Digital Religion and Hybrid Practices: Negotiating Ritual and Authority Within Jama’ah Tabligh in Indonesia

PurposeCause-related B2B marketing programs involve sponsoring organisations working with B2B suppliers with the help of non-profit organisations (NPOs) on practises relating to environmental friendliness, workforce diversity, human rights, safety, philanthropy and business ethics. The study aims to identify the combinatory factors driving the adoption of Digital B2B platforms for managing cause-related B2B marketing programs.Design/methodology/approachThe study adopts an innovative approach of fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) on data collated from top corporations in India supporting cause-related B2B marketing programs. Sponsoring organisations and NPO dyads (i.e. survey both) filled out an email survey on 264 cause-related B2B marketing programs.FindingsThe study establishes that the combination of technological, organisational and environmental factors would lead to the adoption of Digital B2B platforms in managing cause-related B2B marketing programs. The study identifies six combinations of these factors for adopting Digital B2B platforms within and across sponsoring organisations and NPOs.Practical implicationsThe study findings would aid cause-related B2B marketers in developing Digital B2B platforms’ capabilities by understanding the different combinations of factors driving adoption. Digital B2B platforms’ capabilities can improve market performance if developed as core competencies.Social implicationsThe study findings would enable improvements in the implementation and performance of cause-related B2B marketing programs. Better management of cause-related B2B marketing programs would help increase beneficiary coverage and the realisation of societal goals.Originality/valueTo the author’s knowledge, this is the first study to apply the TOE framework in conjunction with complexity theory to explain the diffusion of adoption of Digital B2B platforms for managing cause-related B2B marketing programs.

This study investigates the role of digital transformation in enhancing the performance of banks, focusing on how technological advancements have reshaped the banking sector. The research explores various dimensions of digital transformation, including the adoption of digital banking platforms, artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain technology, and big data analytics. By analyzing secondary data from financial reports, industry studies, and case studies of banks that have undergone digital transformation, the study aims to assess the impact of these technologies on operational efficiency, customer experience, and financial performance. Key performance indicators such as cost- to-income ratios, transaction processing times, customer satisfaction levels, and risk management effectiveness are evaluated to understand the overall benefits of digital transformation. The findings reveal that digital transformation significantly enhances bank performance by improving operational efficiency, increasing customer engagement, and driving revenue growth. Specifically, the adoption of digital platforms has streamlined processes, reduced costs, and improved the accuracy of transactions. AI and machine learning have enabled more personalized customer service and effective risk management, while blockchain technology has enhanced transaction security and transparency. The research concludes with recommendations for banks to optimize their digital strategies and overcome these challenges, and suggests areas for further research to explore emerging trends and technologies in the banking sector. Keywords: Digital Transformation, Bank Performance, Financial Technology (Fintech) Artificial Intelligence (AI), Financial Performance Metrics, Technology Adoption

Abstract: Higher education institutions' adoption of digital platforms has grown rapidly in recent years. These platforms have transformed teaching and learning, providing innovative access, engagement and collaboration avenues. The emergence of digital platforms owes much to technological advances and the spread of Internet connectivity, making it easier for universities to utilize digital platforms for education. At the same time, the growing demand for flexible and personalized learning experiences has driven the adoption of digital platforms, which provide anytime, anywhere access to educational resources. However, adopting digital platforms also poses several challenges and important issues. This study aims to explore the role of digital platforms in higher education, focusing on identifying the opportunities they offer and the challenges they face for universities. This research is relevant to a wide range of stakeholders in the higher education sector, providing valuable insights for universities considering or implementing digital platforms and being beneficial to policymakers and educational organizations shaping the future of higher education.

The adoption of digital platforms by MSMEs in Indonesia is still very low. This can be due to the lack of capacity of MSMEs to adapt to digital technology. There are three main problems related to the capacity of MSMEs in dealing with digital platforms, namely financial resources, business operations, and business expansion. The purpose of the research is to analyze the digital platform model that can develop the capacity of MSMEs as business entities, especially related to financial resources, business operations, and business expansion. The research method used is netnography by presenting a new approach to conducting ethical and thorough ethnographic research that combines archival data and online communication, participation and observation, with digital data collection and networks. Informants in this study consisted of digital platform service providers, users, and regulators. There were fourteen informants involved in this study spread across two provinces, namely the Special Capital Region of Jakarta and Banten. Analysis of the data used is conceptually clustered matrices (matrices grouped conceptually) which are arranged to unite the main roles, research subtopics, concepts or themes together for documentation. The results of the study indicate that MSME capacity development in the adoption of digital platforms in terms of financial resources includes access to capital, preparation of financial reports and the use of accounting application platforms. In terms of business operations, it includes Human Resources management, payment systems and logistics management. As for business expansion, it includes digital marketing and online markets.

