Evolving an ICT Platform for a Traditional Industry: Transforming Artisans into Entrepreneurs B. Bowonder, S. Sadhulla and Akshay Jain Abstract Leather industry is a traditional industry. Kolhapuri is a traditional chappal manufactured through a manual process. This is a case study of the manner in which the design process, manufacturing process and marketing was reengineered using ICT interventions. Use of ICT helped this industry to reposition itself. The main reason for the early adoption and rapid diffusion of the new technology has been the systematic training carried out by Central Leather Research Institute for imparting skills in the local craftsman using two people from the same community. The income of craftsman increased considerably after the adoption of ICT for designing and market access. The change process was navigated and implemented in an evolutionary manner. This helped the change process to occur rapidly. Keywords ICT, leather chappals, computer aided design, internet for market access, traditional industry Biographical Notes Dr. B. Bowonder is a Dean, Tata Management Training Centre, No.1, Mangaldas Road, PUNE – 411 001, India, Tel: 91-20-6120141, E-Mail:
[email protected] Dr. S. Sadulla is a Scientist ‘F’ Science Secretary & Head, Chord, his contact address is Central Leather Research Institute, Adyar, Chennai – 600 020. E-mail:
[email protected] Mr. Akshay Jain is a Research Associate at Administrative Staff College of India, Centre for Energy, Environment & Technology, his contact address is 26, Gulmohar Extension, Indore – 452 001 Madhya Pradesh. INDIA, E-mail:
[email protected] Kolhapuri Chappal Introduction Leather Industry occupies a place of prominence in the Indian economy in view of its massive potential for employment, growth and exports.