Developing student-led digital entrepreneurship startups in Islamic boarding schools to achieve economic independence aligned with Sustainable Development Goals
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61492/sadana.V1i1.18Keywords:
: Economic Independence, Digitalization, SDGs, Santripreneurship, Start-up Business ModelAbstract
This study aims to examine how digital entrepreneurship among Islamic boarding school students facilitates the development of startup business models oriented towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to promote economic independence in Islamic boarding schools in Indonesia. Using a multi-case qualitative study approach, data were collected through in-depth interviews, participatory observation, and analysis of institutional documents at two Islamic boarding schools undergoing economic transformation. The findings show that digitalization alone does not automatically result in economic independence; digital tools play a strategic supporting role only if they are integrated into institutionalized entrepreneurial capabilities and value creation mechanisms that are aligned with the SDGs. The study highlights the importance of visionary leadership and the integration of Islamic values (Amanah, Fathonah, Siddiq, Tabligh) in shaping a self-reliant ecosystem. Through the application of a circular economy and the optimization of productive waqf and ZISWAF, Islamic boarding schools can create an integrated business model capable of financing quality education for free and empowering the surrounding community. This research produced the Digital Santripreneur Ecosystem Model, which combines digital infrastructure, micro-fundamental capabilities, and SDG-based business model innovation. This transformation proves that religious-based institutions in developing countries can become competitive sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystems in the digital era.
Downloads
References
Adomako, Samuel, & Nguyen, Nguyen Phong. (2024). Responsible entrepreneurship, social innovation, and entrepreneurial performance: Does commitment to SDGs matter? Business Strategy and the Environment, 33 (5), 4887–4900. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.3733
Atobishi, Thabit, & Mansur, Hasan. (2025). Bridging Digital Divides: Validating Government ICT Investments Accelerating Sustainable Development Goals. Sustainability, 17 (5), 2191. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17052191
Audretsch, David Bruce, Belitski, Maksim, Eichler, Georg Maximilian, & Schwarz, Erich. (2023). Entrepreneurial ecosystems, institutional quality, and the unexpected role of the sustainability orientation of entrepreneurs. Small Business Economics, 62 (2), 503–522. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11187-023-00763-5
Cai, Wenjun, Gu, Jibao, & Wu, Jianlin. (2021). How Entrepreneurship Education and Social Capital Promote Nascent Entrepreneurial Behaviors: The Mediating Roles of Entrepreneurial Passion and Self-Efficacy. Sustainability, 13 (20), 11158. https://doi.org/10.3390/su132011158
Camodeca, Renato, & Almici, Alex. (2021). Digital Transformation and Convergence toward the 2030 Agenda’s Sustainability Development Goals: Evidence from Italian Listed Firms. Sustainability, 13 (21), 11831. https://doi.org/10.3390/su132111831
Espina-Romero, Lorena, Ríos Parra, Doile, Gutiérrez Hurtado, Humberto, Peixoto Rodriguez, Egidio, Arias-Montoya, Francisco, Noroño-Sánchez, José Gregorio, Talavera-Aguirre, Rosa, Ramírez Corzo, Javier, & Vilchez Pirela, Rafael Alberto. (2024). The Role of Digital Transformation and Digital Competencies in Organizational Sustainability: A Study of SMEs in Lima, Peru. Sustainability, 16 (16), 6993. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16166993
Firk, Sebastian, Hennig, Jan C., Meier, Julian, & Wolff, Michael. (2024). Institutional entrepreneurship and digital transformation: The role of outsider CEOs. Strategic Organization, 23 (3), 426–452. https://doi.org/10.1177/14761270241242905
Huang, Yang, & Lau, Chau Wa. (2024). Can digital transformation promote the green innovation quality of enterprises? Empirical evidence from China. PLOS ONE, 19 (3), e0296058. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0296058
Langseth, Inger, Jacobsen, Dan Yngve, & Haugsbakken, Halvdan. (2022). The Role of Support Units in Digital Transformation: How Institutional Entrepreneurs Build Capacity for Online Learning in Higher Education. Technology, Knowledge and Learning, 28 (4), 1745–1782. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10758-022-09620-y
Ma’Arif, Samsul, Ahmadi, Ahmadi, Dzikrulloh, Dzikrulloh, & Muna, Naily El. (2023). Pesantren Entrepreneurship: Harmonization of the Theories of Kasb Asy’ariyah and Locus of Control on Strengthening Santripreneur. QIJIS (Qudus International Journal of Islamic Studies), 11 (1), 31. https://doi.org/10.21043/qijis.v11i1.17404
