BUFT Journal of Business and Economics

Exploring Traditional Handloom Value Chain and Its Sustainability Constraints in Bangladesh: A Qualitative Study on Tangail Handloom Industries

Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP), Dhaka, Bangladesh
Email: promee.tp@gmail.com

Abstract

Purpose: In this paper, we tried to explore the traditional handloom value chain andits constraints which are threatening the sustainability of this sector in Bangladesh.Methodology: The study followed phenomenological and grounded theoryapproaches of qualitative research. Data has been collected through in-directobservations, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions. Thematic analysistechnique has been adopted to analyze data.Findings: The traditional handloom value chain operates through the activities ofraw materials suppliers, dyers, designers, weavers, local marketers, wholesalers,and retailers. Competition with power loom products, lack of financial assistance,long producing hours, high price, and changes in taste and normative patterns of theconsumers are identified as the major threats to the sustainability of this sector.Limitations: This study couldn’t include all the handloom industry areas andpersonals of the country. To get more depth insight, it has focused on qualitativemethods of investigation. But quantitative insight on the same problem could haveprovided a wider picture.Practical Implications: At present, approximately 316,315 peoples are directlyearning their livelihoods from this sector. The findings and recommendations of thisstudy will be helpful to understand and eradicate the current constraints of the valuechain of this sector.Originality: Series of quantitative studies has taken place on handloom industriesin South-Asian countries. But very little is known about the traditional handloomvalue chain and problems in the context of Bangladesh. This paper has addressed thegap by exploring the traditional handloom value chain and its constraints based onprimary qualitative dat