Characteristics of Change Management in Transformative Islamic Education: A Multi-Site Study of Rural Private Madrasahs

Abstract

Abstract Private madrasahs in rural areas face various challenges, such as limited resources, declining student enrollment, and increasing competition among educational institutions. Although change management in Islamic education has been extensively studied, research in the context of private rural madrasahs remains limited. This study aims to examine the characteristics of transformative change management in Islamic education through a multisite study of three private madrasahs in rural Kediri Regency, Indonesia. The study employed a qualitative approach with a multisite design. Data were collected through interviews, observations, and document analysis, then analyzed through the stages of data collection, data reduction, verification, and drawing conclusions. The results of the crosssite analysis revealed relatively consistent characteristics, including transformational leadership based on Islamic values, collaborative human resource development, an integrative curriculum, a religious and adaptive organizational culture, and institutional partnerships. Although different strategies were implemented, the changes occurred gradually, were participatory, and were oriented toward improving the quality of education and strengthening Islamic values. This study produced a value-based transformative change management model as a theoretical foundation and practical guide for the sustainable development of rural private madrasahs.   Abstract Madrasah swasta di pedesaan menghadapi berbagai tantangan, seperti keterbatasan sumber daya, penurunan jumlah siswa, dan meningkatnya persaingan antarlembaga pendidikan. Meskipun manajemen perubahan dalam pendidikan Islam telah banyak dikaji, penelitian dalam konteks madrasah swasta pedesaan masih terbatas. Penelitian ini bertujuan mengkaji karakteristik manajemen perubahan transformatif dalam pendidikan Islam melalui studi multilokasi pada tiga madrasah swasta di pedesaan Kabupaten Kediri, Indonesia. Penelitian menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif dengan desain studi multilokasi. Data dikumpulkan melalui wawancara, observasi, dan analisis dokumen, kemudian dianalisis melalui tahapan pengumpulan data, reduksi data, verifikasi, dan penarikan kesimpulan. Hasil analisis lintas lokasi menunjukkan karakteristik yang relatif konsisten, meliputi kepemimpinan transformasional berbasis nilai-nilai Islam, pengembangan sumber daya manusia secara kolaboratif, kurikulum integratif, budaya organisasi religius dan adaptif, serta kemitraan kelembagaan. Meskipun menerapkan strategi berbeda, perubahan berlangsung bertahap, partisipatif, dan berorientasi pada peningkatan mutu pendidikan serta penguatan nilai-nilai Islam. Penelitian ini menghasilkan model manajemen perubahan transformatif berbasis nilai sebagai landasan teoretis dan panduan praktis bagi pengembangan madrasah swasta pedesaan secara berkelanjutan.