This study aims to analyze the effect of financial literacy on the financial performance of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) with the utilization of Financial Technology (FinTech) as a moderating variable. The research is grounded in the importance of MSME actors’ ability to manage finances effectively and utilize digital innovation to enhance business competitiveness and sustainability in the digital economy era. A quantitative explanatory approach was employed, involving MSME owners in West Java Province as the study population, with a sample of 400 respondents determined using the Slovin formula at a 5% margin of error. Data were collected through Likert-scale questionnaires and analyzed using Partial Least Squares–Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings show that financial literacy has a positive and significant effect on MSME financial performance, as indicated by an R² value of 0.582. This means that 58.2% of the variation in financial performance is explained by financial literacy and FinTech utilization, while the remaining 41.8% is influenced by other factors outside the model. Moreover, FinTech utilization also has a positive effect on financial performance and moderates the relationship between financial literacy and financial performance. Higher FinTech adoption strengthens the influence of financial literacy on MSME performance. These findings highlight the importance of synergy between financial education and digital technology adoption in promoting financial inclusion and supporting MSME growth in West Java.

Sustainable planning of EV charging infrastructure in urban regions: A hybrid GIS-MCDM approach for West Java, Indonesia

<p><em>Based on data from the Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs, the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) sector in Indonesia reached 64.2 million units and contributed 61.07% to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). West Java Province ranks first with the largest number of MSMEs, including the Jatinangor area which is experiencing rapid growth of MSMEs along with its development as an educational area. However, most MSME players in this region face obstacles in business development due to low financial literacy and limited access to formal financing, such as the People's Business Credit (KUR). Bank Mandiri, as one of the largest KUR channeling banks, has developed digital innovations and strategic partnerships to increase the financial inclusion of MSME players. This study aims to analyse the effect of KUR facilities and financial literacy on the welfare of MSME actors, with business productivity as a mediating variable. The research method used is quantitative with a Partial Least Square - Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) approach. Based on the results of the analysis of data obtained from MSME actors in Jatinangor, it was found that KUR and financial literacy have a direct and significant effect on productivity and welfare. In addition, productivity is proven to mediate the relationship between the two variables and welfare. The results of this study suggest that strengthening access to financing and improving financial literacy are key strategies in encouraging the productivity and welfare of MSMEs in a sustainable manner, especially in semi-urban areas such as Jatinangor.</em></p>

Mapping the landscape of online antibiotic sellers in Indonesia: A study on distribution, regulation, and public health risks.

ABSTRACT This reflective essay examines the pedagogical value of translanguaging between Sundanese and English in an English as a Foreign Language (EFL) classroom in West Java, Indonesia. Drawing on multilingual classroom experiences and relevant theoretical perspectives, the essay argues that translanguaging offers a meaningful alternative to monolingual teaching approaches by validating students’ linguistic and cultural identities while supporting engagement and comprehension. Within the Sundanese–English context, translanguaging enables learners to connect their linguistic resources to facilitate understanding and participation in classroom interaction. The essay outlines the multilingual landscape of West Java, discusses the theoretical foundations of translanguaging, and reflects on how it emerges in classroom practices. It also considers institutional and pedagogical challenges, including English-only ideologies, limited teacher preparation, and the marginalization of local languages. The essay ultimately highlights the importance of flexible multilingual pedagogies that integrate local and global linguistic resources in English language education.

Background: The prevalence of drug abuse in Indonesia reaches approximately 2.40% of the population aged 15–64, or approximately 4.5 million people. Of this number, approximately 2.3 million are school and college students. This high figure is due to the limited access and exposure to information about the dangers of drugs among adolescents. Due to the limited information available to students, education is needed to increase adolescent knowledge about drugs. Providing health education is an important effort in preventing drug abuse from an early age. Objective: To determine the effectiveness of providing health education on the level of knowledge of adolescents about drugs at MA Bina Negara Arjasari, West Java, Indonesia Method: Quantitative research with Quasy Experimental Design One Group Pretest-Posttest Design. The sample technique used total sampling technique with 89 students in grades X and XI. The instruments used in this study were video, power point and knowledge questionnaire with 20 questions. Data analysis used univariate analysis, namely frequency distribution and bivariate analysis using Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test. Result: The results of the study showed that the pre-test scores of most respondents had a low level of knowledge (66.3%) and the post-test scores of almost all respondents had a good level of knowledge (93.9%). The results of the Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test obtained a p-value of 0.000 < 0.05, which means that there is an effect of health education on preventing drug abuse on the level of knowledge of adolescents at MA Bina Negara Arjasari, West Java, Indonesia. Conclusion: The results of this study support the importance of health education programs in schools as a primary strategy in preventing drug abuse among adolescents. Schools are advised to regularly hold interactive and engaging educational programs to equip adolescents with sufficient knowledge to recognize the dangers of drugs and adopt effective preventive measures.

