Product development training impact on artisan capabilities and sustainable business success

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to determine how product development training affected the capabilities of artisans and impacted their groups overall internal constraints and business success. In addition to this, external constraints and artisan awareness of social and environmental responsibility were taken into consideration to understand the context influencing artisan work and potential for long term business sustainability. ☐ This study utilized a multiple case study design with embedded units of analysis. Five case studies were conducted with artisan groups and their NGO partners during a 10-day field study in Guatemala. Interviews lasted between one and three hours and an additional three interviews were conducted with three other NGOs, a trainer, and a board member of the main export organization in Guatemala. ☐ The study found that product development training did have an impact on artisan capabilities. But having a strong NGO partner that trained for a market opportunity or a needed production capacity increase had as much of an impact, if not more, on artisan capabilities and also on artisan businesses. NGOs that “compassion train,” or trained without a market opportunity or production need, did not have a positive impact on the businesses. Additionally, the study found that some of the NGOs used imported raw materials to an extent that had not been found in past literature. The NGOs used the imported materials to differentiate their products from what was found in the local markets and to increase the quality of their products. Lastly, it was found that some of the artisans did have an awareness of social and environmental sustainability, understanding that they could not sell products that they had not personally created to the NGOs and wondering what would happen when the grasses they used for the baskets ran out. Some others did not have an understanding, having their children weave on occasion.