Digitalizing Pesantren Leadership Supervision in Strengthening Entrepreneurship and Social Media-Based Alumni Networks

Abstract

This study examines the transformation of leadership supervision at Pondok Pesantren Minhajul Abidin in the digital era, focusing on its role in strengthening alumni-based entrepreneurial networks. As traditional religious institutions evolve into socio-economic entities, the role of the kiai or school leadership has shifted from conventional religious authority to dynamic social and digital leadership. Using a qualitative case study approach, this research analyzes how the leadership implements a hybrid supervision model that integrates digital platforms like WhatsApp and Instagram—specifically through the "Friday Status Movement" (Gerakan Jum’at Status)—with traditional pesantren values. The findings reveal that the leadership performs a "gatekeeper" function to ensure branding alignment with Islamic business ethics while utilizing the 3C framework—Connect, Contribute, and Co-create—to optimize the social capital of alumni and student guardians. The study further demonstrates that this supervisory model fosters a sustainable socio-entrepreneurship ecosystem, where business units like food stalls and souvenir shops support the institution's economic independence and facilitate Islamic philanthropy, such as free meal programs for orphaned students. This research concludes that adaptive digital leadership and robust social capital are critical for pesantren to build inclusive, equitable, and resilient community-based economic networks.