Adaptive Resilience Strategy in Building Efforts to Achieve Economic Sustainability in Islamic Boarding School Schools (Case Study of Al-Askar Qur'an Memorization Islamic Boarding School in Kendari)

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the adaptive strategy of Pondok Pesantren Tahfidz Al-Qur'an Al-Askar Kendari in building economic sustainability amid increasingly competitive dynamics within its internal and external environment. The study is motivated by a phenomenological gap in reading economic vulnerability alongside adaptive resilience capacity among small-to-medium-scale Islamic boarding schools, particularly within the context of Islamic boarding schools in Southeast Sulawesi. This study employs a qualitative approach with a case-study design centered on Pondok Pesantren Tahfidz Al-Qur'an Al-Askar Kendari. Research subjects were selected through purposive sampling from among the pesantren's leadership, business-unit managers, and financial administration staff directly involved in the institution's economic management. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, observation, and documentation study of financial reports and institutional profiles. Data analysis in this study relies on SWOT Analysis. The findings show that the pesantren possesses strategic strength in its intangible assets, yet continues to face financial pressure in the form of a growing operational deficit since 2023, driven by the dominance of rising fixed operating costs alongside low income diversification. The pesantren's strategic position can be categorized as "Financially Vulnerable but Organizationally Capable" financially weak yet institutionally strong indicating that institutional transformation is needed through income diversification, productive asset optimization, and the digitalization of financial governance. This study is expected to serve as a consideration for pesantren managers and policymakers in formulating strategies to strengthen economic self-reliance and the continuity of pesantren.