Community Empowerment to Reduce Extreme Poverty in Garut Regency Through Business Incubators

Extreme poverty remains a persistent challenge in Indonesia, with approximately 2.5% of the population living on less than $2.15 per day (World Bank, 2023). This condition is not solely economic but also deeply intertwined with social and cultural dimensions, limiting access to education, healthcare, and employment opportunities. This study examines the impact of business incubators on reducing extreme poverty in Garut Regency by analyzing changes in income and managerial knowledge using paired t-tests. The findings indicate a significant increase in income, with an average growth of 35% (p-value = 0.000), alongside a notable improvement in managerial knowledge (p-value = 0.001) following participation in the incubator program. These results underscore the effectiveness of business incubators in enhancing both financial stability and entrepreneurial capacity. However, critical challenges remain, particularly regarding access to capital and heightened market competition, which disproportionately affect entrepreneurs in remote areas. To address these barriers and ensure the long-term sustainability of incubator initiatives, stronger collaboration among local governments, financial institutions, and the private sector is essential. Such partnerships can facilitate targeted financial support and broader market access. Overall, this research affirms the role of business incubators as a strategic tool for community empowerment and poverty alleviation, while emphasizing the need for ongoing support mechanisms and policy innovation to foster resilient, inclusive economic development in disadvantaged regions such as Garut Regency

An Experimental Study on Property Valuation Accuracy in Indonesia: A Government Valuers' Perspective

Market value estimated by property valuers is essential as it is used for various purposes both in public and private sectors. Hence, the accuracy of market value estimate is of paramount importance. However, valuation involves subjectivity, so it is bound to suffer from errors. This study is aimed at studying such errors. For this purpose, this study uses a market price of a parcel of land in the southern part of Jakarta. This particular area was chosen due to its significant number of property transactions compared to other regions in Jakarta. Government valuers at the Ministry of Finance were invited to provide their value estimate of that property. They were only allowed to use a pre-made worksheet provided by the researchers. This study shows the estimated market value is around 16.9% of the market price. Differences in rank, experience, or neighborhood knowledge have no significant relation to the accuracy of market value estimate. Most participants can demonstrate that their market value estimates are relatively similar, showing low variation between valuers

Teen Identity and K-Pop Fanaticism: Gender Perspectives and Implications for Guidance Services with A Systematic Literature Review

This study focuses on K-Pop fanaticism and its impact on the development of adolescent self-identity, with a particular focus on gender differences. The aim of this study is to examine how adolescents' involvement in K-Pop fandom influences their identity formation and its implications for self-development through personal counseling services. The method used is a Systematic Literature Review of articles in the Scopus database (2015–2024). The results of the study indicate that adolescents' involvement in K-Pop fandom can shape social and personal identities, but also pose risks such as excessive fanaticism and gender role distortion. Gender differences influence how adolescents internalize fandom culture, which directly impacts the dynamics of their self-development. These findings highlight the importance of personal guidance services that are responsive to popular cultural phenomena and sensitive to gender issues in order to support healthy and balanced adolescent identity development

Enhancing Public Services Through Residential Area Management: A Public Administration Study on the Implementation of the Regional Development and Housing Plan (RP3KP): RP3KP

Improving public services is the primary goal of governance, which is focused on community welfare. One critical sector in enhancing the quality of public services is residential area management. This article examines the role of residential area management in supporting public service improvement, focusing on implementing the Regional Development and Housing Plan (RP3KP) in Tana Tidung Regency. The study aims to analyze the contribution of RP3KP to public service improvement in the housing sector and identify key success factors and challenges in its implementation. This research employs a qualitative approach with a case study method. Data was collected through policy document analysis, interviews with relevant stakeholders, and field observations. The results indicate that RP3KP has positively contributed to improving the quality of public services in the housing sector through integrated and participatory planning. The successful implementation of RP3KP is influenced by policy synergy between central and local governments, active community involvement in planning, and effective coordination among local government agencies. However, this study also identifies several challenges, such as limited resources, inadequate spatial data, and difficulties in cross-sectoral coordination. The implementation of RP3KP can potentially become a strategic model for optimizing public services in the housing sector, provided it is supported by consistent policies, efficient resource management, and enhanced institutional capacity. Practical recommendations for local governments include strengthening residential area management as an integral part of inclusive and sustainable public services