This volume revolves around a seemingly simple question: What is “digital religion”? In the last several decades we have seen significant changes take place in the ways communication technology is influencing how people practice religion. Take for example the birth and evolution of cyberchurches, from broadcast-style web forums to virtual interactive worship environments. Early cyberchurch entities were often websites set up by independent groups seeking to replicate or mirror some feature of church life online through their design or the resources they offered, such as a scriptorium page of religious texts or a place to leave prayer requests (for example the Virtual Church of the Blind Chihuahua, www.dogchurch.org). Then cyberchurches emerged which tried to emulate aspects of offline church services online by using technologies such as IRC, podcasts or RealAudio players to offer sermons, singing, and limited engagement between congregants (for example, First Church in Cyberspace). With the rise of the virtual world many groups are embracing technologies such as Second Life to create an online worship experience that offers an interactive worship via avatars (for example the Anglican Cathedral in Second Life, or the Church of Fools). Now we see the Internet becoming a tool to extend a church’s offline ministry into online spaces. For instance, we see the rise of Internet campuses within many multisite churches, and webcasting of services via iPhone and Facebook apps (for example LifeChurch.tv) becoming common. Thus, rather then being an alternative social space for a few, digital technology becomes an important platform extending and altering religious practice for many. Yet, while there have been radical changes in communication technology, theterms or frames used to describe these changes and how religion is conceived of within digital culture have not always kept up. The term “digital religion” is used and defined here in order to fill this void, by giving us a new frame for articulating the evolution of religious practice online, as seen in the most recent manifestations of cyberchurches, which are linked to online and offline contexts simultaneously. “Digital religion” does not simply refer to religion as it is performed and articulated online, but points to how digital media and spaces are shaping and being shaped by religious practice. As a concept it allows us to talk about the current state of religion in relation to digital artifacts and the culture in which it is situated. The chapters in this volume address in different ways thecontext and performance of digital religion in the twenty-first century, so that we can take stock of how religious practice has been described, approached, and changed in the last few decades.

PurposeThis paper aims to evaluate the responses taken during the pandemic of COVID-19 in sustaining agricultural activities and safeguarding local food supply via digital platforms by applying the case study method.Design/methodology/approachThis paper uses a case study approach due to its systematic way of collecting data, analysing information and reporting results to understand the particular problem. For this study, secondary data consisting of government reports and documents are used to give a broader understanding of the impact of COVID-19 on the local food system and digital platform for agricultural produce.FindingsThe impact of COVID-19 on the agri-food sector is the move towards a more resilient and sustainable local food system, whereby nations emphasise food security by encouraging local food production. This is done by boosting micro, small and medium enterprises’ (MSME) output, “supporting local” initiatives and leveraging digital platforms and FinTech in business transactions.Research limitations/implicationsThis study highlights that MSMEs’ adoption of digital platforms, particularly in the agri-food sector, demonstrates their willingness to embrace new business models that leverage technological advancements while maintaining the personal touch that attracts customers.Practical implicationsThis study implies that although the pandemic outbreak created prolonged uncertainties with an immediate impact on the economy and ways of doing business transactions, digital platforms and FinTech ensured continuous food supply during the period.Originality/valueThis paper provides initial valuable insight to academics, practitioners and policymakers in agriculture and innovation management. It can be observed that digital platform and FinTech plays an essential role in ensuring safety and undisrupted food supply, especially in the case of fresh produce grown by local small-scale farmers and MSMEs. This creates a more resilient agri-food system and reduces the pressure from the conventional model of food purchase and social distancing requirements.