Martínez-Peláez, Rafael, Escobar, Marco A., Félix, Vanessa G., Ostos, Rodolfo, Parra-Michel, Jorge, García, Vicente, Ochoa-Brust, Alberto, Velarde-Alvarado, Pablo, Félix, Ramón A., Olivares-Bautista, Sandra, Flores, Víctor, & Mena, Luis J. (2024). Sustainable Digital Transformation for SMEs: A Comprehensive Framework for Informed Decision-Making. Sustainability, 16 (11), 4447. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16114447
Mashuri, Saepudin, Futaqi, Sauqi, & Sulhan, Ahmad. (2024). SPIRITUAL BASE OF PESANTREN FOR BUILDING MULTICULTURAL AWARENESS IN INDONESIA CONTEXT. Islamic Science Journal Futura, 24 (1), 1. https://doi.org/10.22373/jiif.v24i1.17141
Maulana, Rizky, Alhidayatullah, Alhidayatullah, & Setiadi, Sandi. (2025). MSME Sustainability Strategy Through the Application of Digital Marketing and Product Innovation in the VUCA Era: A Study of SMEs in Sukabumi City. International Journal of Economics, Management and Accounting (IJEMA), 3 (4 SE-Articles), 366–383. https://doi.org/10.47353/ijema.v3i4.346
Moghrabi, Issam A. R., Bhat, Sameer Ahmad, Szczuko, Piotr, Alkhaled, Rawan A., & Dar, Muneer Ahmad. (2023). Digital Transformation and Its Influence on Sustainable Manufacturing and Business Practices. Sustainability, 15 (4), 3010. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15043010
Nam, Jung Min, Lee, Sungho, & Kang, Jae Hyeung. (2023). Multilevel Analysis of the Effect of Corporate Entrepreneurship and Learning Capabilities on the Attitudes of Key Personnel in Small and Medium Enterprises in Korea: The Moderating Effect of Social Capital. Sage Open, 13 (2), 215824402311755. https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440231175585
Nygaard, Sofie, Kokholm, Alberte R., & Huulgaard, Rikke D. (2022). Incorporating the sustainable development goals in small- to medium-sized enterprises. Journal of Urban Ecology, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.1093/jue/juac022
Pereira, João, Rodrigues, Ricardo Gouveia, & Veiga, Pedro Mota. (2024). Entrepreneurship among Social Workers: Implications for the Sustainable Development Goals. Sustainability, 16 (3), 996. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16030996
Rosati, Francesco, Rodrigues, Vinicius P., Cosenz, Federico, & Li‐Ying, Jason. (2022). Business model innovation for the Sustainable Development Goals. Business Strategy and the Environment, 32 (6), 3752–3765. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.3334
Setiadi, Sandi, Widyastuti, Sri, Zulkifli, & Darmansyah. (2025). Sustainable nature tourism transformation: The strategic role of green tourism in West Java. Edelweiss Applied Science and Technology, 9 (3), 1544–1569. https://doi.org/10.55214/25768484.v9i3.5599
Suwendi, Suwendi, Gama, Cipta Bakti, Farabi, Muhammad Fawwaz Farhan, Fuady, Farkhan, & Arman, Arman. (2024). ROLES AND CHALLENGES OF PESANTREN INTELLECTUAL NETWORKS. Futura Islamic Scientific Journal, 24 (2), 453. https://doi.org/10.22373/jiif.v24i2.23134
Tunçalp, Deniz, & Yıldırım, Nihan. (2022). Sustainable Entrepreneurship: Mapping the Business Landscape for the Last 20 Years. Sustainability, 14 (7), 3864. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14073864
Umoru, Ugbede, Ogundana, Oyedele Martins, Mangena, Musa, & Udeozor, Victor. (2025). Informal Institutions and Multinationals’ Drive Towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): A Dark-Side Perspective. Business Ethics, the Environment & Responsibility. https://doi.org/10.1111/beer.12773
Widyastuti, Sri. (2019). Green Marketing Intervention Strategies Towards Sustainable Development. Business Research Journal Vol 2, 2 (April), 83–94.
Williams, Sarah, & Murphy, David F. (2023). Learning from Each Other: UK Global Businesses, SMEs, CSR and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Sustainability, 15 (5), 4151. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15054151
Xu, Guangping, Hou, Guangyuan, & Zhang, Jinshan. (2022). Digital Sustainable Entrepreneurship: A Digital Capability Perspective through Digital Innovation Orientation for Social and Environmental Value Creation. Sustainability, 14 (18), 11222. https://doi.org/10.3390/su141811222
Zaki, Irham, Zusak, M. Bastomi Fahri, Mi’Raj, Denizar Abdurrahman, & Hasib, Fatin Fadhilah. (2022). Islamic community-based business cooperation and sustainable development goals: a case of pesantren community in Indonesia. International Journal of Ethics and Systems, 38 (4), 621–632. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijoes-12-2021-0218
Zhao, Qingqing, Li, Xintao, & Li, Siqi. (2023). Analyzing the Relationship between Digital Transformation Strategy and ESG Performance in Large Manufacturing Enterprises: The Mediating Role of Green Innovation. Sustainability, 15 (13), 9998. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15139998
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Sri Widyastuti, Lola Fitria Sari , Eka Sudarmadji , Kholifah Salwah Sabrini (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
