It's not all perfection at Paradise Retail: HR problems surface in the Indian hand-loom industry

Abstract

Purpose

Observes a number of human-resource management problems in the Indian hand-loom industry.

Design/methodology/approach

Considers what gave rise to the problems and considers how they may be solved.

Findings

Highlights the need to: attract talented designers with the right values and alignment to the company vision; refine training strategies to make them need-based and relevant; attract the right artisans; enhance productivity levels; standardize pricing and quality of products; and preserve art and craft to sustain the business.

Practical implications

Presents a number of review questions. In what way can a firm like Paradise differ from other retailers? Define some realistic strategies to combat the problems of Paradise Retail. Which will be cost-effective? What can be gauged about the organizational culture of Paradise Retail? What are its values?

Originality/value

Deals with some of the problems of poorly paid workers in a traditional industry in a developing country.

Citation

Joshi, G. and Pande, S. (2014), "It's not all perfection at Paradise Retail: HR problems surface in the Indian hand-loom industry", Human Resource Management International Digest, Vol. 22 No. 1, pp. 26-28. https://doi.org/10.1108/HRMID-01-2014-0010