Craft Market Research Articles

Analysis Of Motivation, Market Introduction, Innovation, And Entrepreneurial Commitment Towards The Performance Of Tomang Khas Fakfak Craft Micro Business Group

The research aims to determine the entrepreneurial mental readiness of tomang craftsmen in Gewerpe village towards increasingly open creative economic market competition; in order to foster and accelerate the economic development of Fakfak regency. Descriptive research uses a semi-qualitative approach through the application of weighting techniques and presenting the analysis results in a compilation between the spider diagram method and the gap analysis method. The 73 respondents were tomang craftsmen and community leaders in Gewerpe village, Fakfak district. The research results show that innovation to create tomang products is good, but the products produced have not been able to enter the competitive global creative economy market. Weak business motivation, recognition of the craft market, and commitment to doing business that is acceptable in the global market; is something that still needs to be improved

Understanding the cocoa genetic resources in the Pacific to assist producers to supply the growing craft market

ABSTRACT The Pacific countries of Fiji, Samoa, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu account for less than 2% of the world’s cacao dry bean production. To capitalise on the rapidly expanding origin craft cocoa market, understanding the genetic attributes of Theobroma cacao in the Pacific is essential. A six-year ACIAR-funded project collected 1647 dried leaf samples from research stations and smallholder farms to identify the population ancestry of T. cacao in the partner countries. Using SNP marker profiling, the study identified germplasm high in Amelonado, which represents the majority of material throughout the Pacific. However, the study also identified samples high in the remaining nine genetic groups, including Criollo, Nanay, IMC (Iquitos), Guiana, Parinari (Marañón), Nacional, Ucayali (Contamana), LCT EEN (Curaray), and Purus, which were distributed throughout the Pacific. The results, if utilised in local selection trials, could reposition growers in the Pacific countries, allowing them to supply the growing origin craft cocoa market, with genetically unique beans. Cocoa genetics was one aspect of a project incorporating production and postharvest research to refocus the commodity based cocoa industry to a supplier of high-quality beans of unique Pacific cocoa origin to the rapidly expanding craft ‘bean to bar’ cocoa industry.

Street vendors and power relations among actors: process of place making in Borobudur food and craft market

PurposeExisting literature shows conflicting views regarding street vendors in a place. They are considered both positive and negative. Their existence has rarely been examined from a combination of place-making and power theories. This research aimed (a) to identify the actors who transform Borobudur Food and Craft Market and the sources of power and actions carried out by these actors and (b) to find out the views of other actors about street vendors.Design/methodology/approachThe design used in this study was an instrumental case study. The data were collected using semi-structured interviews and photo documentation. The sampling technique used was purposive sampling with several participants of as many as 12 persons consisting of 4 street vendors, 4 employees of the state-owned enterprise in charge of the Borobudur tourist site and 4 tourists. The data were analyzed through two-phased coding. To improve the credibility, participant validation was conducted.FindingsThis study made new findings. First, in a place, there are formal and informal place-making actors who transform the place with the sources of power they have and the acts of power they carry out. Both formal and informal actors can perform coercive and noncoercive acts of power. This shows the existence of contested power in a setting. Second, street vendors are viewed positively as well as negatively. Comprehensive policies need to be implemented by key actors to minimize the negative sides of the existence of street vendors and optimize the benefits from them.Research limitations/implicationsData collection was carried out when the Indonesian government implemented restrictions on public activities during the pandemic. At that time, tourism activities were very limited. In the future, researchers can use other techniques such as the self-report visual method because not all street vendors are fluent in expressing their opinions in interviews.Practical implicationsBoth central and regional governments and local stakeholders can synergistically carry out a dialogue, seeking common ground to accommodate each other's interests. The next steps are to consistently apply the policies resulting from the dialogue and ensure that each actor plays a role according to their respective portion and authority.Originality/valuePrevious studies typically explain power as the possession of resources and relational attributes. This study has taken a different point of view, namely about acts of power contested in a certain place. Actors who have power are not always those who have formal legitimacy. Informal parties are considered powerless despite having power.

