Smart Santri Management: The Digitalisation of Human Resources in Islamic Boarding Schools for Global Competitiveness

Abstract

This study aims to analyse the implementation of Smart Santri Management through the digitalisation of human resources (HR) at the Darussalam Blokagung Islamic Boarding School, as well as its impact on the development of globally competitive human capital, particularly in terms of teachers’ professionalism and graduates’ digital competencies. The research employs a qualitative approach using a case study design. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with 18 informants (leaders, teachers and educational staff), direct observation of the digital system, and a review of documentation. The research findings indicate that the implementation of Smart Santri Management has evolved into a strategy for building global human capital, characterised by: electronic human resource management (E-HRM) for accountability; smart santri learning that integrates Salaf teachings with digital literacy; and data-driven decision-making. These efforts foster a global mindset and enhance graduates’ competitiveness through digital portfolios, which balance religious traditions with global technical competencies. The contribution of this research lies in a model for the implementation of HR digitalisation in Islamic boarding schools. The limitations of the research lie in its single-case study scope, meaning the results cannot be generalised to other boarding schools, and the absence of long-term quantitative measurement of improvements in graduates’ competitiveness