Craftspeople's autonomy in an “organization-craftspeople-tourist” ternary work structure

Abstract

As the tourism industry plays a crucial role in revitalizing traditional crafts, craftspeople are increasingly becoming the core attraction in craft tourism. They are employed by tourism organizations with their main duties as showcasing the craft production process in front of tourists. However, how craftspeople negotiate their autonomy in such an emergent “organization-craftspeople-tourist” ternary work structure remains unclear. This research uses a qualitative research method to analyze craftspeople's autonomy by investigating their interactions with their organization and with tourists at a scenic spot in Jingdezhen, China. Interviews with 47 respondents reveal that craft tourism has changed the traditional work structure from organization-craftspeople-final products to organization-craftspeople-tourists. Craftspeople can execute their agency and obtain autonomy in such a work structure. Moreover, such arrangements also benefit elderly craftspeople. This research contributes to a further understanding of craftspeople's working experience in an organized tourism context and improves tourism employment for craftspeople.