Women's Leadership in Open and Distance Higher Education: Lessons from the VUCA Era During the COVID-19 Pandemic

There is little research on women's leadership in Open and Distance Higher Education especially during the COVID-19 pandemic and times of uncertainty (VUCA) that explores women's experiences of leading a distance learning institution from home. This study describes how women managers of learning and materials services and heads of administration lead Universitas Terbuka from home in the implementation of the first phase of lockdown in Indonesia in 2020. Data collected in a narrative manner with in-depth interviews with four women about conscious experiences women lead the Jakarta and Serang regional offices of Universitas Terbuka. Leading from home requires extra energy for women at the beginning of the covid-19 pandemic, family support, technology and internet networks greatly affect the process of women's leadership in Universitas Terbuka. Work from home starting from office hours until late at night with commitment, proactive, trust and able to make decisions quickly with leadership and other staff through Microsoft Teams and Zoom. In addition, women leaders continue to communicate and coordinate via Whats-app group, personal communication and work email. The experience of working from home for women who lead open, and distance higher education can be a positive picture behind the worrisome condition of the Covid-19 pandemic in the world

Sedulur Sikep’s Sociocultural Adaptation to Social Changes in Ploso Kedhiren Village, Randublatung District

Sedulur Sikep refers to the followers of Samin Surosentiko’s teachings that continue to exist to this day by consistently upholding the values and teachings of Samin. This research aims to explore the sociocultural adaptation strategies employed by Sedulur Sikep. The research was conducted from January to March 2025. This study utilizes a qualitative method and phenomenological approach. The data collection techniques include three methods, which are observation, interviews, and documentation. The sampling technique applied in this study is purposive sampling. The obtained data were analyzed by reducing, displaying data, drawing conclusions, and verifying them. The results indicate that Sedulur Sikep adhere to the Samin’s teachings, which fundamentally focus on principles of human life values that serve as a guide for attitudes and behavior, especially for the Sedulur Sikep to remain virtuous and honest. The challenges faced by the Sedulur Sikep are inseparable from the context of social pressures and domination they experienced, particularly during politically sensitive periods, such as the post-G30S/PKI 1965 era. Government policies related to KTP (Resident Identity Card), marriage registration at the KUA (Office of Religious Affairs), and compulsory formal education have influenced the lives of Sedulur Sikep. Findings show that the Sedulur Sikep have maintained the core values of Samin’s teachings while remaining open and willing to adapt to social changes. Future research should focus on the younger generation of Sedulur Sikep to explore their sociocultural adaptatio

Measuring Self on Social Media: Adapting the Facebook User Self Presentation Instrument

Self-presentation is conveying or communicating information about an individual, how they perceive something, and how individuals can influence the feelings of others who have about themselves. Self-presentation carried out by individuals presents themselves differently from the authentic self, including the authentic self, the ideal self, and the false self in social media interaction. This study aims to test the validity of the Self-Presentation instrument on Facebook users. This instrument measures how Facebook users present themselves on the platform. A total of 324 Facebook users participated in this study. Data were collected through an online questionnaire. The analysis showed that the Self-Presentation instrument's initial measurement model did not meet the fit criteria. Therefore, modifications were made by eliminating items with low factor loadings and high residual variance. After modification, the measurement model of the Self-Presentation instrument showed a good fit with a GFI value of 0.993, RMSEA of 0.088, CFI of 0.973, and TLI 0.949

Strategic Leadership Model in Regional Cooperation to Improve the Effectiveness of Resolving Drug Delivery Routes in Indonesia

