Many African countries are facing severe debt distress amid growing competition between the Western-dominated economic order and an emerging Chinese-led order shaped by the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and China’s development banks. The weakening authority of traditional multilateral institutions particularly the International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and World Trade Organization has complicated debt resolution efforts, especially as China has become a major creditor whose cooperation is increasingly essential. Drawing on existing international datasets, this study examines how these competing economic orders address the debt challenges of highly indebted African states. It finds that BRI-related lending has contributed to unsustainable debt levels in several countries, with four African states unable to meet their repayment obligations, a significant share of which is owed to Chinese lenders. Zambia is examined as a case study, illustrating how limited coordination between China and Bretton Woods institutions prolonged the debt restructuring process. The analysis highlights how tensions between rival international financial frameworks hinder effective debt resolution. The study further considers the potential emergence of alternative or hybrid governance arrangements involving actors such as BRICS, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and the European Union (EU), aimed at reinforcing a rule-based international economic order. Such arrangements could improve debt management, support debt-stressed countries, and promote stable trade and capital flows. This research contributes to the literature by linking the interaction between Western and Chinese economic orders to contemporary African debt crises.

Traditionally, financial institutions have been the trusted place to hold funds in a safe and sound environment where consumers and nonconsumers receive products and services to maintain their financial well-being. Financial technology (FinTech) companies have emerged as a major alternative to traditional banking for many consumers, according to an October 2023 report by McKinsey & Company.1 These FinTechs, however, still need to rely on traditional financial institutions to provide their path to the payment channels through the Federal Reserve System. These relationships with third parties offering products and services to consumers bring opportunities for large deposits but also expose them to risks that require strategic risk management programmes. This paper explores these third-party relationships, how they function, the evolving automated clearinghouse (ACH) risk management requirements from the National Automated Clearing House Association (Nacha), mitigation controls to reduce related risks and recommended measures for the industry to strengthen the financial system and reduce fraud losses. This article is also included in The Business & Management Collection which can be accessed at https://hstalks.com/business/.

ABSTRACT Scholars studying national movements in the late Russian Empire acknowledge Alikhan Bokeikhan as a leader of the Kazakh national intelligentsia, or the Alash movement. Historians also praise Bokeikhan as a scholar of the socio-economic life of modern Kazakh nomads. However, they do not appreciate his historical works enough, especially those from the earlier period of his career, before Bokeikhan became a nationalist speaker. This study examines Bokeikhan’s early works, revealing his initial acceptance of colonial narratives, which earned him some cultural capital through scholarly expertise, and his eventual adoption of anti-colonial rhetoric. By analysing Bokeikhan’s writings, the paper seeks to contribute to a deeper understanding of the intellectual roots of Kazakh nationalism and the development of Kazakh national identity. While he shares a primordial notion of Kazakh nomads, he also challenges traditional institutions of the past that he views as the root of the social problems of the present; at the same time, he uses the glorified past as a reference to the decadent present. These narratives appear as a lab for his political transition away from imperial loyalism to nation-building, with the works around the Revolution of 1905 highlighting the sharp shift in discourse.

This study aims to analyze how curriculum is managed and enacted in a traditional pesantren and how these practices function as mechanisms for regulating knowledge, power relations, and the formation of santri character. The study employs a qualitative, ethnographic research design, with data collected through long-term participant observation, in-depth interviews with kiai, ustadz, santri, and pesantren administrators, and the analysis of relevant supporting documents. The findings reveal that the curriculum at PPMH Sidayu is not structured through formal written plans or organizational frameworks. Instead, it operates through informal, everyday learning practices such as pengajian kitab, the bandongan and sorogan methods, oral evaluations, and institutionalized forms of social habituation. The selection and distribution of learning materials, evaluation mechanisms, and managerial coordination occur informally and are accepted as part of the taken-for-granted institutional order. These practices not only transmit religious knowledge but also shape learning dispositions, acceptance of authority, and the social character of santri through affective experiences and social relations. The novel contribution of this study lies in its exploration of the pesantren curriculum as a social practice that operates through symbolic power relations and habituation rather than formal pedagogical structures. This research provides a deeper understanding of curriculum management in traditional Islamic educational institutions, suggesting that it should be seen as a flexible, socially embedded process, influenced more by symbolic authority and informal coordination than formal administrative systems. These findings have significant implications for curriculum studies and Islamic educational management within traditional religious institutions.

