Abstract:This study explored how cost structure, land productivity, and price efficiency shape the income of micro scale shallot farmers in Brebes Regency based on farmers' reported financial experiences and informants' financial…
narratives. Using an exploratory qualitative approach, data were collected from five shallot farmers, one agricultural extension officer, and one farmer group leader through semi-structured interviews, non-participant observation, and documentation. The data were analyzed through thematic analysis supported by source and technique triangulation. The findings show that reported income is highly vulnerable to variable production costs, particularly labor, seed, and pesticides. Land productivity is closely related to land ownership status and farming scale, while price efficiency is constrained by farmers' weak bargaining position and dependence on intermediaries. Farmers apply adaptive strategies such as delaying sales, drying harvested shallots, and converting part of the harvest into seed stock. However, these strategies are limited by liquidity needs, storage capacity, product quality, and market uncertainty. The study concludes that improving farmers' income stability requires integrated cost control, asset productivity, price information access, post-harvest support, and stronger farmer institutions.
Abstract:The rapid integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into organizational systems has transformed workplace dynamics, employee responsibilities, and patterns of human labor. Although AI implementation improves operational…
l efficiency and productivity, it also creates psychological and professional challenges for employees adapting to technological change. This study aims to explore the lived experiences, emotional responses, and adaptation strategies of employees in South Sulawesi companies undergoing AI-driven digital transformation. This research employed a qualitative phenomenological approach. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews with 20 participants from the banking, manufacturing, retail, technology, and service sectors in South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Participants were selected using purposive sampling based on direct exposure to AI systems and a minimum of 1.5 years of work experience. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis to identify recurring patterns and meanings related to employee adaptation. The findings revealed six major themes: AI as a tool for improving efficiency and productivity, fear of job displacement and career uncertainty, the importance of continuous learning and digital skill development, the role of organizational support and leadership communication, the emergence of human–AI collaboration, and varied psychological responses to technological change. Employees who received organizational support and training demonstrated greater adaptability and confidence in responding to AI implementation. The study emphasizes the importance of human-centered change management strategies that prioritize psychological safety, transparent communication, and continuous digital training. This research contributes to the limited phenomenological literature on AI adaptation in Indonesia and provides practical implications for human resource management and organizational behavior in the era of digital transformation.
Abstract:Influencer marketing has emerged as a dominant strategy within the digital marketing landscape, particularly in the Indonesian beauty industry. This study investigates how consumers in Makassar City develop and sustain trust…
rust in influencer-based marketing content on social media platforms. Employing a qualitative descriptive approach, in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 purposively selected participants who actively consume beauty content on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis encompassing open coding, axial coding, and selective coding procedures. The findings reveal five core themes: (1) authenticity as the primary driver of trust formation; (2) the negative impact of excessive commercialization on perceived credibility; (3) the role of influencer expertise and product knowledge in legitimizing recommendations; (4) parasocial relationships as amplifiers of emotional attachment and brand loyalty; and (5) consumer skepticism as an emerging critical evaluation strategy. The study demonstrates that trust remains the central mediating variable linking influencer characteristics to purchase intentions. Consumers exhibit nuanced evaluation behaviors, distinguishing between genuine advocacy and sponsored content. The research contributes theoretically by integrating Source Credibility Theory, Parasocial Interaction Theory, and the Trust-Commitment Theory within the influencer marketing context. Managerially, the findings suggest that brands should prioritize authentic, transparent, and expertise-driven influencer collaborations rather than high-volume promotional campaigns.
