Social innovation in the artisanal sector of Queretaro

Abstract

The artisan sector represents both a rich cultural heritage and a valuable and an area of ​​opportunity for the development of society. In addition, it generates employment, an aspect that becomes an opportunity for entrepreneurship; However, currently there is a problem regarding the forgetfulness of the knowledge and worldview of the artisan, since there are fewer and fewer people who are interested in continuing with the trade and transmitting the knowledge that has been inherited from generation to generation. In this context, the goal of the research is to propose an approximation of a social innovation management model based on the transfer of knowledge that contributes to the rescue of the collective memory of the artisan sector. It is a research with a qualitative approach, techniques such as snowball, semi-structured interviews and questionnaires are applied. For this purpose, Queretaro artisan workshops from the municipalities of Colón, Tequisquiapan, Ezequiel Montes and Amealco were selected.

As part of the findings, it is noted that artisans would like to continue with their trade, but they identify little interest from the new generations to learn or dedicate themselves to this activity. On the other hand, they are interested in innovation, some of them apply their creativity to their products (colors, types, raw materials), but not to how to transmit their knowledge. There are workshops where the people who work are no longer just family members (direct) but have integrated people from their locality so that the craft is not lost.