Quality Culture Management in Islamic Educational Institutions: Balancing Religious Identity and Global Standards

Ahmad Junaidi Musthofa; Mulyadi Mulyadi; Mohammad Asrori; Muhamad Furqon; Rohmad Rohmad

doi:10.35445/alishlah.v18i2.9890

Quality Culture Management in Islamic Educational Institutions: Balancing Religious Identity and Global Standards

Ahmad Junaidi Musthofa, Mulyadi Mulyadi, Mohammad Asrori, Muhamad Furqon, Rohmad Rohmad

Abstract

Islamic educational institutions face growing pressure to improve educational quality while preserving their religious identity amid global educational demands. This study examines how Islamic educational institutions develop a sustainable quality culture by integrating Islamic values with global education standards. This study employed a qualitative multi-case study design involving two Islamic educational institutions in Jombang, Indonesia: MA Unggulan Darul Ulum Step-2 and SMA Darul Ulum 2 Unggulan BPPT. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, observations, and document analysis involving school leaders, teachers, students, and parents. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis and cross-case comparison to identify patterns of quality culture development, integration strategies, and resistance management. The findings reveal that both institutions developed quality culture through different but complementary strategies. MA Unggulan Darul Ulum Step-2 emphasized religious habituation, pesantren-based discipline, and character formation, while SMA Darul Ulum 2 Unggulan BPPT adopted international curriculum practices, technology-supported learning, and global competence development without abandoning Islamic principles. Resistance to change emerged from concerns over weakening religious identity, but it was managed through value alignment, participatory leadership, stakeholder dialogue, and gradual implementation. The study proposes the Religious-Global Management Model as a contextual framework for balancing Islamic identity and global standards in quality culture development. The model highlights religious values, global orientation, adaptive leadership, stakeholder participation, and institutional routines as key elements for sustaining quality in Islamic educational institution.

Keywords

Islamic education; quality culture; global standards; resistance management; educational development

References

Airin, P., & Md Sharif, K. (2024). The Impact of Positive Reinforcement on Behavioral Regulation in Young Children. Journal of Innovation in Educational and Social Research, 2(10), 142–163.

Attahakul, P. (2025). Education’s Role in Creating a Sustainable and Equitable Society. Journal of Asian Language Teaching and Learning (Online), 6(1), 81–93.

Belina, A. (2023). Semi-Structured Interviewing as a Tool for Understanding Informal Civil Society. Voluntary Sector Review, 14(2), 331–347. https://doi.org/10.1332/204080522X16454629995872

Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2024). Supporting Best Practice in Reflexive Thematic Analysis Reporting in Palliative Medicine: A Review of Published Research and Introduction to the Reflexive Thematic Analysis Reporting Guidelines (RTARG). Palliative Medicine, 38(6), 608–616. https://doi.org/10.1177/02692163241234800

Candra Susanto, P., Yuntina, L., Saribanon, E., Panatap Soehaditama, J., & Liana, E. (2024). Qualitative Method Concepts: Literature Review, Focus Group Discussion, Ethnography and Grounded Theory. Siber Journal of Advanced Multidisciplinary, 2(2), 262–275. https://doi.org/10.38035/sjam.v2i2.207

Castro, R. (2019). Blended Learning in Higher Education: Trends and Capabilities. Education and Information Technologies, 24(4), 2523–2546. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-019-09886-3

Chychun, V., Grechanyk, O., Khliebnikova, T., Temchenko, O., & Kravchenko, Н. (2023). Change Management Models and Methods: Implementing Innovations, Ensuring Sustainability and Engaging Staff.

Dolczewski, M. (2022). Semi-Structured Interview for Self-Esteem Regulation Research. Acta Psychologica, 228, 103642. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actpsy.2022.103642

Hajar, A. (2024). Navigating Globalization: Reforming Islamic Education for the 21st Century. Sinergi International Journal of Islamic Studies, 2(1), 53–65. https://doi.org/10.61194/ijis.v2i1.599

Hancock, J., Johnson, J. M., & Khoshgoftaar, T. M. (2022). A Comparative Approach to Threshold Optimization for Classifying Imbalanced Data. 2022 IEEE 8th International Conference on Collaboration and Internet Computing (CIC), 135–142. https://doi.org/10.1109/CIC56439.2022.00028