Abstract Open finance initiatives are emerging worldwide, yet stakeholders are still lagging in achieving full adoption. Within the financial sector, data democratization is heralded as a novel paradigm facilitating data valorization initiatives that drive innovation and competition. However, there is a scarcity of managerial exploration of these concepts, and limited studies intersect them to uncover the necessities of an open finance ecosystem. This study, based on a systematic literature review of 97 documents from 2000 to 2023 and a qualitative survey of 207 decision-makers from financial companies, identifies the core principles of open finance, data democratization, and strategic data democratization within an open finance ecosystem. The findings produce a data democratization framework, emphasizing practical implications for various data stakeholders (regulators, traditional financial institutions, fintech startups, techfin companies, customers, technology developers, and nonfinancial third parties) and the ecosystem performance. Senior managers are provided with data democratization initiatives (processes, culture, capabilities, and governance) and collaborative strategies to enhance financial and nonfinancial performance in the short and long term within an open finance ecosystem. Policymakers could establish guidelines for data democratization to further stimulate innovation and competition. The study's novelty lies in its strategic approach to data democratization, enabling data stakeholders to develop synergies and coevolve within an innovative and competitive open finance ecosystem.

This study examines the effectiveness of a local wisdom-based tourism development approach as a strategy to enhance community income growth while ensuring cultural and environmental sustainability. The research employs a descriptive qualitative method, utilizing findings from Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and a case study conducted in Southwest Sumba Regency. The research concludes that the key to success lies in synergistic collaboration among the community, local government, and the private sector, with a focus on local community sovereignty. Tourism will achieve maximum effectiveness when communities and traditional institutions are elevated from passive objects to active agents controlling tourism potential. This can be realized through: (1) Increasing equitable economic welfare, measured by the growth in turnover of small businesses (such as homestays and crafts) and job creation; (2) Preserving culture and traditional values, where traditional rules serve as operational standards and tools for socio-cultural governance; and (3) Synergistic and transparent governance, supported by strengthening the capacity of Pokdarwis and BUMDes. The primary implication of this research is that recognizing communities as the principal custodians of cultural and natural resources transforms tourism from a mere revenue generator into an effective tool for preserving traditions, supported by direct community incentives and responsibilities. The sustainability of this model relies heavily on the proactive role of local governments as facilitators and the engagement of a responsible private sector committed to local empowerment.

This study investigates the influence of mobile banking and service quality on customer satisfaction among Generation Z at the Idrisiyyah Islamic Boarding School in Tasikmalaya. The rapid development of digital technology in the financial sector has led to the widespread use of mobile banking as an accessible and efficient platform for conducting banking transactions. Generation Z, having grown up in a digital environment, exhibits strong preferences for banking services that are fast, easy to use, and technologically integrated. At the same time, the quality of service—such as responsiveness, reliability, and security—remains a key determinant of customer satisfaction, even within traditional educational institutions like Islamic boarding schools. This research employed a quantitative approach using a survey method, with a sample of 100 Generation Z students selected from the Idrisiyyah Islamic Boarding School. The data were analyzed using multiple linear regression to assess the individual and joint effects of mobile banking and service quality on customer satisfaction. The results show that mobile banking has a positive and significant partial effect on satisfaction, indicating that ease of use, functionality, and personalization features are highly valued by young users. Furthermore, service quality demonstrated a dominant and statistically significant influence on satisfaction, especially in terms of responsiveness and assurance. Simultaneously, both variables together were found to significantly affect satisfaction levels, reinforcing the importance of integrating high-quality service delivery with digital innovations. The study concludes that improvements in both digital banking applications and service delivery are essential for meeting the expectations of young digital-native customers. Practically, banks should focus on upgrading technical features while also ensuring consistent and empathetic service interactions. Theoretically, the findings contribute to the existing literature by highlighting how user satisfaction is shaped in religious-based educational settings through a combination of digital convenience and service excellence

