Title: Regaining competitiveness using an ICT platform in a traditional industry: adoption of computer aided design for carpet weaving

Authors: B. Bowonder, J. Swamy, Nrupesh Mastakar

Addresses: Tata Management Training Centre, No. 1, Mangaldas Road, Pune 411 001, India. ' Administrative Staff College of India, Bella Vista, Hyderabad 500 082, India. ' Tata Management Training Centre, No. 1, Mangaldas Road, Pune 411 001, India

Abstract: The carpet industry is one of the most rapidly growing traditional industries in India. This is a handicraft and cottage industry that provides jobs right on the doorstep of more than 100,000 workers, belonging to economically backward class of society. In the global carpet scenerio, the market share of Indian carpets is expanding rapidly. Jaipur and its adjacent districts are the major manufacturing clusters in Rajasthan that share a substantial part (15%) of total carpet manufacturing from India. In fact Rajasthan carpets industry is more quality sensitive hence designs are one of the critical elements of competitiveness. Rajasthan carpet Industry grew till 1995, but saturation in designs and increasing cost made it difficult to compete. Results of technology implementation were remarkable in terms of revenue and other operational aspects. In a short period of four years, revenue grew more than five fold. Enhancing the competitiveness has been the major positive effect of ICT adoption in the Rajasthan carpet industry. Both the software creator and the government agencies played a catalysing role in supporting the technology adoption process

Keywords: ICT adoption; competitiveness; traditional industry; carpet weaving; computer aided design; CAD; technology adoption; information technology; communications; India; developing countries; carpet manufacturing; carpet industry; carpet design.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSTM.2005.007417

International Journal of Services Technology and Management, 2005 Vol.6 No.3/4/5, pp.402 - 415

Published online: 18 Jul 2005 *

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