Journal of Social Development Studies

Challenging Social Capital to Develop Community-based Digital Economy Platform in the Traditional Market

Hempri Suyatna — 2024-04-04

A private and large corporation typically owns and manages the digital platform, positioning merchants in traditional markets solely as providers of goods. This practice distances merchants from additional advantages offered by the platform and excludes them from the decision-making process. This paper explores the strength of social capital in enhancing opportunities for small economic actors, such as merchants in traditional markets, to benefit from the digital economy through a community-based online market platform, thus overcoming this challenge. Employing a qualitative descriptive research method with a case study approach, data were obtained through interviews, documentation, and focus group discussions. This paper demonstrates that social capital mitigates the challenge of financial capital in leveraging digital economy innovations, enriching the discourse on the interconnectedness between social relations and economic development in community-based settings like traditional markets.

The Endeavour of Indonesian Female Migrant Workers in Taiwan in Building Family Resilience

Yuherina Gusman — 2024-05-27

Abstrak

Migrasi tenaga kerja internasional menyebabkan meningkatnya jumlah keluarga transnasional di Indonesia. Perbedaan geografis dan jangka waktu bermigrasi yang lama membuat keluarga transnasional terlibat dalam berbagai permasalahan dan tekanan psikologis khususnya pada anak-anak yang ditinggalkan. Tulisan ini bertujuan untuk mengkaji secara mendalam bagaimana upaya pekerja migran Indonesia di Taiwan dalam membangun dan mempertahankan ketahanan keluarga dalam kondisi yang tidak ideal tersebut. Selain itu tulisan ini juga menganalisa lebih dalam bagaimana remitansi membantu terciptanya ketahanan keluarga migran. Metode kualitatif digunakan dalam penelitian ini, data primer didapatkan dengan wawancara mendalam terhadap 10 pekerja migran perempuan Indonesia di Taiwan, 10 anak pekerja migran dan 10 pengasuh mereka di Indramayu, Jawa Barat. Metode snowball sampling digunakan untuk mendapatkan informan di Taiwan dan melalui purposive sampling untuk mengumpulkan informan di Indramayu. Penelitian ini menemukan bahwa upaya yang dilakukan dalam membangun ketahanan keluarga migran belum maksimal. Ketahanan ekonomi yang diperkirakan akan tinggi pada pekerja migran ternyata tidak tergambarkan pada penelitian ini sebagai salah satu indikator ketahanan keluarga migran. Lamanya masa migrasi di Taiwan tidak menjamin kuatnya ketahanan ekonomi keluarga migran. Dimensi lain seperti ketahanan psikologis, sosial, dan spiritual juga kurang kokoh sehingga menimbulkan dampak negatif bagi keluarga dan anak-anak yang ditinggalkan.

Kata kunci: ketahanan keluarga, keluarga migran, keluarga transnasional, pekerja migran Indonesia

Abstract

International labor migration has led to a rise in transnational families in Indonesia. Transnational families face numerous challenges and psychological stress, particularly for left-behind children, owing to geographical separation and extended periods of migration. This study aimed to analyze the endeavors of Indonesian migrant workers in Taiwan to establish and sustain family resilience under unfavorable circumstances. In addition, this study aims to further examine how remittances foster resilience among migrant families. The research used qualitative methodologies by conducting in-depth interviews with 10 Indonesian female migrant workers in Taiwan, 10 left-behind children in Indonesia, and 10 caregivers as primary data. The snowball sampling technique was used to recruit participants in Taiwan, and purposive sampling was used for participants in Indonesia. This study determined that the efforts taken to enhance the resilience of migrant families have not been optimal. The economic resilience expected to be high among migrant workers is apparently not reflected in this study as an indicator of the resilience of migrant families. The duration of the migration period in Taiwan does not guarantee the solid economic resilience of migrant families. Additionally, the lack of robustness in other sectors, such as psychological, social, and spiritual resilience, leads to adverse consequences for families and children left behind.

Keywords: family resilience, migrant family, transnational families, Indonesian migrant workers

A Informal Sector Self-Employed Workers’ Old Age Pension Scheme in Retail Sector in Zimbabwe

Albert Makochekanwa — 2024-05-27

The high incidence of informality in Zimbabwe implies that a large proportion of the adult population does not have access to contributory pension schemes during their working lives, rendering them ineligible for old-age pensions. The primary goal of this research is to develop a pragmatic informal retail sector noncontributory old-age pension scheme in Zimbabwe. The study drew empirical evidence from a comprehensive countrywide study using mixed-methods research. The study concluded that several factors, including the respondents' demographic characteristics, are important considerations in developing an effective non-contributory old-age informal sector pension scheme. Based on the study's findings, the study proposes alternative non-contributory old-age informal sector pension schemes, such as financing the non-contributory old-age social pension, determining the monthly amount of a non-contributory old-age pension, and gradually covering a non-contributory old-age pension gap. The study recommends the introduction of a non-contributory informal sector retirement pension fully funded by the government.

