-scan' audit tool to review the socio-technical system of a leather export SME. It draws attention to the inefficiencies in the production system and highlights the human resource 'gaps' faced by the company. The two-fold findings of the case investigation point to a need to develop 'social' competencies not only in an individual organisation but also at the sectorial level. The selected case has been used as a fundamental prism through which current labour regulations and standards prevailing in the country need to be examined and possibly reformed.