This perspective article argues that the rampant spread and resilience of illegal online lending (pinjaman online or pinjol) in Indonesia is not merely a legal violation to be policed, but a symptom of a broader, deep-seated systemic failure. While government crackdowns, including the shutdown of thousands of illicit platforms and mass arrests, are necessary immediate interventions, these measures largely treat the symptoms rather than the underlying disease. We posit that the endurance of illegal fintech stems from a complex, self-reinforcing crucible of socio-economic desperation, a critical deficit in functional financial literacy, a digital culture that aggressively encourages consumption over savings, and a technological agility on the supply side that consistently outpaces regulatory frameworks. By analyzing scholarly literature and media reports, we demonstrate that this phenomenon parallels other intractable societal issues in Indonesia, such as the consumption of lethal bootleg alcohol (oplosan) and the persistent flow of undocumented migrant workers. In all these cases, high-risk illegal choices are made not out of criminal intent, but out of perceived necessity due to structural exclusion. We contend that a sustainable solution demands a radical paradigm shift: moving from a strictly punitive “whack-a-mole” approach to a holistic strategy focused on prevention and inclusion. This requires a coordinated national effort to revolutionize financial literacy education, compel the design of inclusive financial products for the informal sector, foster responsible financial habits through community leadership, and implement adaptive, technology-driven regulation. Only by addressing the root causes of both supply and demand can Indonesia hope to dismantle the illegal fintech ecosystem and build a resilient, ethical, and truly inclusive digital finance landscape.

The proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies has fundamentally transformed the landscape of visual disinformation, creating novel challenges for digital equity and social justice. This mini review examines how AI-generated and AI-amplified visual content disproportionately impacts marginalised communities through intersecting vulnerabilities related to race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, geographic location, and digital literacy. Drawing on intersectional theory and social identity frameworks, we synthesise recent empirical evidence demonstrating that algorithmic systems systematically disadvantage specific demographic groups through biased content generation, inequitable distribution mechanisms, and differential access to verification tools. Our analysis reveals that communities of colour, low-income populations, and individuals in the Global South face compounded risks from AI-driven disinformation ecosystems. We identify critical gaps in current interventions and propose equity-centred approaches to address these disparities, including algorithmic accountability frameworks, culturally responsive media literacy programs, and inclusive platform design. This review contributes to emerging scholarship at the intersection of AI ethics, communication studies, and social equity by highlighting how technological systems reproduce and amplify existing societal inequalities.

The viral spread of youth violence content on social media platforms has created unprecedented challenges for law enforcement agencies in Indonesia, requiring rapid response mechanisms that balance digital evidence integrity with public communication needs. As digital platforms become primary sources of information about criminal incidents, law enforcement agencies must navigate complex tensions between transparency, accountability, and operational security. This study examines how law enforcement agencies communicate and coordinate during viral youth violence cases, analyzing the effectiveness of digital forensics communication networks and their impact on case outcomes. We employed a mixed-methods approach combining Social Network Analysis (SNA) of official communications, content analysis of law enforcement statements, and case study methodology focusing on three landmark cases from 2022-2024. Data sources included official social media accounts, press releases, court documents, and semi-structured interviews with 15 law enforcement officials. Our analysis revealed three distinct communication patterns: (1) Reactive Crisis Communication (72% of initial responses), (2) Proactive Information Management (23%), and (3) Strategic Digital Evidence Protection (5%). Network centrality measures showed that Metropolitan Police social media accounts served as primary information hubs (betweenness centrality = 0.847), while coordination between agencies remained fragmented (network density = 0.23). Law enforcement agencies demonstrated varying levels of digital communication competency, with successful cases characterized by early coordination, transparent evidence-based communication, and strategic social media engagement. The findings suggest the need for standardized digital forensics communication protocols and enhanced inter-agency coordination mechanisms, with particular attention to cultural adaptation in Indonesian contexts.

In today’s fast-evolving digital economy, managers play a critical role in driving innovation, particularly in the dynamic and high-risk fintech sector. This study investigates how global dynamic managerial capabilities (GDMC), including social capital, human capital, and cognitive skills, affect the innovative performance of fintech firms. Based on 205 valid responses from Jordanian manufacturing companies operating under Industry 4.0 conditions, regression analysis was applied to examine these relationships. The individual components of GDMC did not show a significant impact on innovation when assessed separately. However, when considered together, they had a strong, positive influence on firm innovativeness. These results emphasize the value of an integrated managerial capability profile, particularly in digital business environments. Extending the GDMC framework to the fintech context, this study adds evidence that combined managerial strengths can support innovation and help firms build a competitive edge in tech-driven industries.