An offshore oil spill near Karawang, West Java, in July 2019 caused a considerable impact on the Pulau Rambut Wildlife Sanctuary, a protected area known for its mangrove ecosystems, which provide crucial habitat for waterbirds in Jakarta Bay. The purpose of this study was to map and quantify land cover types on Rambut Island, as well as examine land cover changes three years after the spill, with a focus on mangrove dynamics. Land cover categorization was performed using the Maximum Likelihood (ML) method applied to remote sensing data from SPOT-6 and SPOT-7 satellite photos for 2019, 2020, and 2021. Ground truthing and drone imagery were used to validate categorization results, and accuracy was determined using the Kappa statistics. All classes had strong levels of agreement, with Kappa values of 85.66%, 81.40%, and 82% in 2019, 2020, and 2021, respectively. Four types of land cover were identified: mangroves, non-mangrove forests, water bodies, and open spaces. Rambut Island has an expected mangrove covering of 18.80 ha in 2019, which increased to 21.15 ha in 2020 before significantly declining to 18.84 ha in 2021. These findings are consistent with field data, in which 12 of 13 MHI (Mangrove Health Index) plots were classed as moderate. This data implies that the 2019 oil spill did not result in a significant or long-term loss in mangrove area on Rambut Island.Keywords: mangrove, maximum likelihood, oil spill, Rambut Island, SPOT-6/7

Democratization in Indonesia is a process that facilitated significant changes at both the national and local levels. Therefore, this research provided an in-depth exploration of the role of village heads during the Indonesian Reform era and analyzed their efforts to perpetuate power. To gain a comprehensive understanding, an extensive library research, intensive field observations, and in-depth interviews were conducted in Subang Regency, West Java. This exploration revealed several key points. Firstly, village heads used government assistance as a means to perpetuate power. Secondly, government assistance not only served as a tool to maintain loyalty but also as a means of influencing voting choices. As a result, village heads became a crucial “electoral asset” for political elites at the district and central levels. Thirdly, village heads did not immediately stop assisting even when they did not support a particular elected regent candidate. They still received government support due to their political network. Theoretically, it was changed the landscape of the patronages from lower scale to the upper of political patronages election in Indonesia and practically also changed the political behavior and electoral perception.

Sustainable Human Resource Management (Sustainable HRM) has emerged as a strategic approach that integrates economic, social, and environmental objectives into organizational HR practices. However, empirical evidence explaining how internal HR mechanisms contribute to Sustainable HRM, particularly within training institutions and cross-sector companies, remains limited. This study aims to examine the influence of a Kaizen-based HR reward system on Sustainable HRM through multiple mediation mechanisms involving employee commitment, employee culture, situational leadership, and employee performance, while also testing the moderating role of employee experience. Using a quantitative explanatory design, data were collected from managerial-level employees across companies in West Java that collaborate with vocational training institutions (LPK “X”). Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was employed to analyze direct, indirect, and moderating effects within the proposed integrative framework. The findings indicate that the reward system significantly influences employee commitment, employee culture, and situational leadership. Employee performance plays a crucial mediating role in strengthening Sustainable HRM implementation. Furthermore, employee experience moderates several relationships within the model, particularly in strengthening the linkage between behavioral factors and performance outcomes. This study contributes theoretically by extending Sustainable HRM literature through the integration of Goal Setting Theory and Kaizen-based HR practices into a comprehensive structural model. Practically, the results provide strategic guidance for organizations in designing adaptive reward systems and fostering sustainable employee development. The findings also offer policy implications for training institutions seeking to enhance long-term workforce sustainability.