This study examines the strategic leadership model in regional cooperation to enhance the effectiveness of addressing drug trafficking routes in Indonesia. Indonesia's unique geographical location makes it a crucial transit hub for drug trafficking, posing significant challenges to national security and regional stability. Despite numerous efforts to combat drug trafficking, the lack of coordinated regional leadership remains a persistent barrier. This research specifically addresses the question: How can a strategic leadership model improve regional cooperation effectiveness in resolving drug trafficking in Indonesia?. The novelty of this paper lies in its comprehensive analysis of the strategic leadership model's application specifically within the ASEAN regional cooperation framework, which has not been extensively studied previously. Unlike other studies, this research identifies specific institutional, technological, and political barriers and offers a structured framework to address accountability and cross-border legal harmonization. This paper employs a descriptive qualitative approach and literature review, analyzing data sourced from internationally indexed academic journals, institutional reports, and publications from international bodies such as ASEAN and the UNODC. A thematic analysis approach, complemented by source triangulation, is utilized to ensure data validity and reliability.: The findings indicate that effective regional strategic leadership significantly reduces drug trafficking activities through improved coordination, harmonized law enforcement, advanced technology integration, and structured anti-corruption measures. Comparative case studies from Thailand’s Golden Triangle Operation and drug enforcement strategies in Mexico underline the critical role of cohesive strategic leadership. The study concludes that implementing a structured strategic leadership framework is essential to overcoming existing political and institutional barriers, enhancing regional cooperation effectiveness. Policymakers in ASEAN nations, particularly Indonesia, should prioritize establishing transparent accountability mechanisms, harmonizing cross-border laws, strengthening anti-corruption efforts, and promoting high-level diplomatic engagements to effectively combat drug traffickin

Educational Social Assistance and Human Capital Development: Evidence from Marginalized Students in Jakarta

Socioeconomic disparities in Jakarta continue to hinder the development of high-quality human resources, particularly among marginalized communities. In response, the Jakarta Provincial Government introduced the Kartu Jakarta Mahasiswa Unggul (KJMU) program to improve access to higher education through targeted social assistance. This study investigates the effectiveness of KJMU by examining the influence of educational social assistance on recipients’ behavior, its impact on human capital quality, and the mediating role of behavior in that relationship. Utilizing the Theory of Planned Behavior, data were collected through a Likert-scale questionnaire from 155 KJMU recipients and analyzed using Partial Least Squares–Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings indicate that social assistance has a significant positive effect on recipients’ behavior. However, neither educational assistance nor behavior showed a direct statistically significant impact on the quality of human capital, as measured by academic achievement, employability, and study efficiency. Among these indicators, academic performance exhibited the strongest association, while employment waiting time showed the weakest. These results suggest that while KJMU effectively fosters academic motivation and positive attitudes, it alone may be insufficient to enhance overall human capital quality. Complementary interventions such as career mentoring, soft skills training, and post-graduation support are recommended to strengthen the long-term outcomes of educational social assistance programs

Investigating the Challenges of Bureaucratic Reform in Developing Countries: A Case Study Approach

This study examines the challenges encountered during bureaucratic reform in developing countries, focusing on the complexities of implementing effective administrative changes. Employing a qualitative research method that includes a literature review and case study approach, the research highlights the various obstacles governments face, such as resistance to change, lack of institutional capacity, corruption, and political interference. The study identifies common trends and key factors hindering reform efforts by analyzing multiple case studies from different developing nations. A significant finding is the role of entrenched political elites, who often resist changes that may diminish their influence or control over resources. Additionally, weak governance structures and insufficient training programs for civil servants contribute to the slow pace of reform. The study also discusses the importance of fostering a culture of transparency and accountability within public institutions and the need for comprehensive strategies that address both the technical and human aspects of reform. This research contributes to the growing body of literature on public administration reform by providing insights into the multifaceted challenges that developing countries face. It offers recommendations for policymakers to create more adaptable and resilient bureaucratic systems that are better equipped to meet the demands of modern governance