Hasbi, M., Alim, N., & Machmud, H. (2025). Transformation of Education Quality in Islamic Higher Education Institutions Through Organizational Culture and Integrated Quality Management. Munaddhomah: Jurnal Manajemen Pendidikan Islam, 6(3), 375–386. https://doi.org/10.31538/munaddhomah.v6i3.1921

Haveman, H. A., Joseph-Goteiner, D., & Li, D. (2023). Institutional Logics: Motivating Action and Overcoming Resistance to Change. Management and Organization Review, 19(6), 1152–1177. https://doi.org/10.1017/mor.2023.22

Kawar, L. N., Dunbar, G. B., Aquino-Maneja, E. M., Flores, S. L., Squier, V. R., & Failla, K. R. (2024). Quantitative, Qualitative, Mixed Methods, and Triangulation Research Simplified. The Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing, 55(7), 338–344. https://doi.org/10.3928/00220124-20240328-03

Khanum, B., Sardar, R., & Bajwa, T. H. (2025). Role of Positive Reinforcement Strategies in Students Learning Performance at Elementary Level. ASSAJ, 4(01), 2218–2235.

Lomba-Portela, L., Domínguez-Lloria, S., & Pino-Juste, M. R. (2022). Resistances to Educational Change: Teachers’ Perceptions. Education Sciences, 12(5), 359. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci12050359

Malizal, Z. Z. (2025). Islamic Education and Globalization: Curriculum, Identity, and Digital Integration. Sinergi International Journal of Islamic Studies, 3(2), 70–82. https://doi.org/10.61194/ijis.v3i2.711

Maulana, O. (2025). Problems of Education Quality in Private Islamic Universities Through Organizational Culture and Total Quality Management. International Journal on Advanced Science, Education, and Religion, 8(2), 497–507.

McLure, F. I., & Aldridge, J. M. (2022). A Systematic Literature Review of Barriers and Supports: Initiating Educational Change at the System Level. School Leadership & Management, 42(4), 402–431. https://doi.org/10.1080/13632434.2022.2113050

Meng, X., Fleer, M., Li, L., & Hammer, M. (2022). A Cultural-Historical Study of the Development of Emotion Regulation Through Collective Play in an Institutional Care Setting in China. Learning, Culture and Social Interaction, 32, 100590. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lcsi.2021.100590

Menteşoğulları, E. (2023). Total Quality Management in Education: A Strategic Approach for Continuous Improvement and Success. Uluslararası Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, 7(29), 184–198. https://doi.org/10.52096/usbd.7.29.10

Morgan, H. (2024). Using Triangulation and Crystallization to Make Qualitative Studies Trustworthy and Rigorous. The Qualitative Report, 29(7), 1844–1856. https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2024.6071

Moslimany, R., Otaibi, A., & Shaikh, F. (2024). Designing a Holistic Curriculum: Challenges and Opportunities in Islamic Education. Journal on Islamic Studies, 1(1), 52–73. https://doi.org/10.35335/beztg009

Nwisagbo, A. E., Osuji, C. U., & Amachree, T. (2025). Leading Changes in Education: Strategies for Managing Resistance and Building Buy-In. International Journal of Educational Management, Rivers State University, 1(1), 387–402.

Ogunmakin, R. (2024). Traditional and Modern System of Teaching in Higher Education Open Distance Learning (ODL) and Hybrid Format. International Journal of Education, Library and Information Communication Technology, 2(1).

Oloba, P. B. (2025). The Role of Stakeholders in Leading and Managing Educational Resilience for Sustainability. International Journal of Social and Educational Innovation (IJSEIro), 331–359.

Palah, S., Wasliman, I., Sauri, S., & Andriana Gaffar, M. (2022). Principal Strategic Management in Improving the Quality of Education. International Journal of Educational Research & Social Sciences, 3(5), 2041–2051. https://doi.org/10.51601/ijersc.v3i5.497

Pitriani, L., Hadistia, M., & Basyari, A. M. (2024). Integration of General Knowledge and Religion: Strategies for Building Holistic Education in a Multidisciplinary Era. Islamic Journal of Education, 3(2), 141–154. https://doi.org/10.54801/vj2ccc16

Priya, S., Varghese, G. R., Sharma, S. K., Vaidya, V., Bharat, V., Khan, S., & Yadav, H. S. (2025). Change Management in Organizations: Strategies for Successful Implementation and Resistance Mitigation. Cuestiones de Fisioterapia, 54(3), 4788–4797. https://doi.org/10.48047/dgp89662

Quadri, H. M. A., & Al-Azhari, A. A. (2025). The Role of Islamic Religious Institutions in Strengthening the Religious Identity of Muslim Youth in Canada: An Analytical and Research-Based Study. Contemporary Journal of Social Science Review, 3(4), 229–245.