Teak-arrowroot agroforestry offers a potential strategy to optimize forest land utilization, while supporting local food security and farmer livelihoods. Arrowroot is a promising tuber crop with nutritional and health potential, but its performance on marginal forest soil remains underexplored. This research examines the optimal use of marginal soil through teak-arrowroot agroforestry, conducted in Parung Panjang Forest Management Unit Section, West Java Province, Indonesia, from November 2023 to August 2024. The research employed a split-plot design with six planting patterns (main plots), and two fertilizer treatments (sub-plot). The results showed no significant difference in teak growth between monoculture and agroforestry patterns. Arrowroots could adapt to the marginal soil, with grown rates of 92-100%. The planting patterns and fertilizer treatments significantly affected arrowroot growth and tuber yield. Teak-arrowroot agroforestry pattern with organic fertilizer produced 260.0 g tuber/clump, significantly higher than unfertilizer treatment (127.1 g tuber/clump). Arrowroot crop contributed positively to soil organic carbon content. Teak-arrowroot agroforestry model produces higher land productivity compared to monoculture of each plant species, with LER value of 1.36. However, the sustainability of arrowroot tuber yield on marginal soil will be greatly affected by fertilizer inputs. Local community already knows the arrowroot crop, but only consumes its tuber for domestic use due to limited post-harvest processing knowledge and skills. Improving local post-harvest processing skills may enhance its economic value. Teak-arrowroot agroforestry on marginal forest soil could maintain and improve soil fertility and organic carbon content compared to a monoculture system.

Background - Facilitator capacity is critical for the effectiveness of community-based early warning systems (CBEWS) in disaster risk reduction. Facilitators serve as intermediaries translating complex hazard data into actionable insights that enable communities to respond effectively to disasters. In Indonesia, where disaster risk is high, facilitators play an essential role in protecting lives and livelihoods at the grassroots level. Urgency of Research - Despite their importance, capacity-building approaches for CBEWS facilitators often employ top-down training methods that fail to engage facilitators as active agents in their own learning. Current programs lack participatory approaches that leverage facilitators' contextual knowledge and experience, undermining the sustainability and relevance of capacity-building initiatives. There is an urgent need for innovative, participatory approaches that position facilitators as co-creators of knowledge. Research Objectives - This study aimed to describe the process and outcomes of implementing participatory action research (PAR) to enhance the capacity of CBEWS program facilitators in nonformal education settings, investigating how PAR supports facilitator understanding of CBEWS concepts, develops contextual and adaptive facilitation skills, cultivates reflective capacity, and identifies enabling and inhibiting factors. Research Method - This qualitative descriptive study was conducted between 2021 and 2024 across seven disaster-prone Indonesian provinces: Central Java, East Java, West Java, Banten, South Kalimantan, Gorontalo, and Bali. Forty-five CBEWS facilitators participated in PAR cycles involving planning, action, observation, and reflection stages. Data were collected through 60+ hours of participatory observation, 20 in-depth interviews, 8 focus group discussions, and document analysis. Thematic analysis was employed to identify patterns and themes. Research Findings - Three dimensions of capacity development emerged: enhanced understanding of CBEWS concepts applicable to specific disaster contexts; improved contextual and adaptive facilitation skills enabling tailoring of approaches to community needs and creation of inclusive learning environments; and cultivated reflective capacity for systematic practice improvement. Enabling factors included institutional support, facilitator openness to learning, and collaborative researcher-facilitator relationships. Inhibiting factors included limited time for reflection, dual roles as implementers and learners, and organizational barriers. Research Conclusion & Novelty - Participatory action research effectively develops facilitator capacity when supported by institutional commitment and multi-year engagement. This approach provides a viable model for community-based disaster risk reduction programs, contributing to both adult learning theory in nonformal education settings and practical disaster risk reduction implementation.

In this study, the physicochemical characteristics of PM2.5 at three different locations in Indonesia were compared during a short-term sampling period, and their association with respiratory diseases was also investigated by analysing aerosol optical thickness (AOT) data from Himawari satellite observations due to the limitation of the PM2.5 field sampling. Bandung city in West Java province, Serpong in Banten province, and Ogan Komering Ilir in South Sumatra province were selected as the study locations, each with distinct characteristics. PM2.5 sampling was conducted for 24 hours in Bandung (1-7 November 2021), 12 hours in OKI (4-7 October 2021), and also 12 hours in Serpong (25-29 July 2022). Morphology and elemental analysis for PM2.5 particle characterization were conducted by using a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) with an Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectrometer (EDS). The water-soluble ion composition was analysed using Ion Chromatography to determine the anion (sulfate, nitrate, chloride) and cation (potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, ammonium) concentrations. To identify the potential source regions contributing to PM2.5 pollution at the sampling site, trajectory analysis using the HySplit model from NOAA was conducted. The average concentration of PM2.5 at Bandung was 87.98 μg/m³ (24 hours), at OKI was 36.31 μg/m³ (12 hours), and at Serpong was 23.53 μg/m³ (12 hours). The morphology analysis revealed spherical, regular, and irregular particles in Bandung, and some soot particles were found in OKI, with a dominance in Serpong. The elements of Mg, Si, S, K, Ca, Cu, and Pb were detected in Bandung, whereas in OKI, the Ca element was not detected. Si, S, Mg, and K were also detected in Serpong. Sulphate, nitrate, and ammonium (SNA) are the most abundant ions found in almost every location. Trajectory analysis revealed that local sources of pollutants dominated Bandung and OKI, while Serpong experienced some long-range transport from other locations.

