Dr. Maheshkumar Sankar

This study investigates the interest in artisan skills among management graduates in India (Bharat), with a focus on the integration of these skills into contemporary management education and professional practice. As global business paradigms increasingly emphasise sustainable, indigenous, and culturally embedded methods of production, artisan skills represent a critical interface between cultural heritage and entrepreneurial opportunity. The research explores how management graduates across Indian states perceive artisan skills, their motivation to acquire these competencies, and the degree to which such skills may augment employability, particularly in tourism, handicraft enterprises, and sustainable development. Employing a mixed method research design, the study administered a validated 30-item questionnaire to 412 management graduates across five Indian states, supplemented by qualitative interviews with 24 respondents. Statistical analyses using Jamovi 2.3 included descriptive statistics, reliability analysis (Cronbach alpha), exploratory factor analysis, one-way ANOVA, chi-square tests, and multiple regression analysis. The findings reveal a statistically significant interest among management graduates in artisan skills, while also identifying a substantial gap in formal curricula that incorporate these competencies. Graduates recognise artisan skills as instrumental in fostering innovation, social entrepreneurship, and support for local economies. Institutional support and structured practical exposure remain the primary challenges. The study underscores the imperative for management institutions to integrate artisan skill modules within their curricula, thereby strengthening graduates capabilities and contributing to the preservation of India rich cultural heritage.