BUILDING SUSTAINABLE DIGITAL SOCIO-TECHNICAL ECOSYSTEMS IN ISLAMIC BOARDING SCHOOLS

Abstract

The increasing convergence of digital technologies and community-based institutions has created new challenges for developing sustainable socio-technical ecosystems, particularly in educational organizations operating within resource-constrained environments. This study aims to examine how Islamic boarding schools develop sustainable digital socio-technical ecosystems through the integration of digital infrastructure, entrepreneurial capability, collaboration networks, and Islamic values. A qualitative case study was conducted at Pondok Pesantren Sunan Drajat

Lamongan, Indonesia, using observations, semi-structured interviews, and document analysis. The findings reveal that the pesantren has developed an integrated digital socio-technical ecosystem through the utilization of marketplaces (TikTok Shop, Shopee, and Pesantara.id), social media networks (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and institutional websites), and a digital payment infrastructure through the Sundra App. These interconnected digital platforms function not only as economic tools but also as socio-technical infrastructures that facilitate stakeholder engagement, knowledge exchange, resource integration, and community empowerment. The sustainability of the ecosystem is strengthened by entrepreneurial capability, institutional collaboration, and the implementation of Islamic values that guide ethical governance and socially responsible decision-making. This study proposes a sustainable digital socio-technical ecosystem model in which digital infrastructure serves as the enabling foundation, entrepreneurial capability and collaboration networks act as ecosystem drivers, and Islamic values provide ethical governance for long-term sustainability. The findings contribute to the growing discourse on digital transformation, socio-technical systems, and community-based sustainable innovation while offering a replicable model for educational institutions in developing economies.