Restless platformance: How prosumer practices change platform markets

Prosumers in many markets are increasingly using platforms for their inter-related production and consumption pursuits. Using a practice theory lens, this paper examines how the connections between the bundle of marketing practices performed by entrepreneurial prosumers in the craft market are altered when they come to rely on platforms like Etsy. It identifies a new practice, labeled “platformance,” that these prosumers adopt in response to changes in their practices bundle. Platformance is a restless practice in that it aims to alter the market in which it is embedded. Findings reported here suggest that platformance may help prosumers deal with platformization by changing certain market elements, but ironically may also increase their platform dependence. Platformance may also contribute to altering aspects of the platform markets in which it is performed.

Transformation and tensions in the Sri Lankan brassware industry: Lessons for craft industry clusters in the global South

Craft industries in the global south make important contributions to local culture and economic development, yet their organisational dynamics and community development potential are understudied. Moreover, these industries are undergoing rapid change as creative producers adapt to economic liberalisation and globalisation. Focusing on this challenge, this research explores the changing dynamics and economic development potentials of an artistic brassware industry in Kandy, Sri Lanka. The research analyses how key features of the brassware industry including community-specific knowledge and skills, social networking, and identity creation that are tied to long-existing socio-cultural factors such as religion and the caste system are changing. As producers adapt or move away from traditional production techniques and values, the industry has undergone significant change and a resultant downturn. Although not representative of experiences in all global south countries, the findings from this case may contribute to a deeper understanding of craft industries in countries facing similar challenges. • Creative producers adapt to economic liberalisation and globalization. • Community-specific knowledge and skills, social networking, and identity creation. • Research into the specific skills and practices behind craft industries in global south countries is rare. • Niche craft market that combines both tradition and innovation by selectively targeting the growing tourism industry.

A Market Development Business Strategy of Eco-Friendly Craft From Palm Oil Stand Waste in Rokan Hilir, Riau

This study aims to produce an analysis of the strategic position of the market development of the palm oil sticks waste craft industry and to determine an analysis of alternative strategies for the development of the palm-oil sticks waste craft market in Rokan Hilir Riau. This research method uses the QSPM (Quantitative Strategic Planning Matrix) method. The results of the QSPM analysis in this study to the formulation of alternative design strategies. Determine what, how, when, where and who runs QSPM. This study indicates that IFAS and EFAS are in the quadrant II position with coordinate values between 2.00 – 2.99. This position indicates that the palm-oil stick waste craft industry in Rokan Hilir Riau is positively strong. However, it faces significant challenges, so it must be managed with a market development strategy. While the results of the QSPM analysis show that the priority of alternative market development strategies is to increase the value of product uniqueness, product added value, knowledge capabilities, and craftsman skills. The industry is advised to increase its tactical strategy variations in demanding challenges. The business challenges are marketing, business network, technological innovation, and capital issues. The improvement of production facilities and infrastructure and increasing knowledge and skills of diversified processing artisans increase the unique value of the product and the added value of the product being more different than competitors. The research implications contribute to determining the market development strategy and theoretical implications related to the market development strategy concept. Keywords: business strategy, market development, QSPM, creative economy, ecofriendly

Defining the Sense of Place Components in the Food and Craft Market at the World Heritage Site

The research aimed to strengthen the future sense of place by focusing on the sense of place components, namely, physical, social, personal, and shared meaning aspects, as input to local stakeholders. The sense of place of Borobudur Temple stimulated visitors to attend the tourism area at the heritage site, whose potential could be strengthened by promoting the local creative economy and its identity. The research provided theoretical benefits as a basis for further research and practical benefits as input for stakeholders to strengthen the identity of heritage areas. The research was a solution to preserving the historical value of this region in both physical and social aspects in order to strengthen the place’s character as the stalwart of the Borobudur area as a world heritage artifact. The discoveries would clear up the area’s function as Borobudur’s shopping excursion area in a local identity context. Data were collected through structured observation, in-depth online interviews, photos, videos, literature studies, and a manual data analysis procedure. The results show that physical attributes, such as site, build form, and landmark, need improvements. Moreover, social interaction, pedestrian flows, product, personal and shared meanings, comprising history, narration, and event and promotion, should be improved. Further studies should focus on how to improve architecture, modern product variations, and local music. Furthermore, the sense of place will be increased by understanding the services cape of Borobudur Food and Craft Market.