The study is devoted to substantiating a new integrated model of development of Ukrainian communities based on the concept of Humanity 5.0, which combines spiritual, intellectual, social and economic dimensions of development. The relevance of the work is determined by the deep transformations that Ukrainian communities are experiencing in the conditions of war losses, demographic crisis, changes in social practices, weakening of traditional institutions and the need to form a new culture of coexistence, cooperation and solidarity. An analysis of modern Ukrainian and European approaches to community development (LEADER, integrated strategies, public participation models) revealed the need to develop systemic solutions focused on the development of human potential, spiritual and mental health of society and strengthening cooperative forms of the economy. The work summarizes the theoretical and methodological principles of the Humanity 5.0 model, which considers a person as a creator, co-creator and bearer of dignity, and the community as a space for revealing talents, forming trust, responsibility and social unity. Special attention is paid to the analysis of the state and challenges of the Valkivska urban territorial community, which became a pilot for the implementation of the integral model. Based on demographic, social, economic and cultural-educational research, the need for creating a comprehensive project for the development of human potential, covering the spiritual, intellectual, mental, cultural and socio-economic levels, is substantiated. The article presents the structure and content of the project “Valkivska community — integral community of Humanity 5.0”, which consists of four systemic areas: the formation of human potential, the development of integral health, the construction of a cooperative economy and the implementation of innovative and digital solutions. The leading project “Formation of creative human potential”, focused on spiritual and intellectual education and the creation of a new culture of interaction in the community, is presented in detail. The priority projects of this systemic project: “Community through the Eyes of Children”, “My Place of Strength”, “Vision of the Valkiv Community 2035–2045”, “Development of Cooperative Culture”, "Development of the "Valkiv Open University for the Development of Integral Communities of Humanity 5.0" are aimed at developing spiritual identity, intergenerational dialogue, social interaction, creativity and integral thinking. The conditions for the successful implementation of the model are analyzed: a culture of trust, horizontal and vertical cooperation, facilitated dialogues, open spaces of creativity, leadership of service and community development assessment indices. It is proven that a comprehensive integral approach, based on the values of dignity, solidarity and responsibility, can become the basis of a long-term strategy for the sustainable development of Ukrainian communities and contribute to the restoration of the country on new civilizational principles. The experience of the Valkiv community proves that creative human potential is the driving force of integral development and can become a model of humanistic progress for other communities in Ukraine.

Global cultural disruption and hedonistic lifestyles are triggering the moral degradation of the younger generation, necessitating a revitalization of the role of traditional institutions as bastions of values. This study aims to describe the community-based Hindu character education strategy in the Kerobokan Traditional Village, Buleleng, and analyze the process of internalizing these values ​​in the digital era. Applying qualitative methods with a descriptive-analytical approach, data collection was conducted through participatory observation of pasraman (traditional market) activities and ceremonies, in-depth interviews with village leaders (prajuru) and youth, and a documentary study of customary law (awig-awig). The results indicate that the implementation of character education takes place within an adaptive sociocultural ecosystem: the community functions as a More Knowledgeable Other, providing scaffolding through the Ngayah tradition; the implementation of anti-drug regulations (Pararem) as a critical cultural action to break the culture of silence, and the use of the Nyekar ritual as a participatory medium that instills egalitarian values. It concludes that the traditional village has successfully transformed from merely a guardian of tradition into an effective non-formal educational institution that balances physical rituals and communication technology. This study provides a scientific contribution in the form of a local wisdom-based pedagogical model that integrates the perspectives of social psychology, critical pedagogy, and media theory to strengthen national cultural identity.

This article presents a theoretical analysis of the digital socialization of student youth in the context of the transformation of higher education. Based on comparative and conceptual analysis, key paradigms for understanding this process–instrumentalist and transformative–are identified, and the author offers a definition of the phenomenon as a hybrid process determined by traditional institutions and an algorithmic internet environment. Three dimensions of socialization (cognitive, communicative, and identification), their principles, and factors are revealed. Digital competence is viewed as a result of socialization–a dynamic system of cognitive, operational, and valuereflexive skills. A gap between students' consumer practices and professional competencies is identified, and the need for innovative educational approaches is substantiated.

This study employed agent-based modelling to evaluate how POS agents can be optimized for disbursing nano-credits to market women in Nigeria. A simulation model was developed to capture the interactions among three key actors: Market Women (borrowers), POS Agents (lenders), and Regulatory institutions (oversight). The model included unique behavioural parameters such as transaction-based trust scoring, social collateral mechanisms, and adaptive loan pricing. The ABM framework showed that POS agents could achieve greater financial inclusion for low-income market women compared to traditional financial institutions. Liquidity recycling is likely to be efficient because repaid funds are successfully redeployed, creating a sustainable nano-credit ecosystem without external capital injections. Regulatory interventions like interest caps support liquidity mechanisms and help maintain agent viability. The study recommended a positive cycle of high loan approval and disbursement rates, high repayment, liquidity recycling, and regulatory support to sustain nano-credits and promote financial inclusion in Nigeria. It also advocated policies and initiatives that leverage POS agent networks for nano-credits within Nigeria’s National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS).

