A Study of Quality Management in Indian Handicraft Units

Lack of quality control and quality management appear to be the major stumbling blocks being faced by domestic cottage units in a globalized marketplace. Markets for handicrafts products being manufactured in these cottage units are highly competitive in a business environment that is increasingly complex and uncertain. This study attempts to analyse issues related to quality management in selected handcrafted artware and giftware industries in India. It posits a viable model of quality-oriented management for the handicraft industry based on a comprehensive analysis of primary data collected on dominant variables from 106 handicraft cottage and small-scale units in selected pockets in northern India. The quality parameters identified in this model are those which have been found to be crucial for bridging the gap between current performance levels and the projected potential of Indian handicrafts industry in international markets. This is evidenced by the empirical data tested with the help of a t-test in paired comparison of two parameters at a time, and the level of each parameter is compared across three different handicraft manufacturing pockets with the help of ANOVA.