Study on Service Design for Vitalization of One-person Creative Companies in the Field of Culture and Arts - Focusing on the Changwon Burim Craft Market -

본 연구는 서비스디자인 방법론을 활용하여 문화예술 분야 1인 창조기업의 이윤증대와 산업 활성화를 위해 서비스혁신에 유용한 프로세스를 제안하는데 목적이 있다. 연구의 목적을 달성하기 위해 1인 창조기업 중심의 공예산업을 대상으로 서비스 문제 발견과 정의, 서비스 발전, 서비스 전달의 4단계를 거쳐 산업 활성화를 위한 개념적모형을 도출했다. 연구대상은 공방이 모여 있는 창원 부림공예촌으로 전문가, 소비자 등을 대상으로 COVID 상황에 맞춰 서면인터뷰와 전화인터뷰 등 비대면 인터뷰와 대면인터뷰를 병행하여 실시했다. 연구결과, 문화예술 산업소비층의 변화를 발견했는데 현재 구매계층과 향유계층으로 구분된 것에서 적극적 소비층인 가치창조 계층이 추가되었다. 1인 창조기업 창업가의 역할 확대 및 역량강화의 필요성을 확인했고 이를 위해 1인 창조기업 지원방향에있어 정책적 변화가 요구된다. 또한 온라인 서비스 강화 및 역사 문화자원 활용 등의 구체적 서비스혁신 방안을서비스 블루프린트로 시각화했다. 이러한 결과는 문화예술 분야 1인 창조기업의 서비스개선을 위한 실무적 시사점과 지원체계의 변화를 위한 정책적 시사점을 제공한다.

Handmade OK please: key criteria for purchasing craft items by Indian consumers

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to identify the key criteria from the perspective of handmade, authenticity and sustainability for purchasing craft items by Indian consumers.Design/methodology/approachAn exploratory qualitative research was conducted on the buying behaviour of Assamese muga mekhela chador (MMC). Data were collected using purposive sampling and video-recorded focus group discussions (FGDs). Output transcripts were content-analysed using the R package RQDI.FindingsIndian consumers largely define crafts as handmade. Results indicate the crucial role of craft design and price. Craft authenticity, craft knowledge and social identity evolved as the key criteria for buying crafts. State intervention in craft certification is demanded. Indian craft consumers lack awareness about sustainable consumption.Originality/valueIndia is home to millions of craftspeople and craft buyers. Most of the earlier craft studies focused on the problems of craft production in India. This study contributes to the consumption literature, from the standpoints of authenticity and sustainability, which are often limited to Western consumers. Understanding its own domestic craft market will help Indian policymakers and organisations to reduce export dependency and to tap potential local craft demand.

Investigation into color designs of product packaging through visual evaluations using machine learning methods

For a commodity, in addition to its quality, its external package is also very essential. This paper briefly introduced the intelligent support vector machine (SVM) algorithm for color design of paper packaging. The features were extracted from photos of packages using scale-invariant feature transform (SIFT), and the intelligent algorithm was trained and tested using photos of paper packaging for ceramic products collected at the ceramic crafts market as a sample set. Two paper package schemes designed in this study were used for further test. The SVM algorithm was compared with the back-propagation (BP) algorithm and the convolutional neural network (CNN) algorithm. The results showed that the three intelligent algorithms could evaluate the color design of paper packages, but the SVM algorithm was more accurate than the BP and CNN algorithms in evaluating the imagery of color design, both for the samples collected in the craft market and for the paper packaging scheme designed in this paper.

