Business Ecosystem Management for Sustainable Islamic Boarding Schools: Evidence from Retail, Service, and Aquaculture Enterprises

Abstract

The increasing demand for institutional self-reliance has encouraged Islamic boarding schools to develop entrepreneurial activities as strategic mechanisms for strengthening financial sustainability. However, limited studies have examined how multiple business units within pesantren are managed as an integrated ecosystem rather than as separate economic entities. This study aims to analyze the implementation of Business Ecosystem Management in supporting the sustainability of Islamic boarding schools through the integration of retail, service, and aquaculture enterprises. This research employed a qualitative case study approach. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with pesantren leaders, business unit managers, financial administrators, and employees, supported by observation and document analysis. Data were analyzed using the interactive model of Miles, Huberman, and Saldaña, consisting of data condensation, data display, and conclusion drawing and verification. The findings reveal that Business Ecosystem Management within the pesantren is developed through four interconnected dimensions: vision-driven business governance, strategic resource integration, cross-unit business collaboration, and institutional sustainability. These dimensions demonstrate that the sustainability of pesantren enterprises is not determined merely by individual business performance but by the institution’s capability to orchestrate interconnected business units through shared vision, resource circulation, and collaborative practices. This study contributes theoretically by extending Business Ecosystem Management perspectives into the context of Islamic educational institutions and demonstrates how value-based organizations can transform entrepreneurial activities into sustainable institutional capabilities. Practically, this study provides insights for pesantren leaders and Islamic educational stakeholders in designing integrated business strategies that align economic development with educational and social missions.