JSM: Jurnal Sains Manajemen

Bridging soft skills and work readiness: The strategic role of self-efficacy and organizational experience in final-year students

2025-07-06T06:06:16+00:00

In today’s increasingly dynamic labor market, final-year university students are required to possess more than just academic achievements to ensure a successful transition into the workforce. However, recent observations indicate that many students are inadequately prepared, with limited experience and underdeveloped soft skills. This study aims to examine the influence of soft skills and organizational experience on the work readiness of final-year students at the University of Palangka Raya, with self-efficacy as a mediating variable. Utilizing a quantitative explanatory approach, the study involved 100 final-year students selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected via closed-ended questionnaires and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) with SmartPLS 4.0. The findings reveal that both soft skills and organizational experience have a positive and significant effect on self-efficacy. However, neither of these variables has a direct significant effect on job readiness. Instead, self-efficacy plays a crucial mediating role, significantly linking soft skills and organizational experience to job readiness. This indicates that confidence in one's ability is a central factor in preparing students for employment. Based on these findings, it is recommended that universities strengthen experiential learning and soft skills development programs, with a particular emphasis on enhancing students’ self-efficacy. Integrating training, mentoring, and real-world experiences into academic curricula can improve students’ transition into professional environments and better align graduate competencies with labor market demands.

Macroeconomic determinants of stock price volatility: Evidence from the Indonesia Stock Exchange

2025-07-06T06:13:03+00:00

This study investigates the effect of macroeconomic variables Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth and inflation on stock price volatility in the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) during the period 2018 to 2023. The motivation stems from Indonesia’s post-pandemic economic recovery and the need to understand how macroeconomic changes influence financial market dynamics. The research aims to determine whether GDP and inflation, individually or jointly, significantly impact the volatility of the Indonesia Composite Index (IHSG). Using a quantitative approach, secondary time-series data were analyzed through multiple linear regression using the Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) method. The model was tested for classical assumptions, including normality, multicollinearity, and autocorrelation, to ensure result validity. The findings reveal that GDP has a significant negative effect on IHSG volatility, suggesting that higher economic growth stabilizes market movements. In contrast, inflation was found to have no significant effect, implying that it may be already anticipated or offset by firm-level fundamentals and monetary policies. Moreover, the F-test result shows that GDP and inflation together do not have a significant simultaneous impact on stock price volatility. The model’s explanatory power remains moderate, indicating the need to consider other factors such as interest rates, exchange rates, and global shocks. This study recommends that policymakers prioritize sustained GDP growth as a strategy to maintain capital market stability, while investors are advised to monitor macroeconomic signals especially GDP when making investment decisions. Future research should integrate broader macro-financial variables and employ advanced modeling techniques to improve understanding of stock volatility in emerging markets like Indonesia.

Exploring the acceptance of fintech-based credit services: The impact of technology perception, social norms, and income

2025-07-06T06:17:48+00:00

The rapid growth of financial technology (fintech) has significantly changed how people access financial services, particularly through online lending platforms. In Indonesia, the adoption of online loans continues to rise, including in secondary cities such as Palangka Raya. However, despite their increasing popularity, concerns remain about their long-term use, risks of default, and behavioral determinants behind their adoption. This study aims to examine the influence of perceived ease of use of technology, social influence, and income on the interest in using fintech-based credit services among the urban community in Palangka Raya City. The research used a quantitative method with data collected from 96 respondents who had previously used online loan services. The data were analyzed using multiple linear regression after fulfilling classical assumption tests including normality, linearity, multicollinearity, and homoscedasticity. The results revealed that perceived ease of use and social influence had a significant and positive effect on interest in using online loans. Meanwhile, income was found to have no significant effect, suggesting that technological accessibility and social encouragement play a stronger role in determining adoption behavior than economic factors. These findings imply that fintech providers should focus on enhancing user interface simplicity and leveraging social influence through peer networks and influencers. Policymakers and financial regulators are recommended to promote financial literacy programs and ensure the legality of lending platforms to mitigate risks of over-indebtedness. Future research should consider integrating psychological and contextual factors such as trust, perceived risk, and digital literacy to deepen understanding of online lending adoption patterns. This study contributes to the literature on fintech acceptance and provides insights for inclusive and responsible financial innovation in emerging markets.

Assessing the efficiency of supply chain processes in the palm oil sector

2025-07-06T06:20:31+00:00

The palm oil industry remains a vital sector in Indonesia’s economy, significantly contributing to national exports and regional development. However, operating in geographically challenging areas like Kalimantan presents logistical and sustainability obstacles that demand adaptive supply chain strategies. This study aims to evaluate the supply chain efficiency of PT Triputra Agro Persada from 2019 to 2023 using the SCOR (Supply Chain Operations Reference) model, which encompasses five performance dimensions: reliability, responsiveness, agility, cost, and asset management. A quantitative descriptive-analytical method was used, supported by secondary data obtained from internal company records. The analysis shows fluctuating performance across years, with Perfect Order Fulfillment (POF) reaching 101.69% in 2019, declining sharply in 2022 to 65.30%, and recovering to 92.69% in 2023. Order Fulfillment Cycle Time (OFCT) remained relatively stable, although it slightly increased in 2023. Agility metrics improved in 2022 but weakened again in 2023 due to increased demand. The most cost-efficient year was 2022, although logistics costs rose in 2023. Meanwhile, Cash to Cash Cycle Time (C2C) improved significantly over the five-year period, indicating better asset management. The results suggest that while PT Triputra Agro Persada has achieved notable gains in supply chain performance, continued investment in technology, stakeholder collaboration, and sustainability initiatives is essential. Strategic recommendations include enhancing logistics through digital tools, strengthening inter-unit coordination, and optimizing asset utilization. This research contributes insights for palm oil companies operating in similar remote areas to balance operational efficiency with sustainability. Future studies are encouraged to integrate qualitative data and assess broader supply chain ecosystems.

Consumer decision-making in bottled water purchases: The case of Aqua in Palangka Raya

2025-07-06T06:25:36+00:00

The rapid urbanization and growing awareness of health and safety have fueled the global consumption of bottled water, with Indonesia emerging as a major market in Southeast Asia. Brands like Aqua dominate due to their consistent product quality and strong distribution networks. This study explores the factors influencing consumer decision-making in purchasing Aqua bottled water in Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan. The research aims to assess how demographic characteristics—such as occupation, income, and education—relate to consumer perceptions of price, quality, health benefits, packaging, taste, and brand prestige. The study employed a quantitative descriptive method using the Chi-Square test (χ²) to analyze categorical variables based on survey responses from 200 Aqua consumers across two subdistricts. The findings reveal that while income level does not significantly influence consumer perception across the examined dimensions, significant relationships were observed between occupation and perceived product quality, as well as between education level and brand prestige. Consumers with formal employment and higher education tend to view Aqua more positively in these aspects. Overall, Aqua is perceived favorably for its refreshing taste, appealing packaging, and brand prestige, despite being considered relatively expensive. These findings suggest that brand trust and product reliability are prioritized over price sensitivity. The study recommends that Aqua’s marketing strategies further target professional and educated consumer segments through messaging that reinforces quality and social status. Limitations of the study include its cross-sectional nature and narrow geographical scope. Future research should incorporate qualitative methods and broader variables such as environmental awareness and brand loyalty to gain deeper insights into consumer preferences in the bottled water industry.