Public policies, management strategies, and the sustainable and competitive management model in handicrafts

This article addresses the theme sustainable and competitive craft management supported by public policies. It fills the gap in the identified literature of the absence of management models for a sector that strives for personalization, productive specialization and social inclusion of people who have artistic attitude. The study aims to analyze cooperation as a determinant of management strategies and their impacts on the model of sustainable and competitive management in the activity of crafts. Thus, the research questions are: is cooperation a determinant of management strategies? Does cooperation impact on the sustainable and competitive management model of artisanal activity? Its elaboration was supported by the theoretical background from the postulates of the Strategic Decision Theory (SDT). Specially look for the attributes cooperation, competition and sustainable management. From a questionnaire, we collected data from 156 artisans registered with the Department of Social Assistance in the municipality of Chapecó, Brazil (SEASC). The study’s hypotheses were tested based on confirmatory factor analysis, analysis of the main components, multiple linear regressions and logistic regressions. The results indicate that cooperation positively influences craft market strategies. In addition, improvement strategies in the management of handicrafts positively influence market strategies and support sustainable and competitive management models for this activity. On the other hand, there was no evidence that cooperation influences the management of handicrafts, nor did it support the hypothesis that market strategies support models of sustainable and competitive management of handicrafts. The challenge of making crafts sustainable and competitive is directly associated with making strategic decisions, including results from the articulation of the actors in the researched network, mainly for the creation of market strategies and the management of crafts. The results emphasize that public policies encourage cooperation and, therefore, should be considered a strategic factor that strengthens the activity through social inclusion, job creation, income and quality of life of the artisan. The study contributions to the literature because it analyzes cooperation as a determinant of management strategies for a poorly explored productive segment, despite being considered inclusive, differentiated, which generates high added value and values personal skills and competences that go beyond academic knowledge.

Asymmetrische Information auf dem Handwerksmarkt – eine qualitative Analyse

Abstract The code of craft regulation constitutes the legal base for craft and trade occupations in Germany. Resulting from a deregulation in 2004, the requirement to obtain a degree of higher occupational training, which used to be obligatory for founding a business, was dropped for about half of the occupations regulated by this code. While this deregulation has been frequently analyzed from a competition economics’ perspective, evidence regarding the information economics’ aspect of this deregulation is lacking. It is of particular relevance whether the deregulation fostered market failures due to “market-for-lemons” issues or, to the contrary, whether market-endogenous information instruments have emerged – a question located at the pivot of the economic discussion of the craft regulation. This study uses a qualitative research approach and analyzes 268 interviews with firms and customers on craft fairs to examine informational asymmetries on the market for craft services as well as market instruments for their compensation. We find evidence that strong informational asymmetries exist and are compensated by regional reputation building of firms. Further, we show that no formal informational mechanisms have emerged that could determine service quality ex ante. Based upon those results, suggestions for the further study of the informational properties of the craft market are presented.

Extending authenticity: Going corporate in a craft market

Authenticity is a critical feature of a brand’s quality, integrity, and reputation. Scholars maintain that craft companies face a legitimacy crisis after an acquisition because customers question the brand’s authenticity. Significantly less is known about fan loyalty after a buyout. This article tracks the strategies and conditions that enable the extension of authenticity in the move from a craft to a corporate identity. Qualitative case study analysis indicates that consumers are pursuing new contexts to signal superiority and accrue cultural capital. Producer-consumer relations, what I call artisan kinship and craft celebrity, allow for the affirmation of uniqueness and attainment of status. Evolving trends in the procurement and display of cachet have created opportunities for entrepreneurs to avoid criticism of inauthentic behavior.