Previous studies have shown an increasing preference for online communication within the autistic advocacy community. Yet, little is known about how online communication facilitates the formation of autistic identity. This qualitative study examined online autobiographical narratives about repetitive and restricted behaviors-specifically "stimming"-produced by autistic adults. The primary goal of this study was to investigate how the production of, and online interactions around, these narratives functioned as collaborative resources for empowered autistic identities. Nine blog posts were located that contained autobiographical narratives related to stimming and were analyzed using discourse analysis. Analysis revealed that individual and collective identities were negotiated within narratives through: (1) situating the self in relation to other story characters and the reader in varying ways and (2) connecting the autistic community and solidifying collective ideologically aligned voices. Online blog spaces facilitated the emergence and construction of empowered individual and collective identities for autistic individuals. Future research should continue to focus on how autistic individuals form relationships, create advocacy communities, and cultivate empowered identities within online spaces. Why was this study done and what was the purpose of this study?: More autistic individuals are using the internet to communicate, and research has shown that online communication can benefit autistic individuals in various ways. However, there is a lack of understanding of how online communication is related to autistic identity. We examined how autistic bloggers' stories about their stimming experiences contributed to individual and collective autistic identities. Stimming refers to repetitive body movements, movements of objects, and other repetitive and restricted behavior and is considered one of two core features of an autism diagnosis. Although some stakeholders such as educators or parents have tried to get rid of these repetitive movements because they believe that stimming is not an appropriate behavior, autistic and other neurodiversity advocates assert that stimming is beneficial for autistic individuals and is important for developing an autistic identity.What did we do?: We examined nine blog posts written by autistic bloggers using a method referred to as discourse analysis. In each blog post that we analyzed, the author shares their experiences about stimming. Discourse analysis is a method used to explore how people use language to build meaning, including the formation of social identities. Therefore, particular attention was paid to how the bloggers told the narrative (i.e., specific word choices to describe characters within the narrative and verb tense).What were the results and implications of the study?: We found that by sharing stories about their stimming experience in the context of blog posts, autistic individuals developed empowered individual and collective autistic identities and challenged dominant and neurotypical social norms. Also, within online space, autistic individuals formed social relationships and connections that contributed to a collective identity. More research on how autistic individuals develop supportive relationships and form advocacy communities within online spaces is needed to promote emotional well-being and overall quality of life in this population.

Contemporary Islamic thought in da'wah faces major challenges in the digital era, including the rapid development of information technology that affects people's understanding of Islamic teachings and the increasing flow of secular and liberal thought. On the one hand, the digital era provides a great opportunity to spread Islamic values more widely and effectively. This research aims to examine the challenges faced by contemporary Islamic da'wah in the digital era and offer relevant solutions. The research method used is a literature study with a qualitative approach, which analyzes various sources related to Islamic thought, da'wah, and digital technology. The results of the study show that the first challenge faced by Islamic da'wah in the digital era is the shift in communication media. The second challenge is the issue of religious authority in digital da'wah. Digital platforms allow anyone to express their views on religion, including those who do not have an adequate religious education background. To overcome these challenges, contemporary Islamic thought offers several solutions in the context of da'wah in the digital era. The first solution is to develop a more creative and adaptive da'wah approach to technology. The second is the importance of verifying and curating da'wah information in digital media. The implication of this research is that contemporary Islamic thought faces the challenges of digitalization, but also offers innovative da'wah solutions. The wise use of technology can increase the effectiveness of the spread of moderate and relevant Islamic teachings for modern society.

This article examines mediatization and hypermediation in digital religion concerning contemporary Muslim religious practices, particularly in Indonesia, through social media. This study employed a qualitative approach through library study of offline and online sources. The findings reveal that mediatization has altered the way Indonesian Muslims understand and practice their religion. Social media facilitates virtual religious practices and creates a hybrid space between online and offline religious activities. Hypermediation, through platforms such as Instagram and WhatsApp, strengthens individual religious identity and collectively reinforces religious communities. Social media also affects the structure of religious communities by challenging traditional authority through the emergence of popular religious figures in the virtual world. This article contributes significantly to understanding religious transformation in the digital age and is a foundation for further research. The article emphasizes the importance of understanding the social and cultural implications of integrating social media into Muslim religious practices in Indonesia. It highlights the complexity of the relationship between religion, technology, and identity in the current context of digital globalization

Islam in post- reformasi Indonesia is covered by a wide multi-disciplinary literature, in which ‘Islamization’ has gained acceptance as the predominant frame for understanding contemporary developments. Here Islamization is taken to be a move away from an Indonesian Islam that was highly localized and mystical in nature. Adopting an area studies approach, this paper reviews the literature on contemporary Islam in Indonesia and challenges this understanding of Islamization. It is argued that older cultural styles and variations within local Islam have not disappeared, and that, more generally, characterizing the development of Indonesian Islam by using a single label is misleading.

This article examines the conceptual landscape of digital religion studies through the perspective of media and communication research. Over the past two decades, digital religion has developed as an interdisciplinary field that explores how religious practices, identities, communities, and authorities are shaped within the convergence of online and offline spaces. This study employs a conceptual review method, a qualitative approach to literature review in which the researcher surveys various sources related to a perspective or theory and then formulates a conceptual map based on that exploration. The discussion highlights four theoretical frameworks commonly used by scholars with a media studies background: mediatization, mediation, social shaping of technology, and media ecology. Each framework provides a different lens on the interaction between digital media and religious practices—whether emphasizing technological determinism or human agency. The study also maps six key areas of digital religion research: authority, ritual, identity, community, embodiment, and the conceptualization of religion itself. Furthermore, it identifies two major issues for future inquiry. First, the increasingly blurred boundaries between digital and physical spaces call for research on hybrid environments where online and offline religious practices intertwine. Second, the emergence of new technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and immersive virtual reality raises profound ethical and cultural questions regarding the future of religion and human–technology relations. By situating digital religion within the framework of media studies, this article seeks to provide a foundation for scholars, particularly in Indonesia, to contribute to global discourse on religion in the digital era.