Abstract:This study examines the rapid expansion of the coffee shop industry in Makassar City as a phenomenon that creates not only economic opportunities but also increasing competitive saturation. As coffee shops in Makassar have…
ve developed beyond places of beverage consumption into urban social spaces linked to lifestyle, sociability, symbolic visibility, and identity formation, competition has become denser and more complex. The study aims to gain an in-depth understanding of how coffee shop owners and managers experience, interpret, and respond to this increasingly crowded market. Using a qualitative phenomenological approach, the research employed in-depth semi-structured interviews with business actors involved in strategic and operational decision-making, supported by contextual observation and business-related documents. The findings reveal five main themes: market growth is experienced as both opportunity and pressure; similarity among coffee shops increases vulnerability and reduces perceived distinctiveness; entrepreneurs rely on continuous adaptation rather than fixed strategies; business sustainability is understood as stability, relevance, and survival rather than expansion alone; and competition is shaped not only by product and price, but also by ambience, visibility, symbolic value, and lifestyle alignment.
Abstract:Abstract also written in English containing key issues, objectives, methods and results. Abstract This study examines the role of service creativity in the performing arts ecosystem within the context of cultural tourism,…
m, highlighting how service processes contribute to value creation beyond the artistic aspect. Cultural tourism has shifted from an object-based orientation to an experiential one, understanding performing arts not merely as a creative product but as an experience constructed through interactions between service providers and consumers. In this context, service becomes an integral part of the value creation process and audience satisfaction. This research uses a qualitative approach with a single case study method at PT Mata Hati Kitapoleng, a performing arts company in Bali. Data collection was conducted through in-depth semi-structured interviews and non-participatory observation. This research focuses on how service creativity is built through organizational processes, interactions, and practices. The results show that service creativity is formed through a structured yet flexible process, which integrates empathy for consumers, team collaboration, idea exploration, and continuous evaluation. The design thinking approach enables companies to deeply understand consumer needs and translate them into personalized and meaningful experiences. Service in this context is understood as a co-creative process, where consumers play an active role in shaping the final outcome. Furthermore, consumer satisfaction is influenced by various factors, such as trust, production and financial efficiency, innovation capacity, and evaluation and feedback mechanisms. This research confirms that service creativity is a strategic element in enhancing the competitiveness and sustainability of performing arts businesses within the cultural tourism ecosystem.
Abstract:The rapid development of digital financial technology has significantly transformed investment activities by providing easier access to financial markets through digital investment applications. This study aims to explore…
e the perceptions and experiences of beginner investors in making investment decisions in the digital era. Using a qualitative research approach with a phenomenological perspective, data were collected through semi-structured interviews with beginner investors who actively use digital investment applications. The collected data were analyzed using thematic analysis to identify patterns and themes related to investors’ experiences and decision-making processes. The findings reveal that investment decision-making among beginner investors is influenced by several interconnected factors, including the accessibility and usability of digital investment platforms, the influence of social media and online communities, the development of financial literacy, and psychological experiences related to investment gains and losses. Digital investment applications play a crucial role in lowering barriers to market participation by providing user-friendly interfaces and accessible financial information. However, reliance on social media as a source of investment information may also expose investors to misinformation and speculative investment behavior. In addition, emotional responses such as confidence, fear, and uncertainty often influence investment decisions among beginner investors. Overall, the study highlights that investment decision-making in the digital era is a multidimensional process shaped by technological accessibility, social influence, financial knowledge, and psychological factors. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of investor behavior in digital financial environments and emphasize the importance of financial education and responsible investment practices.