Masterful Meisters? Voluntary Certification and Quality in the German Crafts Sector

Abstract Voluntary certification systems potentially reduce search costs in markets with imperfect information. Service markets with many heterogeneous firms - such as the crafts market - are prone to information imperfections and can therefore potentially benefit from such informational mechanisms. We examine if the Meister qualification in the German crafts sector improves service quality as perceived by consumers. We find a significant and positive relationship between the Meister title and consumer ratings and conclude that the certificate is a credible sign of quality.

Music and emotion links to visitor harassment: a look at Jamaica

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to use a study conducted on the Caribbean island of Jamaica to make the case that music might be a plausible suppressant of negative visitor harassment (VH). The goal of the study in question was to determine the genres of songs and music likely to have a positive effect on emotions the antithesis of the ones associated with VH but would have positive effect on visitors’ shopping behaviors as well.Design/methodology/approachA mixed method pre-experimental design was used for the study. Forty-two craft traders from a single craft market in Jamaica participated in seven music experiments and the data gathered were analyzed using predominantly paired and independent t-test analyses.FindingsThe researchers found that music likely to result in positive shopper behaviors also resulted in positive trader emotions, in particular in emotions the antithesis of those associated with trader harassment. In addition, the researchers discovered that old non-instrumental local songs had a significantly greater positive effect on these emotions than local contemporary songs and instrumental music.Originality/valueThe study discussed was original as it was the first known that looked at music as a possible treatment for negative VH.

Drink Beer for Science: An Experiment on Consumer Preferences for Local Craft Beer

AbstractThe U.S. and global beer industries include a great many smaller-scale craft breweries supplying numerous differentiated products as well as a few macro-breweries with less diverse beer portfolios. The craft and macro segments of this industry have become quite distinct, with little substitutability between the two types of beer. Furthermore, since the early 2000s the craft segment has realized consistent growth whereas large breweries have seen a steady decline in sales. Macro-breweries have responded by acquiring smaller breweries to capture a share of the craft market. This study implements an experimental approach to measure consumers’ willingness to pay (WTP) for locally produced and independently owned beer. Regression analysis clearly indicates that consumers prefer locally owned and independently produced beer, and how much they are willing to pay for those attributes. (JEL Classifications: D12, L66)

A hand-crafted slow revolution: Co-designing a new genre in the luxury world

Abstract There exists an emerging genre of luxury that speaks to consumers’ desire for products that put a holistic view of sustainability at the forefront. Today, there are consumers who seek products that are not only unique and of high quality but also come with a story of the artisan and the community from which it originates. We argue that a new genre of luxury is formed as traditional craftsmen are exposed to the global marketplace and have the opportunity to interact with consumers who seek high-end or bespoke products. For this to be truly sustainable, artisans must develop commensurate capabilities. Thus, the new genre requires ‘co-design’. We use the case of the International Folk Art Market (IFAM) in Santa Fe, New Mexico, United States, as an example of creating a new luxury craft market, and the example of an innovative education programme for traditional artisans in India to show how artisans from remote parts of the world can increase their capacity to avail such new markets in a way that sustains them economically and culturally.

“I Choose to be Here”: Tensions between Autonomy and Precarity in Craft Market Vendors’ Work

Outdoor markets have emerged as key nodes in cities’ attempts to revitalize downtown areas through culture and consumption. However, few studies have investigated urban markets as sites of labor, or explored work conditions from the perspective of vendors themselves. As self–employed creative workers in a seasonal industry, artisan vendors experience various forms of economic insecurity related to precarity inherent to their line of work. This article investigates the experiences of artisan craft vendors in Ottawa's popular ByWard Market. Through interviews with vendors, we explore themes such as artisan identity, relationships in the market, and economic and labor conditions. We argue that although precarity seems to be inherent in the vendors’ work conditions, it does not undermine their identities as artisans, in part because of the strong value attached to autonomous, creative work. This attachment may, however, hinder artisan vendors’ abilities to organize for structural changes that would mitigate their economic precarity.

