Open Access Indonesia Journal of Social Sciences

The Cost of Coordination Failures: Impacts on Urban Development Projects and Citizen Services in Bangladesh

Md Zia Uddin — 2025-01-06

Rapid urbanization in Bangladesh places significant pressure on City Corporations to effectively plan and implement urban development projects, often in collaboration with national agencies. However, coordination failures are prevalent, leading to significant costs and hindering urban development. This study investigates the challenges in service delivery coordination faced by City Corporations in Bangladesh, focusing on Cumilla and Dhaka as case studies to understand the complexities of coordination in varying urban contexts. A qualitative research approach was employed, involving semi-structured interviews with 110 stakeholders across both cities. This included 40 City Corporation officials, 30 government agency representatives, and 70 community representatives, ensuring a multi-faceted understanding of the issue. Data was analyzed using thematic analysis and interpretive techniques to identify recurring patterns and themes related to coordination challenges, their consequences, and potential solutions. Rigor and trustworthiness were ensured through data triangulation, member checking, and reflexivity. The study identified several key coordination challenges, including dysfunctional coordination committees, power struggles between City Corporations and national agencies, non-compliance with regulations, unclear roles and responsibilities, dual control over tasks, breaches of agreements, political interference, self-serving leadership, and inadequate corrective measures. These challenges hinder project progress and negatively impact citizens, leading to subpar work quality, project delays, funding withdrawals, poor service delivery, financial waste, and increased public distress. In conclusion, this study underscores the urgent need for improved coordination mechanisms, accountability frameworks, and capacity-building initiatives to enhance urban development and service delivery in Bangladesh.

Beyond the Digital Divide: A Systematic Literature Review Exploring the Relationship between E-Learning Communication, Student Engagement, and Academic Performance

Diana Anggraini — 2025-01-06

E-learning can support the creation of interpersonal communication for students, both students and lecturers. Even communication carried out in e-learning is considered to be one of the aspects that can affect student academic achievement. This study aims to explore themes in interpersonal communication and mediated communication in the context of e-learning. The method used in this study is Systematic Literature Review with the guidance of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses/PRISMA 2020. Data was obtained from the Scopus research database by applying queries according to the research theme and 69 articles were obtained that will be further analyzed. The results of the study have succeeded in identifying 10 themes in interpersonal communication and 9 themes in mediated communication. Communication effectiveness, communication behavior, and social presence are things that need to be considered in interpersonal communication. As for mediated communication, it is necessary to consider the ease and comfort of communication, mediated communication behavior, and also the support of the online environment.

Data Governance and Privacy in Sulu, Philippines: Building Trust and Ensuring Accountability in Digital Public Service Delivery

Datu Ansaruddin K. Kiram — 2025-01-06

The province of Sulu in the Philippines faces unique challenges in implementing digital governance initiatives due to its geographical remoteness, socio-economic disparities, and security concerns. This study examines the critical issue of data governance and privacy in Sulu's digital public service delivery, focusing on building trust and ensuring accountability. This research employed a mixed-methods approach. Quantitative data was collected through a survey of 300 residents of Sulu involved in accessing digital public services. Qualitative data was gathered through semi-structured interviews with 20 key informants, including local government officials, civil society representatives, and technology experts. The study analyzed existing policies and frameworks related to data governance and privacy in the Philippines and compared them with international best practices. The findings revealed a significant gap between policy aspirations and the reality on the ground. While national policies emphasize data privacy and security, awareness and implementation at the local level in Sulu remain limited. The study identified challenges such as lack of digital literacy, inadequate infrastructure, and concerns about data misuse. However, it also highlighted opportunities for leveraging digital technologies to improve transparency, accountability, and citizen participation in public service delivery. In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights for policymakers and practitioners working on digital governance in Sulu and other similar contexts. It emphasizes the need for context-specific strategies that prioritize community engagement, capacity building, and robust oversight mechanisms to ensure responsible and ethical data governance.

Zakat Calculator Application: Enhancing the Academic Performance of Islamic Economics Students

Saifudin Yusuf — 2025-01-08

Zakat holds profound significance in the Muslim community. Its intricate calculations and diverse categories, however, often pose challenges for individuals striving to fulfill this religious obligation accurately. This research investigates the design, development, and impact of a Zakat Calculator Application on Islamic economics students' academic performance at UNU Blitar. By leveraging technology, this study aims to bridge the gap between traditional learning methods and the evolving needs of students in grasping the complexities of zakat. ADDIE development model (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation) guided the application's creation and evaluation. A sample of 60 students from a population of 90 was selected through simple random sampling. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics and an independent two-sample t-test to compare the performance of students using the application with those relying on traditional lecture and discussion methods. The Zakat Calculator Application demonstrated high validity and effectiveness. Expert evaluations yielded excellent scores (media experts: 96.25%, material and strategy experts: 95.55%, curriculum practitioners: 94.69%, lesson plan experts: 92.00%). The t-test results revealed significant improvement in academic performance for students using the application. The experimental group achieved a high academic performance level of 87.5%, compared to 50.5% in the control group. In conclusion, Zakat Calculator Application effectively enhances the academic performance of Islamic economics students. It simplifies zakat calculations, improves understanding of zakat regulations, and promotes compliance with Islamic principles. The application is recommended as a valuable learning tool in Islamic economics education.

Green Accounting Practices and Firm Performance: A Meta-Analysis

Istinganah Eni Maryanti — 2025-01-20

This meta-analysis investigates the relationship between green accounting practices (GAP) and firm performance. While prior studies have explored this link, the results remain inconclusive. This study aims to provide a comprehensive and robust analysis of the impact of GAP on firm performance by synthesizing findings from various empirical studies. A systematic literature review was conducted using Scopus and Web of Science databases, identifying 10 relevant studies published between 2013 and 2024. These studies employed diverse methodologies and performance measures. We used a random-effects model to estimate the overall effect size and explored potential moderators influencing the relationship. The meta-analysis revealed a significant positive relationship between GAP and firm performance. Specifically, firms that adopted GAP exhibited improved financial performance, as measured by return on assets, return on equity, and Tobin's Q. Furthermore, the analysis identified industry type and the stringency of environmental regulations as significant moderators. This study provides compelling evidence that GAP contribute to enhanced firm performance. These findings have important implications for managers, policymakers, and investors, highlighting the potential benefits of incorporating environmental considerations into accounting practices.