Navigating digital transformation in cultural heritage crafts: a hybrid socio-technical framework for Minangkabau wood carving

Abstract

Cultural heritage crafts in a digital world are often characterized by the tension between technological effectiveness and the preservation of cultural identity and values. Despite growing interest in digital manufacturing technologies, limited empirical evidence exists regarding how production tasks can be allocated between automation and manual craftsmanship while maintaining both efficiency and cultural authenticity. This study explores such tensions in the context of Minangkabau wood carving, a traditional craft facing pressure from market forces, declining apprentice training, and increasing demands for scalability. The objective was to investigate how digital manufacturing tools could be integrated into this existing cultural practice without compromising its authenticity. A sequential explanatory mixed-methods approach was employed, combining socio-cultural data from surveys and interviews with 17 master craftsmen, and a technical comparison of hand-carving, CNC-based V-carving, and 3D carving. Results indicated that artisans strongly resisted full automation but were conditionally open to hybrid manufacturing systems aligned with cultural values. Technically, CNC V-carving reduced fabrication time by 66–82% and costs by up to 43%, particularly in the simple patterning phase. However, hand-carving was consistently judged superior in fine detail, surface characteristics, and perceived cultural authenticity. This study synthesizes these findings into a stage-based hybrid socio-technical production model, wherein digital tools are employed for repetitive and scalable tasks, while human craftsmanship remains central to artistic refinement and cultural expression. The findings provide empirical support for task allocation decisions in heritage-based manufacturing systems and identify cultural fit as a major determinant of perceived usefulness in digital transformation. While the study offers valuable insights, its focus on a specific cultural context and relatively small sample suggests caution in broader generalization.