The Influence of Local Wisdom-Based Leadership on Employee Professionalism

Sonya Imelda; Khairul Khairul; Hurip Pratomo

doi:10.33751/jssah.v4i2.10611

The Influence of Local Wisdom-Based Leadership on Employee Professionalism

Sonya Imelda, Khairul Khairul, Hurip Pratomo

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the influence of local wisdom-based leadership on employee professionalism within the Personnel and Human Resource Development Agency of the Mentawai Islands Regency. Leadership rooted in local cultural values plays a significant role in shaping the behavior, work ethic, and professional performance of employees in regional government institutions. Employing a qualitative descriptive approach, data were collected through in-depth interviews, observation, and documentation involving key informants, including agency leaders, staff, and community representatives. The findings reveal that leadership practices guided by local cultural wisdom—such as integrity, mutual respect, and collective responsibility—have a positive impact on enhancing employee professionalism. These values foster discipline, accountability, and a sense of belonging among civil servants, leading to improved work quality and public service delivery. Furthermore, the study highlights that leaders who internalize and apply local cultural values effectively bridge hierarchical gaps, strengthen organizational cohesion, and encourage ethical conduct aligned with community norms. However, challenges remain in maintaining consistency in applying these values amid generational and institutional changes. The study concludes that integrating local wisdom into leadership strategies is essential for building sustainable professionalism and organizational resilience in regional governance.

Keywords

local wisdom; leadership; employee professionalism; organizational culture; regional government

References

A. House and J. Hanges, “Leadership Theory in the 21st Century: Global Perspectives,” J. Org. Behav., vol. 44, no. 2, pp. 301–317, 2023.

R. G. Yukl, Leadership in Organizations, 9th ed., New York: Pearson, 2020.

N. S. Kurnia and H. Widodo, “Recontextualizing Indigenous Leadership Models in Indonesian Public Management,” Int. J. Public Admin., vol. 47, no. 3, pp. 250–267, 2023.

D. A. Wahyudi, “Cultural Adaptation in Bureaucratic Leadership: The Case of Local Government in Indonesia,” Asian J. Governance Stud., vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 77–92, 2022.

H. Santosa, “Leadership and Cultural Identity: Lessons from Indonesian Local Wisdom,” J. Soc. Sci. Humanit. Res., vol. 11, no. 4, pp. 45–59, 2021.

R. Samaloisa, “Traditional Governance in the Mentawai Islands: A Study on the Laggai System,” Governabilitas J., vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 84–110, 2020.

R. Schefold, Playthings for the Spirits: Mentawai Culture and Leadership, Jakarta: Balai Pustaka, 2020.

R. Rahmawati, M. Rusli, and K. Yahiji, “Actualization of Local Wisdom in Anticipating Social Change in Indonesia,” Kalam J., vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 327–352, 2019.

F. Fakhsiannor, “Ecological and Cultural Factors in Modern Public Administration,” As-Siyasah J. Political Soc. Sci., vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 33–46, 2020.

A. Hasibuan, Professional Work Ethics and Bureaucratic Behavior, Medan: USU Press, 2021.

S. Imelda, K. Khairul, and H. Pratomo, “Local Culture-Based Leadership to Improve the Professionalism of Employees at the Mentawai Islands Regency Personnel and HR Development Agency,” J. Soc. Stud. Arts Humanit., vol. 4, no. 2, pp. 61–67, 2024.

I. Aprianto, M. Andriyansyah, M. Qodri, and M. Hariyanto, Ethics and Concepts of Islamic Business Management, Yogyakarta: Deepublish, 2020.

S. Wignjosoebroto, “Professional Ethics in Bureaucratic Contexts: Indonesian Experiences,” J. Governance Ethics, vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 211–225, 2022.

P. Saguntung, “Siripo: Sociological Analysis of Social Interaction in Mentawai Society,” J. Cultural Sociology, vol. 8, no. 3, pp. 101–118, 2021.

M. Tjokrowinoto, Development and Bureaucratic Challenges in Indonesia, Yogyakarta: Pustaka Pelajar, 2020.