Digital transformation and innovation in traditional business sectors[Transformation numérique et innovation dans les secteurs traditionnels d'activité]

The crafts sector is emblematic of traditional activities deeply rooted in their local communities, where work practices have historically relied on manual skills, the transmission of techniques, and small-scale organizational structures. However, in recent years, the increasing adoption of digital technologies has profoundly challenged the methods of production, cooperation, and creation within these organizations. This paper adopts a critical approach to digitalization and aims to address the following question: how does the adoption of digital technology transform the work of craftspeople? Using a territorial perspective, this research is based on a qualitative study conducted in the village of Pernes-les-Fontaines, renowned for its high concentration of artists and craftspeople. The methodological approach is based on long-term participant observation and semi-structured interviews conducted with artists and craftspeople, allowing us to understand their actual practices, their perceptions of digital technology, and the tensions they experience on a daily basis.