Traditional knowledge and social innovation in Queretaro artisan sector

Abstract

The aim of this article was to analyze the transmission of traditional knowledge and its link to social innovation, focusing on how this transmission is carried out in artisan workshops in the municipalities of Querétaro, Mexico. The research approach was qualitative, employing interviews in 12 workshops. These workshops were selected based on three criteria: 1) that they sold their crafts; 2) that they accepted tours or visits to their workplaces; and 3) that they had received some form of recognition (either for the artisan or their crafts). Familiarization visits were also conducted, and both participant and non-participant observation were used. In this context, it was identified that, for the preservation of artisanal knowledge, other methods of transmitting this knowledge have been integrated. While it is primarily transmitted from generation to generation, workshops have incorporated options such as opening learning and teaching schools, and apprentices are considered part of the community (even if they do not belong to artisan families). Based on the above, the characteristics associated with social innovation were co-creation, social empowerment, agency, and the creation of learning spaces. These aspects fostered innovation in the areas of product, process, marketing, and management. Furthermore, they promoted a shared worldview, the transmission of knowledge (with an emphasis on tacit and traditional knowledge), and public policies regarding the artisan sector.