This research explores the Joyful, Experiential, Meaningful, Personalized, Integrated Technology, and Sustainability Oriented (JEMPITA) learning model as an innovative 21st-century pedagogical approach in Indonesia. This research is grounded in the observation that existing learning models have yet to fully accommodate 21st-century skills such as critical thinking, collaboration, communication, creativity, and technological integration. The JEMPITA model was designed by integrating deep learning theory to create engaging, meaningful, and contextually relevant learning experiences, and has received significant support from both teachers and educational experts. Employing a research and development (R&D) approach, this study adopts the 4D Model (Define, Design, Develop, Disseminate), though it is limited to the defining and designing phases. The research participants consist of Elementary School teachers in West Java, Indonesia. Data were collected through closed- and open-ended questionnaires, interviews, and focus group discussions (FGDs). A needs analysis involving 1,875 respondents indicated a strong demand for a learning model that enhances learning motivation, personalization, technological integration, and sustainability orientation. Among the model’s components, joyful and meaningful factors emerged as the most urgently needed, whereas the primary challenges identified were limited training and inadequate infrastructure. These findings suggest that the JEMPITA model holds strong potential as a transformative approach to primary education that is responsive to 21st-century challenges.

The low interest in reading and the uneven distribution of basic literacy skills among early grade elementary school students indicate the need for a more holistic, contextual, and developmentally responsive learning model. This study aims to develop a literacy model that integrates the principles of 6C, multisensory approaches, and growth mindset. The research employed a Design and Development (D&D) approach, which consisted of the following stages: problem identification, model design, development, trial implementation, and evaluation. The sample comprised 70 first- and second-grade students from four elementary schools located in West Java, DKI Jakarta, and Banten provinces. Data collection techniques included tests, classroom observations, and questionnaires. Quantitative data analysis was carried out through normality testing, t-tests, and descriptive analysis, while qualitative data were analyzed thematically by examining teachers’ observation notes and students’ responses to identify patterns in learning experiences, perceptions, and challenges in implementing the model. The findings reveal that the literacy model developed in this study significantly improved students’ reading and writing literacy skills, with the average gain categorized as moderate. Additional findings emphasize that students became more enthusiastic, willing to take risks, and felt supported through the use of multisensory learning materials. Teachers also reported that the approach facilitated differentiated instruction tailored to students’ needs. Furthermore, the integration of growth mindset encouraged motivation and perseverance in task completion. Overall, the integrated 6C, multisensory, and growth mindset literacy model not only produced significant improvements in learning outcomes but also fostered positive, adaptive, and developmentally appropriate learning experiences for early grade elementary students.

This study investigates the strategic development of sustainable tourism at the Ciletuh Geopark, focusing on how traveler preferences are integrated through Online Travel Agents (OTAs) using a conjoint analysis approach. The research emphasizes the role of OTAs in promoting ecotourism, specifically at the Ciletuh Geopark, a UNESCO Global Geopark located in West Java, Indonesia. The study identifies key attributes of tourism products and OTA features that influence tourists' decisions to visit Ciletuh, including price transparency, competitive pricing, and comprehensive destination information. It also highlights the significance of physical adventure activities, such as trekking, and the natural beauty of Ciletuh's landscapes, particularly its waterfalls, as major factors driving visitor interest. Additionally, the study reveals that infrastructure, such as diverse accommodation options, is essential for enhancing the overall tourist experience and attracting repeat visits. The findings of this study provide valuable insights for tourism managers, local governments, and OTAs, particularly in terms of optimizing marketing strategies, improving tourist engagement, and promoting the sustainable management of the geopark. Furthermore, the research aligns with current trends in digital marketing, which leverage technology to engage tourists, build relationships, and foster loyalty. Overall, this study contributes to the growing body of knowledge on ecotourism and sustainable tourism practices, offering practical recommendations for enhancing the promotion and management of the Ciletuh Geopark as a top-tier tourist destination.