Keywords: retail informal sector old-age pension scheme; social security; informal sector; Zimbabwe.

Revealing the Economic Challenges on Adaptive Sacred Water Management in Balinese Community

Amrita Nugraheni Saraswaty — 2024-06-11

Abstrak

Studi ini membahas tantangan ekonomi yang dihadapi masyarakat lokal dalam mengelola sumber air, khususnya sumber air untuk kebutuhan ritual atau sakral, dengan fokus pada studi kasus di wilayah SARBAGITA, Bali. Penelitian ini menggunakan analisis kualitatif untuk menyelidiki interpretasi masyarakat Bali terhadap pengelolaan air adaptif pada sumber daya air suci. Dari analisis yang dilakukan, terlihat bahwa tantangan ekonomi pengelolaan sumber air suci masyarakat Bali dipengaruhi oleh ketidaksesuaian sistem tata kelola air dan kekuatan ekonomi industri pariwisata, yang keduanya saling berinteraksi sehingga berdampak pada menurunnya kualitas dan kuantitas sumber daya air, di sisi lain masyarakat Bali sangat bergantung pada air untuk praktik keagamaan. Pengambilan keputusan oleh perwakilan adat diperlukan karena pengelolaan adaptif diwujudukan dalam diri masyarakat adat melalui kearifan lokal. Memahami pengetahuan dan nilai-nilai air tradisional sangat penting untuk mengatasi tantangan ekonomi guna mencapai pengelolaan sumber daya air yang efektif.

Kata kunci: tantangan ekonomi; pengetahuan tradisional; pengelolaan adaptif; sumber air suci

Abstract

This study discusses the economic challenges that local communities face when managing water sources with ritual or sacred purposes, with a focus on the Balinese case study, especially in the SARBAGITA area. This study uses qualitative analysis to investigate the Balinese interpretation of adaptive water management of sacred water resources. According to the results of the analysis, the economic challenges of managing sacred water sources in the Balinese community are influenced by unsuitable governance systems and the economic power of the tourism industry, both of which interact to affect declining water resource quantity and quality. Meanwhile, the Balinese community relies heavily on water for religious practices. Decision-making by customary representatives is required because adaptive management is manifested in indigenous peoples through local wisdom. Understanding traditional water knowledge and values is critical for overcoming economic challenges and accomplishing effective water resource management.

Keywords: economic challenge; traditional knowledge; adaptive management; sacred water resource

Push-Pull Determinants of Livelihood Diversification among Rural Dwellers in Oil-Polluted Communities in Niger Delta, Nigeria

Onyekachi Chibueze Onuoha — 2024-06-24

Abstrak

Diversifikasi mata pencaharian memungkinkan rumah tangga untuk berpartisipasi dalam berbagai kegiatan untuk memperluas sumber pendapatan. Penelitian ini mengkaji faktor-faktor penentu (dorongan dan tarikan) diversifikasi mata pencaharian di kalangan masyarakat miskin pedesaan di komunitas Delta Niger yang tercemar minyak. Data primer digunakan untuk penelitian ini dengan menggunakan kuesioner terstruktur dari 320 kepala rumah tangga yang terkena dampak langsung tumpahan minyak di lahan Ogoni. Data yang terkumpul dianalisis menggunakan standar deviasi, mean, dan uji sampel berpasangan. Studi ini mengungkapkan bahwa faktor pendorong merupakan motivasi yang kuat untuk melakukan diversifikasi karena tumpahan minyak di wilayah tersebut cukup menimbulkan tekanan dan memerlukan diversifikasi. Namun, beberapa rumah tangga termotivasi oleh faktor penarik berdasarkan keterampilan yang tersedia untuk mengeksplorasi kegiatan di luar pertanian dan non-pertanian. Direkomendasikan agar inisiatif pelatihan yang bertujuan untuk membekali penduduk pedesaan di daerah yang tercemar minyak dengan keterampilan yang dapat diterapkan pada pekerjaan non-pertanian harus dilaksanakan secara konsisten.

Kata kunci: Mata Pencaharian, Diversifikasi, Pedesaan, Penentu

Abstract

Livelihood diversification enables households to participate in multiple activities to widen income sources. This research examined the determinants (push and pull) of livelihood diversification among the rural poor in oil-polluted communities of the Niger Delta. Primary data were used for the study using a well-structured questionnaire from 320 household heads who had a direct impact by the oil spill in Ogoni land. The data collected were analyzed using standard deviation, mean and paired sample tests. The study revealed that the push factors were strong motivation for diversification as the oil spillage in the area was enough distress and necessitated the diversification. However, some households were motivated by pull factors based on available skills to explore off-farm and non-farm activities. It is recommended that training initiatives aimed at equipping rural residents of oil-polluted areas with skills applicable to non-farm occupations should be consistently carried out.

Keywords: Livelihood, Diversification, Rural, Determinants