This study investigates the mental health impacts of war in Libya, with a focus on the prevalence and severity of PTSD symptoms. It aims to understand how PTSD manifests across different sociodemographic groups, examining symptoms such as re-experiencing, avoidance, and hyperarousal. The research sampled 652 individuals aged 18 to 65 from various Libyan cities, using electronic questionnaires over 18 months. Results indicate significant differences in PTSD symptoms by gender, with women reporting more avoidance symptoms than men. Additionally, individuals in major conflict zones exhibited more severe re-experiencing and avoidance symptoms compared with those in less affected areas. The study also found that highly educated individuals showed higher levels of hyperarousal, which suggests a complex relationship between education level and stress responses. The findings highlight the need for culturally sensitive social work interventions in mental health tailored to the diverse needs of different demographic groups. Such interventions should leverage local resources and traditional family institutions to enhance resilience and recovery. The study emphasizes the importance of targeted social work interventions in postconflict scenarios to facilitate long-term societal integration and peace building in regions dealing with the psychological aftermath of conflict.

The evolution of agenda-setting theory, from its classical foundations to contemporary reinterpretations, highlights how the logic of public visibility has been reshaped by digitalization and artificial intelligence. While in the traditional paradigm media institutions and journalists acted as the main gatekeepers of news selection and prioritization, today this function is increasingly performed by digital platforms and algorithms. In algorithmically driven information flows, visibility is no longer the sole outcome of editorial decisions but the product of automated processes of personalization, micro-targeting, and "algorithmic gatekeeping". These mechanisms generate ambivalent effects. They enhance relevance for users while simultaneously fragmenting public discourse, fueling polarization, and reducing pluralism. Ethical considerations become crucial, since algorithms are not neutral and may reproduce biases, subtly shaping collective perceptions and democratic processes. The article concludes with the concept of Agenda-Setting 4.0, defined by hyperconnectivity, personalization, and algorithmic control, where the key challenge is balancing technological innovation, democratic pluralism, and communication ethics.Keywords: algorithms, information flow, artificial intelligence, mass media, public

This study examines the transformation of Islamic education in Indonesia through comprehensive analysis of policies, implementation, and challenges in globalization and democratization era. Using systematic literature review of 22 selected scientific publications from 2023-2024, this research identifies dynamics of change in Indonesian Islamic education system from elementary to tertiary levels. Key findings indicate Indonesian Islamic education undergoes fundamental transformation in four dimensions: (1) reform of policies and legal frameworks, (2) innovation of Islamic higher education paradigms, (3) modernization of Islamic boarding schools and traditional institutions, and (4) integration of religious moderation and democratic values. Despite significant progress, challenges remain in policy implementation, professionalism of Quranic teachers, and adaptation to global change. This study recommends holistic approach to Islamic education development that integrates tradition with modernity, strengthens educational supervision, and develops spiritual framework for younger generation Muslims.

In the era of information overload and the fragmentation of the media space, the concepts of truth and trust are in the throes of a revolutionary change. ‘Post-truth’, 2016 Oxford Dictionary’s Word of the Year, means “relating to or denoting circumstances in which objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief” (Oxford Languages, 2016). As a result of this, a crisis of epistemic authority is occurring, and many sources of truth are coming under challenge. The processes of misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation have become commonplace in the digital age and changed the way people perceive the world, obtain and process information, and trust in the institutions. The objective of this paper is to explore the paradoxical relationship between truth and trust in an age of information abundance, where people have access to an ever-growing supply of information, but the actual knowledge is fragmentary. By combining the philosophical, psychological, technological, sociological, and political approaches to the post-truth concept, the paper will aim to provide a better understanding of the phenomenon as well as of its causes and consequences for the concept of truth and loss of trust in traditional institutions. It will also try to determine the best possible way to regain some amount of integrity of information in the current state of the world.

The digital disruption era has brought significant challenges to traditional educational institutions, including Islamic boarding schools (Pesantren), particularly regarding the erosion of moral values and the shift in charismatic authority. This study explores the survival and adaptation strategies of PP Darussalam Blokagung in facing these challenges, focusing on the synergy between intellectual reasoning and spiritual fortitude. The purpose of this research is to analyze how the Kyai (religious leaders) construct critical thinking through traditional methods and build spiritual resilience as a mental shield for students against the negative impacts of digitalization. This study employs a qualitative descriptive method with a case study approach, utilizing observations and interviews at PP Darussalam Blokagung. The findings reveal that the Kyai implement a "Critical Dialectics" strategy through the Bahtsul Masa’il tradition to filter information based on Maqasid al-Shari'ah. Furthermore, spiritual resilience is constructed through consistent wirid practices and the cultivation of qana’ah (contentment), which effectively mitigates the psychological pressure of digital disruption. Finally, the transformation of charismatic leadership into the digital realm ensures that the Kyai’s authority remains relevant and influential in cyberspace. This study concludes that the integration of classical intellectualism and Sufistic values forms a robust framework for Pesantren to navigate modern disruption without losing its traditional identity