Character education faces unprecedented challenges in Indonesia's disruptive era, where digitalization and socio-cultural shifts threaten the internalization of values ??among the younger generation. West Java Province responded to this with the transformative Gapura Panca Waluya framework—articulated through nine policy steps in Governor's Circular Letter No. 45/PK.03.03/KESRA—to cultivate students who embody cageur (holistic health), bageur (moral excellence), bener (honesty), pinter (intellectual competence), and singer (adaptive agility). Despite its philosophical sophistication, critical gaps remain between policy design and implementation at the school level. This study analyzes the alignment between the Nine Steps policy and its operationalization in elementary schools, identifies contextual factors that influence implementation fidelity, and proposes an adaptive model for character education in the digital age. Using a qualitative descriptive approach with a policy analysis design, this study integrates analysis of national and provincial regulatory documents, 84 hours of non-participant observation in six purposively selected schools in Bekasi Regency, and semi-structured interviews with 24 stakeholders (principals, teachers, parents).

This community service initiative was designed to enhance comprehension amongpremarital adolescents and adult couples at the Javanese Christian Church (GKJ) JatiluhurCongregation in Jakasampurna, Bekasi, West Java, concerning the crucial significance offinancial management and sexual reproductive education. The program concentrated ondisseminating precise and thorough information about reproductive health, encompassingbiological and psychological changes, the prevention of sexually transmitted infections,and the principles of sustaining healthy and responsible sexual conduct. Simultaneously, itemphasized that robust family financial management, which includes budgeting, debtmanagement, establishing shared financial objectives, and preparing emergency funds,constitutes a crucial foundation for couples planning to get married. Employingmethodologies such as interactive counseling, discussions, and question-and-answersessions, the activity ensured participants acquired practical and applicable insights. Theprogram effectively elevated participants' understanding of sexual reproductive health andempowered them to make well-informed decisions regarding both their reproductive healthand sustainable financial management. It is recommended that comparable programs beextended to other religious congregations to bolster marital success holistically.Keywords: financial management, pre-marital, health, reproduction.

Revealing mechanism of phreatic eruptions derived by satellite- and field-based water interactions at Tangkuban Parahu Volcano, West Java, Indonesia

Although digital technology has become increasingly prevalent in early childhood education, particularly in literacy and numeracy instruction, existing research has focused primarily on adoption, attitudes, and effectiveness, leaving a limited empirical understanding of how digital technology is pedagogically positioned within everyday classroom practice. To address this gap, this qualitative multi-site study examines how early childhood teachers enact and regulate digital pedagogical strategies for literacy and numeracy instruction across diverse formal and non-formal early childhood education institutions in West Java, Indonesia. Drawing on classroom observations, instructional documents, and semi-structured interviews with 43 early childhood teachers, the study employed inductive thematic analysis to identify dominant pedagogical patterns shaping digital practice. The findings identify five interrelated patterns: the positioning of digital technology as an engagement-oriented instructional entry point; substitution-based digital use without pedagogical redesign; reliance on informal assessment and digital documentation; limited formal professional guidance alongside peer-based support; and emerging strategic needs for more pedagogically grounded digital instruction. Collectively, the findings demonstrate that teachers’ digital practices are shaped less by technological availability than by pedagogical judgment, developmental considerations, and institutional conditions. This results in digital tools being positioned as supportive, time-limited resources rather than as central drivers of literacy and numeracy learning. The study contributes theoretically by conceptualizing digital technology use as a form of pedagogical positioning within a bounded instructional ecology, and practically by identifying strategic gaps with implications for teacher education, institutional guidance, and policy development in early childhood digital literacy and numeracy instruction.

Fishing activities in Indramayu ( a seaside city in West Java) typically use boats powered by propellers. These propellers often strike floating objects, resulting in damage such as cracked or broken blades. A survey revealed that the fractures are mainly caused by the poor quality of propellers produced using the gravity casting technique, which results in rough surfaces with pores and cracks that initiate during finishing. Therefore, surface repair is necessary, and one potential method is hardcoat anodizing. This study aims to investigate the effect of coating time and anode–cathode distance on the hardness of the oxide layer formed during the hardcoat anodizing process of AA7075 aluminum alloy. The anode–cathode distances were 5 cm, 10 cm, and 15 cm, with coating times of 40, 50, and 60 minutes. The process was conducted at 2 to 3°C, with a current of 5.12 A and a voltage of 31.5 V. The results of micro-Vickers hardness testing, conducted with a loading parameter of 200 gf and an indentation time of 15 seconds, indicated a hardness increase of 256% compared to the base material. The highest hardness value was achieved at a distance of 5 cm and a coating time of 60 minutes, measuring 322.9 VHN, with a resulting layer thickness of 67.16 µm.