With the rapid increase of small and medium-sized enterprises scattered all across the globe, artisan made goods are fast becoming a common commodity. These artisan goods are usually handcrafted and constructed by skilled artisans. However, this is not to say that all artisan products are handcrafted. Modern technology has also given birth to an entirely new set of artisan goods. These artisan-made goods can be produced at faster rates and with greater ease than traditional craftsmen’s products.
Modern machines are now artisan made goods. The industrialization has brought forth many possibilities. One such area where the technology of production has made major advances is in artisan-made goods. Machines have now replaced artisans who used to build the items to be manufactured. Instead of employing hundreds of people, modern factories can now employ thousands of people to produce clothes, footwear, furniture, electronics, and much more.
However, along with the abundance of these products have come ethical issues surrounding them. Some of these ethical questions revolve around the manipulation of nature and the disregard for human dignity. Artisan products have been considered ‘abandoned goods’, and it is not uncommon for these products to be left on the side of the road because they are unsalable or do not meet the market demand. The fate of these artisan-made goods then becomes doubtful. There have even been debates about whether or not selling such items is an ethical act.
Today, however, there are still craftsmen and artisans who produce ethical and quality products. In fact, they have developed their craft even further and have made ethical craftsmanship a science. These artisans have developed systems that can produce quality goods at very efficient speeds, and these instruments employ only a few workers instead of the hundreds required by the earlier craftsmen.
One of the biggest problems facing ethical manufacturing practices in the 21st century is the impact that automation has had upon the labor force. Many artisans have lost their jobs because of this; it has reduced the purchasing power of the working class. It has also diminished the importance of the community within the society, as smaller units are unable to provide the level of services that helped the larger ones survive and thrive. However, there are still many small artisan groups that produce unique and well-made goods, and they tend to remain afloat in an economy where large corporations are struggling. These artisan entrepreneurs tend to be highly skillful, creative, and innovative, and they tend to be at the forefront of social issues.
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