The fast growth of Financial Technology (FinTech) has brought major changes to the global banking sector. To remain competitive in an increasingly digital environment, traditional banks are progressively incorporating FinTech solutions to enhance operational efficiency and improve customer experience. This study examines the impact of FinTech innovations on the performance of conventional banks and customer satisfaction levels. Using secondary data obtained from academic journals, industry reports, and published studies, the research evaluates the role of digital banking technologies such as mobile banking, artificial intelligence, blockchain, and electronic payment systems in shaping banking efficiency and customer perceptions. The findings suggest that the adoption of FinTech has a positive impact on bank performance by reducing operational costs, improving service quality, and enhancing customer satisfaction. Despite these advantages, challenges related to cybersecurity, regulatory compliance, and unequal access to digital services continue to pose significant concerns. The study concludes that the effective and strategic integration of FinTech innovations is vital for the long-term sustainability and growth of traditional banking institutions.

This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the role of Islamic social finance in enhancing the economic resilience of Islamic boarding schools during the post-pandemic era. Employing a qualitative multiple-case study design, data were meticulously collected through in-depth interviews, participant observations, and extensive documentary analysis from three preeminent Islamic boarding schools. The findings reveal that Islamic social finance instruments encompassing Zakat, Infaq, Sadaqah, and Waqf (ZISWAF), alongside Islamic boarding schools-led business initiatives, were strategically deployed to mitigate the profound economic shocks precipitated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Three primary mechanisms were identified: financial cushioning during acute operational disruptions, entrepreneurial adaptation through innovative business model restructuring, and community empowerment via targeted socio-economic programs. The synergistic integration of Islamic social finance with Islamic boarding schools’ business enterprises was found to be a critical determinant of institutional sustainability, enabling the preservation of educational continuity and the enhancement of community welfare. This study contributes a novel conceptual model of Islamic social finance-mediated resilience, which demonstrates how religiously-grounded financial mechanisms empower traditional institutions to navigate contemporary crises through a strategic fusion of spiritual capital, social networks, and entrepreneurial acumen.

This article examines the shifting role of women in Minangkabau society, the world's largest matrilineal Muslim community, where contemporary dynamics challenge traditional institutional structures and value systems. This research analyzes how social mobility, migration, and institutional changes affect Minangkabau women's position as Bundo Kanduang, situating findings within comparative perspectives on matrilineal Muslim communities in majority and minority contexts. The research employed a phenomenological approach involving observation, in-depth interviews with 40 informants across five West Sumatra districts (Tanah Datar, Agam, Lima Puluh Kota, Padang Pariaman, Solok), and document analysis. Data interpretation centered on women's lived experiences to understand institutional and value transformation dynamics. Results reveal women's roles shifted from collective matrilineal responsibilities to nuclear family focus, driven by external factors (globalization, education, inter-ethnic marriage) and internal factors (value reinterpretation, institutional desacralization). Traditional institutions like Rumah Gadang and Bundo Kanduang organizations experienced functional decline. Comparative analysis demonstrates that Minangkabau women in majority Muslim contexts navigate internally-driven changes with substantial adaptive space for syncretic shariah-adat negotiation, while matrilineal Muslim minorities face intense external pressures from dominant patrilineal legal frameworks, resulting in accelerated institutional transformation with constrained individual agency. Role transformation results from complex global-local interactions, with adaptation mechanisms differing systematically between majority and minority contexts. These findings illuminate Islamic family law's differential flexibility across socio-political settings and provide crucial insights for developing culturally sensitive policies supporting matrilineal Muslim communities navigating modernization pressures globally.

This study examines a zakat governance model that aligns with the socio-cultural context of Minangkabau by integrating ABS–SBK values, traditional nagari institutions, and the state’s administrative framework. Although Indonesia’s zakat system is centralized and emphasizes formal accountability, this approach often fails to accommodate the strong social capital and adat-based deliberative traditions that characterize Minangkabau society. Through a literature review and analysis of documented ethnographic studies, the research identifies key mismatches between formal zakat mechanisms and nagari-based practices, particularly in terms of social legitimacy, the accuracy of mustahik identification, and the administrative capacity of local institutions. The findings indicate that nagari institutions possess cultural legitimacy and deep community knowledge, yet require state support to strengthen administrative procedures and reporting systems. Synthesizing governance, decentralization, ABS–SBK, and social capital theories, this study proposes a hybrid zakat governance model that includes formal recognition of nagari roles, establishment of Nagari Zakat Offices, coordination through Regional Zakat Forums, adaptive accountability, and digital transparency tools. This model is expected to enhance the effectiveness, legitimacy, and sustainability of zakat governance in Minangkabau