首都圏における趣味の手作りクラフト市場を構成する場の体系と参加者の活動実態

As demands of consumers are getting more diverse, downtown and residential areas in Japan have changed to satisfy various image requirements, not just functional differences. It should not be overlooked that the activities of people who make, sell, and interact with their hobbies are growing to a non-negligible economic scale, with invisible change of landscape. In this research, through interview surveys at multiple exhibition spot sale meetings held in the Tokyo metropolitan area, we grasp the actual state of the hand-made craft market and the social background of their formation. We grasped the position of handmade craft market in chapter 2 and clarified the following three points. 1) The system of the places for activities constituting the hand-made craft market of hobbies The places for procurement of materials diversified in the real space and the Internet space, and they came to satisfy the quality, kindness, reasonable prices, convenience for the producers. Production of handmade crafts are enhanced by outside places and services such as shared workshops and the vendor services. In addition, the places for selling works has also diversified, with exhibitions and craft market services, the producers felt delighted that their work gained empathy with the purchasers and exchanges between artists and fans were born. These facts lead to their motivation for making. Almost all of the producers are using SNS to receive information and stimulated from works of other artists, and they also try to exhibit / advertise their works in SNS. It was found that the development of SNS supported the hand-made craft market, which have physical and non-physical places on the internet, crossing the process of materials procurement, production of handcrafts, and selling of their works. 2) Types of hobby handmade craft market participants and their characters Participants who started making their works and joined the handmade craft market could be classified into six types, and characters of each types are revealed, based on their motivations, sex, using of interest, working environment, school, occupation and so on. There are diverse participants, one purely enjoys making their works, while another one tries to sell their works, and some have activities for exhibitions and exchanges. It was found that these diverse participants with different purposes were gathered and formed a hand-made craft market. 3) Space and social function of the places for making handcrafts, case study of shared studios In the chapter 5, we targeted at the “share studio”, which is a new working model for handmade crafts. The share studio is a space that can be flexibly changed in layout according to the purpose of use, such as the installation of wheeled equipment, and it has the features that they are located in convenient places close to the station. We had investigation at three shared studios in Tokyo. They are not only providing a place for production but also a system of support for manufacturing of both hobbies and main businesses, while they are also providing a place for exchange of artists and information. They also have a role of expanding the base of monozukuri. They are widely used as a place of production for people who are hard to make their works in their own houses. These shared studios are established as a place to support "making things by yourself that is not by mass production".

Physical properties of nonwoven and woven felted fabrics

PurposeThe use of nonwoven fabrics in garment has been, up to now, purely functional and hidden from view. In fact, their uses have been limited to garment interlining in the apparel industry. Felted structures from wool have been limited to the craft market for the production of art and craft objects of decoration. This paper aims to compare the mechanical and thermo-physical comfort properties of a woven wool, a felted wool fabric, a felted wool/polyester and two non-woven synthetic fabrics for apparel use.Design/methodology/approachFabric samples were sourced locally. Five fabric samples were selected: one woolen woven, one felted woven, one polyester/wool non-woven and two non-woven synthetic fabrics. The wool fabric was felted by mechanical action using the Wascator FOM 71P machine. All fabric samples were conditioned before they were tested for their mechanical and thermal comfort properties as per standard test methods.FindingsThe comparative study of the mechanical and thermal properties of the five fabric samples have been successfully investigated as textile materials for commercial garments. In terms of fabric stiffness, drape and handle, the two non-woven synthetic fabrics were, in general, poorer than the woven wool and the felted woven wool fabrics. The synthetic non-woven fabrics also performed poorly in terms of serviceability. But it was found that the nonwoven synthetic fabrics were best suited when thermal insulation is required and were found to be better than the woven felted wool fabric of comparative weight per unit area.Originality/valueThe value of this study is that it demonstrates the scope of felted woolen structures and other synthetic nonwovens fabrics as usable materials, in part or in full, in the development of apparel for winter wear especially in cold environments and where aesthetic appeal is secondary.