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The Impact of Globalization on Small Scale Artisans in Azrou, Morocco

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The Impact of Globalization on Small Scale Artisans in Azrou, Morocco An Interactive Qualifying Project Submitted to the Faculty of WORCESTER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE In conjunction with Al-Akhawayn University In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Bachelor of Science By ____________________________ Wadii Bellamine _______________________________ Marouane Afiri Date: January 08, 2007 Approved: _________________________________ Professor Bland Addison, Major Advisor _________________________________ Professor Tahar El-Korchi, Co-Advisor Abstract Faced with the impact of globalization upon business productivity and the consumer’s expectations and demands in current-day Morocco, Moroccan small scale artisans are struggling to compete and earn income to survive. This new phenomenon is due to a smaller interest in the handicraft sector both by the state and by the young consumers, whereas until today, the most basic infrastructural needs for successful business such as affordable transportation and affordable means of publicity are absent in remote villages such as Azrou. The reduced interest in the handicraft sector from the upcoming generation is also a result of globalization and threatens to lead this sector to extinction. Thankfully, the state has come to realize these emerging phenomena and has began an effort to improve the handicraft sector and keep it alive since this last has represented a major source of income for Morocco in the past. Our general approach was to study the small scale artisans specifically in Azrou in order to acquire a deep understanding of the problem, and through studied successful cases, propose solutions and recommendations for the artisans in Azrou as an alternative to the state’s strategy for the improvement of the artisanal sector in Morocco. The results of our research show that there are ways for the small-scale artisans to improve their businesses with the means they currently have, and these include the use of e-commerce, taking advantage of ethical tourism to publicize and help their businesses grow. The implementation of these recommended solutions will surely aid these artisans, but it is the task of the state to improve or develop the infrastructure needed to ease access to e-commerce and the tourist sector, ultimately ensuring the long-term prosperity of the small-scale artisan business and, ultimately, their quality of life. Acknowledgements We would like to address our special thanks and gratitude to all those that made this research paper possible and helped us along the way. First, our acknowledgements go to Prof. Bland Addison for undertaking the tedious task of accompanying us to our research destinations, helping us with interviews and contacts, overseeing our activities, and making excellent suggestions for editing this paper. We would also like to thank Prof. Tahar El-Korchi for proposing this IQP idea to us, keeping track of our progress, helping us find contacts, and making remarkable suggestions for re-editing. We must not forget to also display our gratitude to Hoceine Zahri, who gave us insightful information about the Artisanat of Azrou, the Ministry of Culture’s objectives and past activities, and about the handicraft industry in general. Our acknowledgements also go to Sharon Keld, a Peace Corps Volunteer who did not hesitate to show us around town, take us to key people to meet, and inform us about the city of Azrou, the Artisanat, and what her mission is with the Peace Corps. Thanks also go to Peace Corps Volunteer Katherine Dyne who informed us about artisans in the surrounding regions of Azrou as well as information about how the Peace Corps have been helping these artisans. Youssef Ouahmane, the stone carver, Mohammed Abdeljabbar, the wood carver, Said, the metal carver, Mohammed, the other wood carver, and Fatima, the president of the women’s weaving cooperative, are all people that were very kind and welcoming to us, and were not reluctant to share with us their most troublesome concerns. Our utmost gratitude goes to all of you. Last but not least, we can’t forget Lee Wilbur, the Peace Corps Volunteer who worked in the Azrou Artisanat in the past, and whom was the primary contact who pointed us to most of the people we met in Azrou and Ifrane. Finally, we would like to thank all the merchants in the Azrou bazaar, the Azrou souk , and Fez, who also aided us greatly with our research and were very kind. Once again, we are grateful that all of these people made our experience doing this IQP pleasant and enjoyable. Thank you. Table of Contents Abstract .................................................................... 2 Acknowledgements .................................................. 3 Table of Contents .................................................... 4 List of Figures .......................................................... 7 List of Tables ........................................................... 8 Definitions ................................................................ 9 Executive Summary .............................................. 10 1. Introduction ....................................................... 22 2. Globalization in Morocco ................................. 23 2.1. The Temporary Crises ........................................................................................ 24 2.2. Poverty and Inequality ....................................................................................... 25 2.3. The Integration of Women Into Development ................................................. 26 2.4. Education and Literacy ...................................................................................... 27 2.5. Is Morocco ready for Globalization? ................................................................ 28 3. Morocco: Background ...................................... 30 3.1. History: The Search for prosperity after Colonialism ..................................... 30 3.2. Moroccan Government ....................................................................................... 31 3.2.1. The “Gouvernement d'Alternance": .......................................................... 31 3.3. International Politics ........................................................................................... 31 3.3.1. Morocco/Algeria Crisis: ............................................................................... 32 3.4. ;ational Politics .................................................................................................. 32 3.4.1. Democracy in Morocco: ............................................................................... 32 3.4.2. The Rural World in Morocco: ..................................................................... 33 3.5. Moroccan Culture: ............................................................................................... 33 3.6. Economy ................................................................................................................ 35 3.6.1. Tourism: ........................................................................................................ 35 3.6.2 . Agriculture in Morocco: .............................................................................. 36 3.6.3. Fishing in Morocco: ..................................................................................... 37 3.6.4. Textile Sector in Morocco: .......................................................................... 37 3.6.5. The Moroccan Craft Industry in Danger .................................................. 39 3.7. Azrou: .................................................................................................................... 41 3.7.1. Artisanal Center of Azrou: ......................................................................... 42 3.8. Background Conclusion ...................................................................................... 46 4. The Problem ...................................................... 51 4.1. Problems in Azrou and ;eighboring Regions ................................................... 51 4.1.1 Problems described by Youssef the stone carver: ....................................... 52 4.1.2 Problems described by Said the metal worker: .......................................... 56 4.1.3. Problems described by Hoceine Zahri, the President of the Artisanat .... 59 4.1.4. Problems described by PCV Katherine Dyne: .......................................... 61 4.2. General Problems in Moroccan Artisanal Production .................................... 63 4.2.1. The future of Artisanat is uncertain ........................................................... 63 4.2.2. The deterioration of quality ........................................................................ 65 Conclusion: ….. ........................................................................................................ 67 5. Strategy of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism .................................................................. 68 5.1. The Ministry’s strategy for 2015 ........................................................................ 68 6. Case Studies ....................................................... 80 6.1. Case study: E-commerce in Morocco ................................................................ 80 Case 1: Microchoix.ma ........................................................................................... 80 Case 2: Kasbahouse.com .......................................................................................
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