Dynamics of Industrial Revolution 4.0: Digital Technology Transformation and Cultural Evolution –
Wulandari et al (eds)
© 2021 The Author(s), ISBN 978-1-032-04451-4
The innovation application on Batik craft products in the New Normal
Era in Indonesia: Does it have an impact?
F. Ciptandi & M.S. Ramadhan
Telkom University, Bandung, Indonesia
ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study is to find out whether the new normal era set by the
Indonesian government has an impact on efforts to apply innovation in handicraft products to batik
craftsmen. The traditional batik industry in Tuban, East Java was chosen as an example of a case
because it is considered to represent other traditional batik industries in Java Island. In the previous
study, the strategy of applying the innovation for batik has been carried out successfully using
the diffusion of the innovation theory approach by providing an experimental assignment of the
innovation application. This study was conducted by analyzing the factors considered as a source
of inhibiting the transfer of innovation and its impact using a combination of the design thinking
approach and diffusion of innovation ideas. This is useful as one of the solutions today to prepare
for the continuation of innovation in the midst of the post-COVID-19 pandemic.
Keywords: innovation, batik, craft, COVID-19
1 INTRODUCTION
COVID-19 positive patients in Indonesia continue to increase. Responding to this condition, the
Indonesian government has implemented several policies to anticipate the wider spread of the virus,
ranging from physical distancing, a temporary ban on entry into Indonesia, to large-scale social
restrictions.
It was only on May 28, 2020 that the Central Government through the Minister of National
Development Planning/Head of Bappenas, in a joint press conference with the Foreign Minister
as well as the Task Force Team of experts handling COVID-19, presented the Productive and Safe
Community Protocol COVID-19 designed to create a new normal to coexist with COVID-19 (Hadi
& Supardi 2020). It also targeted several economic activities that were previously stopped and
will begin to be reactivated gradually by following the health protocol requirements. However, this
condition still has a significant impact on various economic sectors, including the batik handicraft
sector.
Since the implementation of the new normal era in Indonesia, the batik handicraft industry sector
can no longer stand by the old patterns that have become a comfort zone. In addition to taking
part in thinking about practical steps according to health protocols to reduce the spread of the
COVID-19 virus, efforts to innovate quickly and precisely in shaping the craftsmen’s new behavior
in order to compete and survive also need to be considered (Ciptandi 2020).
Innovations, according to this new vision, have been applied in the traditional batik handicraft
industry in Kerek District, Tuban Regency, East Java, which was chosen as an example of a case
representing other traditional batik industries on Java Island, Indonesia. In 2018, the strategy
of applying innovations in batik handicraft products in Tuban was carried out in the conditions
before the COVID-19 pandemic and had obtained results, namely: (1) development of the visual
appearance of Tuban batik patterns; (2) application of Tuban batik to the appropriate fashion
products; and (3) improvement of creativity and the ability to adapt innovations for batik craftsmen.
Based on this study, it has been concluded that the batik handicraft industry in Tuban has the ability
152
DOI 10.1201/9781003193241-28
Wulandari et al (eds)
© 2021 The Author(s), ISBN 978-1-032-04451-4
The innovation application on Batik craft products in the New Normal
Era in Indonesia: Does it have an impact?
F. Ciptandi & M.S. Ramadhan
Telkom University, Bandung, Indonesia
ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study is to find out whether the new normal era set by the
Indonesian government has an impact on efforts to apply innovation in handicraft products to batik
craftsmen. The traditional batik industry in Tuban, East Java was chosen as an example of a case
because it is considered to represent other traditional batik industries in Java Island. In the previous
study, the strategy of applying the innovation for batik has been carried out successfully using
the diffusion of the innovation theory approach by providing an experimental assignment of the
innovation application. This study was conducted by analyzing the factors considered as a source
of inhibiting the transfer of innovation and its impact using a combination of the design thinking
approach and diffusion of innovation ideas. This is useful as one of the solutions today to prepare
for the continuation of innovation in the midst of the post-COVID-19 pandemic.
Keywords: innovation, batik, craft, COVID-19
1 INTRODUCTION
COVID-19 positive patients in Indonesia continue to increase. Responding to this condition, the
Indonesian government has implemented several policies to anticipate the wider spread of the virus,
ranging from physical distancing, a temporary ban on entry into Indonesia, to large-scale social
restrictions.
It was only on May 28, 2020 that the Central Government through the Minister of National
Development Planning/Head of Bappenas, in a joint press conference with the Foreign Minister
as well as the Task Force Team of experts handling COVID-19, presented the Productive and Safe
Community Protocol COVID-19 designed to create a new normal to coexist with COVID-19 (Hadi
& Supardi 2020). It also targeted several economic activities that were previously stopped and
will begin to be reactivated gradually by following the health protocol requirements. However, this
condition still has a significant impact on various economic sectors, including the batik handicraft
sector.
Since the implementation of the new normal era in Indonesia, the batik handicraft industry sector
can no longer stand by the old patterns that have become a comfort zone. In addition to taking
part in thinking about practical steps according to health protocols to reduce the spread of the
COVID-19 virus, efforts to innovate quickly and precisely in shaping the craftsmen’s new behavior
in order to compete and survive also need to be considered (Ciptandi 2020).
Innovations, according to this new vision, have been applied in the traditional batik handicraft
industry in Kerek District, Tuban Regency, East Java, which was chosen as an example of a case
representing other traditional batik industries on Java Island, Indonesia. In 2018, the strategy
of applying innovations in batik handicraft products in Tuban was carried out in the conditions
before the COVID-19 pandemic and had obtained results, namely: (1) development of the visual
appearance of Tuban batik patterns; (2) application of Tuban batik to the appropriate fashion
products; and (3) improvement of creativity and the ability to adapt innovations for batik craftsmen.
Based on this study, it has been concluded that the batik handicraft industry in Tuban has the ability
152
DOI 10.1201/9781003193241-28