<p><span lang="EN-US">This study examines religious phenomena that occur on social media platforms, especially YouTube, Twitter (X), Facebook, Instagram, and Telegram. The platform is a medium for spreading understanding of Salafi thought in Indonesia using a digital ethnographic approach. This article aims to understand the pattern of dissemination, interpretation, and acceptance of Salafi ideas in Indonesian society. The focus of the study includes aspects of content visibility, audience engagement, and ideological models that are raised. Data was obtained from the accounts of Indonesian Salafi figures who have a large following and reach a wide audience. This article focuses on audience engagement indicators such as user interaction, content dissemination and participatory responses analyzed with the theory of religious mediatization and digital religious authority. This study reveals how preachers adjust their da'wah strategies to increase the visibility and legitimacy of religious authority in the online space. This article contributes to the understanding of the relationship between religion and technology and the real impact of digital media on the formation of religious authority and participation in the context of Indonesian Islam.</span></p>

<p>This study examines the discursive contestation surrounding the hadith <em>al-Ḥamw al-Mawt </em>(The in-law is Death) within Indonesian digital Islam. Drawing on Fairclough’s Critical Discourse Analysis approach and Campbell’s theory of <em>Digital Religion</em>, the study analyzes the Instagram-based <em>da‘wah</em> content produced by the account <em>@ismaelkholilie </em>as a site where religious meaning and authority are actively constructed and contested. It argues that the hadith is recontextualized from a classical moral injunction into a digital narrative addressing infidelity, family ethics, and <em>maḥram</em> boundaries in contemporary Muslim households. The findings demonstrate that social media functions not merely as a medium of religious dissemination but as a discursive arena in religious authority negotiated and reconfigured through digital credibility, algorithmic visibility, and audience interactivity. By situating Indonesia as a critical site of digital religious practice, this article contributes to broader debates on religious authority and meaning-making in Digital Islam.</p><p><strong>Keywords: </strong>Digital hadith, infidelity, <em>al-Ḥamw al-Mawt</em>, religious authority, digital religion</p>

This research discusses contemporary Islamic thought in facing the challenges of da'wah in the digital era, which is characterized by the rapid development of technology and changes in people's communication patterns. The main objective of this study is to identify and analyze new approaches in da'wah that are in accordance with the digital context, as well as to reveal the thoughts of contemporary Muslim scholars on da'wah strategies that are effective and relevant to modern society. The research method used is qualitative with a descriptive-analytical approach. Primary data was obtained through in-depth interviews with digital da'wah figures, Muslim scholars, and media practitioners, while secondary data was collected from literature in the form of books, journals, articles, and content analysis from da'wah digital media. Data analysis was carried out with the Miles and Huberman interactive analysis model, which included data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion drawn. The results of the study show that contemporary Islamic thought in answering the challenges of da'wah in the digital era has a common problem. First, the relevance and contextualization of Islamic teachings. Second, the use of digital media for effective da'wah, third, facing the challenges of spreading hoaxes and radicalism, fourth, the importance of moderate and inclusive da'wah, fifth, emphasizing digital literacy and ethics in da'wah, and sixth, the role of scholars and scholars in the development of digital da'wah. The implications ofthis study confirm that contemporary Islamic thought must be adaptive to the challenges of the digital era, utilizing technology for da'wah that is moderate, inclusive, and relevant to the needs of modern society.

Digital media have become central sites for the production, circulation, and negotiation of religious meaning among young Muslims in Indonesia. While existing studies on religion and social media often rely on quantitative indicators of religiosity or focus on isolated platforms, they rarely examine how everyday digital practices function as culturally meaningful religious texts. This study addresses this gap by conceptualizing social media content as a form of popular digital religious literature within the broader Nusantara Islamic literary tradition. Drawing on qualitative digital ethnography and digital literary analysis, the study examines multimodal content produced by Indonesian Muslim youth on platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter/X, including captions, visual Qur’anic quotations, personal narratives, and performative displays of piety. The analysis situates these digital texts within anthropological theories of lived religion, gender, and mediated authority, highlighting how religious identity is constructed through narrative, aesthetics, and platform-specific affordances. The findings show that digital platforms do not merely transmit religious messages but actively reshape religious expression by generating new genres, redefining authorship, and reconfiguring religious authority, particularly in relation to gendered piety. By framing social media practices as platformed religious literature, this study contributes to scholarship on digital religion, Islamic studies, and anthropology by demonstrating how contemporary Indonesian Islam is articulated through hybrid literary forms shaped by both tradition and algorithmic culture.