Abstract:The rapid transformation of contemporary work environments driven by digitalization, hybrid work systems, and evolving workforce expectations has intensified the need for effective leadership approaches that foster employee…
yee engagement. This study aims to explore the role of transformational leadership in enhancing employee engagement within contemporary organizational contexts using a qualitative research design. Guided by a phenomenological approach, data were collected through in depth semi structured interviews with employees who had direct supervisory relationships in digitally mediated or hybrid work settings. Thematic analysis revealed four major themes: visionary inspiration and meaningful work, individualized support and psychological safety, intellectual stimulation and professional growth, and trust based relationships and organizational identification. The findings indicate that transformational leadership strengthens employee engagement by cultivating meaningfulness, empowerment, trust, and intrinsic motivation, which collectively enhance employees’ physical, cognitive, and emotional involvement in their work roles. The study extends existing leadership and engagement theories by providing contextualized insights into how transformational leadership is experienced in modern organizational environments. Practically, the findings highlight the importance of developing transformational competencies among leaders to sustain engagement and performance in increasingly complex and interconnected workplaces
Abstract:The rapid development of digital technology and social media platforms has significantly transformed consumer purchasing behavior, particularly in relation to digital products. Social media has evolved beyond its traditional…
onal role as a communication platform and now functions as an important environment where consumers discover, evaluate, and purchase products. This study aims to explore the psychological factors that influence consumer decision-making in purchasing digital products through social media platforms. A qualitative research approach was employed to gain an in-depth understanding of consumers' experiences and perspectives. Data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews with social media users who had purchased digital products based on information encountered on social media platforms. The collected data were analyzed using thematic analysis to identify patterns and themes related to consumer psychology in digital purchasing behavior. The findings reveal that consumer decision-making in purchasing digital products is influenced by several interconnected psychological and social factors. Five major themes emerged from the analysis: social media as a discovery environment, cognitive evaluation of digital products, trust formation and credibility cues, psychological motivations for purchasing digital products, and social influence from peers, influencers, and online communities. The results indicate that social media plays a significant role not only in introducing digital products but also in shaping consumer perceptions, trust, and purchase intentions. Consumers actively interpret information obtained from social media, evaluate product credibility through reviews and recommendations, and rely on social interactions to reduce uncertainty before making purchase decisions. This study contributes to the understanding of consumer psychology in digital environments by highlighting how psychological motivations and social influences interact within social media platforms to shape digital purchasing decisions. The findings also provide practical insights for digital marketers and product creators to design more effective strategies that emphasize authenticity, trust-building, and community engagement in promoting digital products.
Abstract:The issue of digitalization of education has led to the increased dependency on Information Systems (IS), especially Learning Management Systems (LMS), to provide continuity of learning after the COVID-19 pandemic situation.…
ion. At Edulab, as a large learning service provider in Indonesia, LMS works as a central of learning provision, evaluation, communication, and academic tracking. Despite the strategic role, there are still frequent problems like unreliable access, incomplete evaluation, flawed data, and deteriorated performance when the system is at its peak usage, and it interferes with the learning processes and lowers the level of user confidence. This paper discusses the effect of LMS quality on service delivery, satisfaction among users and effectiveness of the entire platform at the institution. It is being analyzed in terms of the DeLone and McLean Information System Success Model, which is being supplemented by the Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE) framework. The mixed method was used, which integrated a survey of 1,081 users of the LMS who were estimated through Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and a semi-structured interview with key stakeholders of the management. The results suggest that system, information, and service quality are very powerful predictors of user satisfaction with service quality coming out as the most significant factor in LMS effectiveness in service-oriented institutions of learning.
Abstract:This study develops a practical framework for evaluating AI-generated brand visuals in a marketing communication context. Using a qualitative case study of an Indonesian sustainable startup (I-NewBee), the research employs…
ys photo-elicitation interviews to compare consumer evaluations of brand assets generated by three text-to-image tools (Midjourney, Neural Love AI, and Leonardo AI). Twelve target-market participants assessed anonymized visual sets (A/B/C) produced under a standardized prompt structure, using a semi-structured protocol informed by attention-stage cues from the AISAS model. Expert input from a visual communication design practitioner was used to triangulate judgments on visual quality and brand fit. Data were analyzed through iterative coding and thematic synthesis to identify recurring evaluation dimensions and decision cues. The findings suggest that perceived brand fit is shaped by visual realism, compositional clarity, brand-consistent signals, and message interpretability, while prompt ambiguity and inconsistent visual cues reduce credibility. The paper contributes an actionable evaluation framework expressed as evaluation dimensions and prompt-design considerations for startups seeking to deploy generative AI responsibly in brand communication