International Journal of Human Resource & Industrial Research
Print ISSN : 2349–4816
Online ISSN : 2349–3593
Frequency : Monthly
Current Issue : Volume 13 , Issue 1
2026
Surya Kanta Sahu , Dr. Suratha Kumar Das
Surya kanta sahu, PhD Scholar Utkal university, Bhubaneswar, India
Dr. Suratha kumar Das, Reader in commerce, D. R.Nayapalli College, Bhubaneswar, India
DOI : https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21705483 Page No : 106-124
Published Online : 2026-06-30
Download Full Article : PDF Check for Updates
ABSTRACT
The handloom sector plays a vital role in preserving India’s cultural heritage while providing sustainable livelihoods to millions of rural households. In the KBK districts, which consist of Koraput, Balangir, Sonepur, Nuapada, Rayagada, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, and Koraput,handloom weaving serves as a primary source of employment and income; however, the sector continues to face challenges related to resource constraints, income instability, technological limitations, exploitation of middlemen and high price of raw material. This study examines the sustainability dimensions of handloom weavers in KBK districts of Odisha. A quantitative, cross-sectional research design was adopted, and primary data were collected from 320 handloom weavers using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, cross-tabulation, Pearson’s Chi-square test, reliability analysis, and Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) were employed using IBM SPSS Statistics. The findings reveal significant differences in respondents’ domicile and monthly income across the selected districts (p < 0.001), indicating spatial disparities in socio-economic conditions. The sustainability measurement scale demonstrated strong internal consistency (Cronbach’s Alpha = 0.894), while the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin value (0.847) and Bartlett’s Test of Sphericity (χ² = 3216.662, p < 0.001) confirmed the suitability of the data for factor analysis. Three underlying sustainability dimensions were extracted, explaining 80.31% of the total variance. The results highlight the importance of local resource utilization, eco-friendly production practices, technological improvements, effective waste management, financial stability, and future planning in enhancing the sustainability of handloom livelihoods. The study contributes to the sustainable livelihood literature by providing empirical evidence from one of India’s economically vulnerable regions and offers policy recommendations for strengthening the resilience, competitiveness, and long-term sustainability of the handloom sector in the KBK districts of Odisha.
Keywords: Handloom weavers, Sustainable livelihood, Sustainability, KBK region, Odisha, Exploratory Factor Analysis, Rural development, Livelihood resilience.