Quinteros, K. N., & Covarrubias, R. (2024). Reimagining Leadership Through the Everyday Resistance of Faculty of Color. Journal of Diversity in Higher Education, 17(6), 843. https://doi.org/10.1037/dhe0000471

Qusairi, A., Fikri, H., & Akbar, M. (2025). Integrating Tradition and Modernity: Educational Management Strategies. Nidhomiyyah: Jurnal Manajemen Pendidikan Islam, 6(1), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.38073/nidhomiyyah.v6i1.1946

Rahman, N. A., & Azzahra, A. (2024). The Role of Islamic Education in Preserving Cultural Identity Amidst Global Modernity. Sinergi International Journal of Islamic Studies, 2(4), 257–271. https://doi.org/10.61194/ijis.v2i4.707

Rathore, B., Gupta, R., Biswas, B., Srivastava, A., & Gupta, S. (2022). Identification and Analysis of Adoption Barriers of Disruptive Technologies in the Logistics Industry. The International Journal of Logistics Management, 33(5), 136–169. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJLM-07-2021-0352

Romlah, R., Warisno, A., Muslim, A. B., & Harun, A. (2025). Navigating Tradition and Modernity in the Strategic Management and Transformation of Madrasah Aliyah in Multicultural Indonesia. International Journal of Management in Education, 19(3), 284–310. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJMIE.2025.145945

Saada, N. (2023). Educating for Global Citizenship in Religious Education: Islamic Perspective. International Journal of Educational Development, 103, 102894. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijedudev.2023.102894

Sanfuentes, M., Garretón, M., Valenzuela, J. P., Díaz, R., & Montoya, C. (2024). Philanthropic Emotional Work: Papering Over the Cracks of Unprecedented Public Education Reform. Educational Management Administration & Leadership, 52(1), 230–252. https://doi.org/10.1177/17411432211054625

Shofiyyah, N. A., Komarudin, T. S., & Hasan, M. S. (2023). Innovations in Islamic Education Management Within the University Context: Addressing Challenges and Exploring Future Prospects. Nidhomul Haq: Jurnal Manajemen Pendidikan Islam, 8(2), 193–209. https://doi.org/10.31538/ndh.v8i2.3625

Sodikin, M., Anto, P., & Anwar, K. (2024). Enhancing Education Quality in Islamic Institutions Through Management Approaches. Evaluasi: Jurnal Manajemen Pendidikan Islam, 8(1), 70–81. https://doi.org/10.32478/cwxxya26

Sulhan, A., & Hakim, L. (2023). Emancipating Islamic Education Management Through Good-Quality Santri Character Cultures: Insights From Indonesia. Eurasian Journal of Educational Research (EJER), 103.

Udhma, L., & Minarti, S. (2025). Integrating Total Quality Management With Islamic Values in Modern Islamic Education. Managere: Indonesian Journal of Educational Management, 7(1), 102–114. https://doi.org/10.52627/managere.v7i1.784

Umami, I. O. N., & Yasin, M. (2024). Integrating Islamic Ethical Values Into Human Resource Development: Enhancing Educational Quality in Indonesian Islamic Schools. Dirosatuna: Journal of Islamic Studies, 7(2), 99–110. https://doi.org/10.31538/dirosatuna.v7i2.7683

Yulia, K., Zarema, K., & Maret, M. (2025). The Importance of Educational Initiatives in Promoting Sustainable Social Development. Reliability: Theory & Applications, 20(SI 9 [87]), 871–877.

Zolak Poljašević, B., Gričnik, A. M., & Šarotar Žižek, S. (2025). Human Resource Management in Public Administration: The Ongoing Tension Between Reform Requirements and Resistance to Change. Administrative Sciences, 15(3), 94. https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci15030094.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.35445/alishlah.v18i2.9890