Abstract:
Traditional craft industries throughout Sri Lanka face sustainability challenges,
including a decline in the prominence of the craft industry, sourcing difficulties
for raw materials, a dwindling supply of young artisans, and inconsistent
awareness of technological tools. The theory of collaborative advantage (TCA)
principles and strategies within Sri Lankan craft manufacturing will be
evaluated for their potential to enhance heritage preservation while optimizing
resource utilization and creating market opportunities in sustainable global
business operations. Semi-structured interviews were administered to artisans
in crucial areas for qualitative research analysis. The analysis of twelve themes
from interviewed data included common aims, work processes, communication,
and resource constraints using MAXQDA software for coding and thematic
analysis. Research outcomes identify TCA solutions for digital platforms, skills
development initiatives, and strategic marketplace connections that drive
beneficial sustainability improvements. Supply chain members can enhance
their market accessibility through collaborative marketing efforts, whereas
shared resources decrease pricing to increase profitability. Digital tools enable
streamlined communication and management within the supply chain
framework. The results show that TCA allows sustainable development of the
craft industry through effective cultural coordination alongside environmental
and economic targets. The generated outcome will provide industry leaders and
policymakers with better methods to align theoretical frameworks with practical
sustainability strategies in transitioning global economy towards sustainability.