Introduction This study evaluates user perceptions of the Louvre Abu Dhabi (LAD) interactive website, focusing on how digital technologies influence the consumption and interpretation of cultural heritage. Methods The research employed a mixed-method design with 50 participants. It investigated key parameters including usability, content richness, and learning outcomes, specifically examining how digital interactivity supports heritage engagement. The analytical framework extended the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and the Kano model to a Gulf cultural context. Results Findings revealed consistently high satisfaction across usability and learning dimensions, confirming the site’s effectiveness as a cultural mediation tool. Beyond technical performance, participants described the platform as a gateway to immersive and participatory heritage consumption, where digital storytelling and interactivity foster curiosity and sustained cultural interest. Discussion Thematic analysis identified key development priorities: immersive virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) integration, deeper narrative context, personalized guided itineraries, and stronger social-media outreach. The results suggest that digital heritage features have evolved from optional enhancements to essential components of cultural participation. The study concludes that sustained innovation in immersive design and AI-driven personalization is vital for museums seeking to expand cultural access and learning through digital media.

This study explores Indigenous ecological knowledge from the Kwahu Traditional Area in Ghana as a compelling case study amid an escalating global environmental crisis. It reassesses traditional environmental conservation, emphasizing the intricate practices that sustain the Kwahu people’s harmonious relationship with their natural environment. The study focuses on the Kwahu people’s indigenous methods of environmental regulation, including their reverence for totemic animals, traditional understanding of land and water bodies, and observance of sacred or taboo days. The findings demonstrate that the Kwahu people’s reverence for totemic creatures acts as ecological custodians, reflecting the interconnectedness of human and non-human realms. Moreover, the study reveals the Kwahu’s unique and holistic understanding of land and water bodies, showing how these perceptions contribute to sustainable land use and resource management, enhancing ecological resilience. Additionally, observance of sacred or taboo days is crucial to the Kwahu’s Indigenous environmental management, blending nature’s spiritual and ecological aspects. These designated days provide periods of rest for the natural world and illustrate the deep respect the Kwahu people have for nature. By examining and illuminating these Indigenous conservation practices, the study emphasizes their ongoing relevance amid urgent global environmental challenges. The study offers valuable insights into how Indigenous ecological knowledge systems can inform and complement contemporary environmental conservation efforts, presenting a holistic and culturally rooted approach to addressing the complex environmental crises facing our planet. In this regard, Indigenous ecological practices often incorporate ecological, cultural, social, and spiritual components, which provide a holistic understanding of ecosystems. This perspective is crucial for enhancing modern conservation efforts as it recognizes the interconnectedness of humans and nature.

Introduction Labor trafficking is a widespread yet underreported form of exploitation that disproportionately affects migrant populations. Migrants often face coercion, deception, and abuse across various labor sectors, and these circumstances are often exacerbated by structural inequalities and legal protections. There is a pressing need to synthesize existing knowledge and integrate stakeholders’ perspectives to inform future prevention and policies. Objective This study examines the scope, nature, and thematic trends in the literature on labor trafficking among migrant populations and augments these findings with qualitative insights from stakeholders working directly with trafficked migrant populations. Methods A scoping review was conducted following A scoping review was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines. Nineteen peer-reviewed empirical studies published between 2014 and 2024 were analyzed across four databases. In parallel, 17 semi-structured interviews were conducted with service providers, researchers, and advocates experienced in labor trafficking. Structural violence theory guided the thematic analysis using Quirkos software. Results Seven major themes emerged: (1) informal recruitment networks, (2) hazardous and exploitative working conditions, (3) psychological and physical coercion, (4) economic and structural vulnerability, (5) gender-based vulnerabilities, (6) inadequate legal protections and enforcement gaps, and (7) mental health impacts. The qualitative data highlight the lived realities and systemic challenges trafficked migrants face and help validate and enrich the findings from the scoping review. Conclusion Labor trafficking among migrants is driven by economic, legal, and social vulnerabilities. Comprehensive, survivor-centered policies are urgently needed: reforms to recruitment practices, expanded mental health support, and stronger legal frameworks. The study findings call for cross-sectoral collaboration and the integration of migrant voices in program and policy design to combat trafficking for labor exploitation.

Employing the term “green nationalism” in the broad sense of nationalist ideologies that concern themselves with the natural environment, we trace a genealogy of green nationalist thought in Japan back to the start of the long 19 th century. The changing contours of this discourse are mapped through five representative writers: Moto'ori Norinaga (1730–1801), Shigetaka Shiga (1863–1927). Testurō Watsuji (1889–1960), Takeshi Umehara (1925–2019) and Yoshinori Yasuda (b. 1946). Despite significant transformations in how Nature has been understood over the previous two and a half centuries, we identify five common trends in the discourse: (1) Japan as a “natural community;” (2) Japan as a harmonious nation where conflict comes from the outside; (3) a nativist concern with Japanese cultural and racial exceptionalism in opposition to China and the West; (4) a concern with protecting the natural resources of the nation for the exclusive benefit of the Japanese people; and (5) the view that an “authentic” Ur -identity can be found in archaic or traditional Japan. These ideas have been influential in Japanese society; however, their impact in fostering pro-environmentalist behaviour requires further analysis. Some of the complexities involved are illustrated by a brief examination of the role of green nationalism on school textbooks. We conclude that the radical, utopian elements of Japanese green nationalism have often been at odds with national educational policy. While the discursive constructs of Japanese green nationalism have been mobilised in some state policies, their capacity to encourage environmental action remains questionable.