Dino Rahmat Hidayat, Lukman Hakim

Bridging Tradition and Technology: A Sociotechnical Perspective on Digitalising the Kasongan Pottery Industry

Introduction

Bridging tradition and technology: a sociotechnical perspective on digitalising the kasongan pottery industry. Explore sociotechnical challenges in digitalizing Kasongan pottery, including poor digital literacy and generational gaps. The study emphasizes collaborative solutions for industry survival and market reach.

Abstract

The fast growth of digital technology in Indonesia, with an estimated 221.6 million internet users (APJII, 2024), has pushed many business sectors to employ digital media to boost competitiveness and market reach. One of the businesses affected is the Kasongan pottery industry, which is noted for producing ceramics of significant cultural and artistic significance. This study will look into the notion of digitalisation management and the influence of digital adaption on ceramic entrepreneurs in Kasongan. This study employs a qualitative method using a case study methodology, which includes observation and in-depth interviews with business players. The study's findings suggest that Kasongan pottery entrepreneurs continue to experience challenges in embracing digital technologies. The key barriers are the delayed regeneration of business actors and poor digital literacy, which results in restricted usage of digital platforms for marketing and company administration. Generational transitions also result in disparities in mindsets and levels of technological adaptability, complicating conventional enterprises' digitalisation processes. The lack of awareness of digital marketing methods also poses a problem to boosting the industry's competitiveness. As a result, the government, universities, and the business community must work together to enhance digital literacy and expedite the adoption of technology in the Kasongan pottery sector in order for it to survive and thrive in the digital age. The key barriers are the delayed regeneration of business actors and poor digital literacy, which results in restricted usage of digital platforms for marketing and company administration. Generational transitions also result in disparities in mindsets and levels of technological adaptability, complicating conventional enterprises' digitalisation processes. As a result, the government, universities, and the business community must work together to enhance digital literacy and expedite the adoption of technology in the Kasongan pottery sector in order for it to survive and thrive in the digital age.

Review

This study tackles a highly relevant and timely topic, exploring the complexities of digitalizing a traditional craft industry within the burgeoning digital landscape of Indonesia. The "Bridging Tradition and Technology" title effectively encapsulates the core tension, and the stated "sociotechnical perspective" promises a nuanced analysis, which is crucial for understanding such transformations. The qualitative case study methodology, involving observation and in-depth interviews, is well-suited to uncover the specific challenges faced by Kasongan pottery entrepreneurs. The identification of key barriers, such as delayed business actor regeneration, poor digital literacy, and generational disparities, provides a foundational understanding of the impediments to digital adoption, offering valuable insights for stakeholders seeking to support such industries. While the abstract effectively highlights critical barriers, there are areas for enhancement in its articulation and the depth of its reported findings. A notable issue is the significant repetition of the concluding sentences, which should be edited for conciseness and clarity. Furthermore, while the abstract mentions a "sociotechnical perspective," the findings primarily list individual and social barriers rather than explicitly detailing the intricate interplay between the social structures, cultural practices, and technological adoption within the Kasongan context. Greater emphasis could be placed on how the *systems* of tradition and technology interact, beyond simply identifying resistance. For instance, what specific aspects of "delayed regeneration" contribute to "poor digital literacy," and how do these manifest uniquely within the Kasongan industry beyond general observations? To further strengthen the paper, future iterations or the full manuscript should elaborate on the specific nuances of these challenges within the Kasongan context. The recommendations for collaborative efforts between government, universities, and the business community are sound, but the abstract could hint at more specific, actionable strategies tailored to the Kasongan industry's unique sociotechnical landscape. Exploring successful pockets of digital adoption within similar traditional industries, or specific types of digital literacy programs that have proven effective for older generations, could provide more concrete directions. Ultimately, by addressing these points, the research has the potential to offer a robust framework for understanding and fostering sustainable digitalization in culturally rich, traditional industries, contributing significantly to both academic discourse and practical policy-making.

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