Introduction: Indigenous knowledge plays a vital role in preserving cultural identity, maintaining traditional livelihoods, and sustaining the cultural heritage of rural communities. Women engaged in traditional handicrafts represent important custodians of this knowledge, contributing significantly to its preservation, transmission, and intergenerational continuity. In South Khorasan Province, Iran, handicrafts such as carpet weaving, textile production, and basketry are deeply rooted in local culture and are closely associated with women’s indigenous knowledge and traditional practices. However, the continuity and sustainability of this knowledge are increasingly challenged by modernization, rural-to-urban migration, declining interest among younger generations, and limited institutional support. Against this background, the present study investigates the barriers to and facilitators of indigenous knowledge management among women engaged in traditional handicrafts in Birjand County, South Khorasan Province, Iran.
Methods: This study employed an applied qualitative research design using a case study approach and thematic analysis. A qualitative case study was considered appropriate given the tacit, experiential, and socially embedded nature of indigenous knowledge, which necessitates an in-depth examination within its authentic cultural and social context. The participants were women in Birjand County with extensive indigenous knowledge and substantial experience in traditional handicrafts. Purposive criterion-based sampling was employed to identify participants who possessed relevant knowledge and experience. The inclusion criteria were: being an Indigenous resident of the study area, having at least 15 years of experience in traditional handicrafts, being recognized by the local community as knowledgeable in the relevant craft practices, and being willing to participate in the study.  Data were collected through semi-structured, in-depth interviews. The interview protocol focused on participants’ experiences and practices related to the acquisition, transmission, preservation, sharing, and development of indigenous handicraft knowledge. Sampling continued until theoretical saturation was achieved, resulting in a final sample of 15 participants whose interviews were included in the analysis. To enhance the trustworthiness of the findings, pilot interviews, member checking, verbatim transcription, and detailed field notes were employed. The interview data were analyzed using thematic analysis. To assess intercoder agreement, Cohen’s kappa coefficient was calculated, yielding a value of 0.84, which indicates a high level of agreement between the coders.
Findings: The findings revealed that indigenous knowledge management among women engaged in traditional handicrafts in South Khorasan Province is shaped by a complex interplay of individual, social, cultural, economic, institutional, and technological factors. Several barriers to the preservation and transmission of indigenous knowledge were identified, including limited access to information resources, low levels of literacy and digital literacy, inadequate educational infrastructure, insufficient motivation to acquire and transmit knowledge, limited opportunities for formal training, weak documentation practices, and inadequate institutional support. The findings further indicated that the transmission of indigenous handicraft knowledge relies predominantly on oral communication, observation, and experiential learning rather than on systematic documentation and formal knowledge-management mechanisms. Social and cultural transformations were also found to undermine intergenerational knowledge transmission. Younger generations showed declining interest in traditional handicrafts, largely due to changing lifestyles, the appeal of alternative and modern occupations, and the declining economic value of handicraft production. Economic constraints—including limited access to markets, low profitability, high production costs, and insufficient governmental support—further threatened the sustainability of indigenous handicraft knowledge and practices. Weak marketing systems, inadequate infrastructure, and the increasing availability of machine-made products were additional factors contributing to the gradual decline of traditional handicrafts. Despite these challenges, the study identified several facilitating factors that can support the preservation and continuity of indigenous knowledge. Practical and intergenerational learning, family-based knowledge transmission, community participation, social networks, and collaborative learning environments were found to facilitate the continuity and dissemination of indigenous handicraft knowledge. Moreover, institutional interventions—including educational workshops, exhibitions, financial support, and market-development initiatives—were perceived as important mechanisms for strengthening the sustainability and continued transmission of this knowledge.
Discussion and Conclusion: The study demonstrates that indigenous knowledge management among women engaged in traditional handicrafts extends beyond the preservation of traditional skills and constitutes a multidimensional social and cultural process shaped by broader structural, economic, institutional, and technological conditions. The findings confirm that indigenous handicraft knowledge remains predominantly tacit and experience-based, with its acquisition, transmission, and preservation largely dependent on interpersonal relationships, community networks, and local cultural contexts. Consequently, the weakening of traditional social structures, declining intergenerational engagement, and limited institutional support place this knowledge at considerable risk of erosion and discontinuity. The findings further suggest that the sustainability of indigenous knowledge requires integrated support systems that simultaneously address cultural, educational, economic, technological, and policy dimensions. Enhancing digital literacy, expanding access to educational and informational resources, strengthening local and regional markets, fostering institutional collaboration, and establishing systematic mechanisms for documenting and preserving indigenous knowledge are therefore essential. In addition, initiatives aimed at engaging younger generations in traditional handicrafts through educational programs, community-based activities, cultural events, and economically viable opportunities may contribute to strengthening intergenerational knowledge transmission and ensuring the long-term continuity of indigenous cultural heritage. Overall, this study contributes to the growing body of literature on indigenous knowledge management by providing an in-depth examination of women-centered handicraft communities in South Khorasan Province, Iran. By highlighting the barriers and facilitating factors that shape the preservation, transmission, and sustainability of indigenous handicraft knowledge, the study offers both theoretical and practical insights. The findings may inform policymakers, cultural and heritage organizations, libraries, and educational institutions in developing context-sensitive strategies for documenting, preserving, transmitting, and revitalizing indigenous knowledge. Moreover, strengthening support for women artisans may contribute not only to the preservation of intangible cultural heritage but also to their socio-economic empowerment and the sustainable development of rural communities.
Originality: This study advances the literature on indigenous knowledge management by examining women-centered handicraft communities in South Khorasan, Iran. It identifies the multidimensional barriers and facilitating factors that shape the preservation, transmission, and sustainability of indigenous knowledge, while providing culturally grounded insights to inform knowledge-preservation strategies, strengthen intergenerational knowledge transfer, and support evidence-informed policy development.