Nine out of ten viral brands die within two years. The figure is more than a warning. It reflects how often local brands are celebrated too early.

In Bandung, on October 10, 2026—specifically at the Freeport Building Auditorium, the SBM ITB Guest Lecture Series #3 featured Mad Alkatiri, Founder and CEO of Hypefast, as a guest speaker. Mad Alkatiri led a session titled “’Local Pride’ or Virality Won’t Save Your Business: The Brutal Reality of Building Local Brands.” He opened the session by posing a question to the students:

“How many of you right now have a local brand product?”

Mad then stated that the session would be as honest as possible, so that students could understand the reality of entrepreneurship. In his view, too many stories out there exaggerate business success, as if it were achieved in just a matter of months.

The short discussion was followed by an introduction of the speaker. Mad comes from Ambon, Maluku, and has a background in e-commerce, from Shopee to Lazada, and now acquires promising brands to help them grow and push them further.

From his experience, there is a fundamental difference between entrepreneurship in Indonesia and in the United States. In the US, founders usually arrive with extensive professional backgrounds and deep experience, which gives their scalability a clearer direction, while in Indonesia, even a fresh graduates can start a brand, often out of a sense of community.

Still, managing a small business and managing a big one are clearly different. Once a brand grows to IDR 500 million and is ready to scale, its owner needs a different set of skills. This is where Hypefast comes in, Mad went on to explain Hypefast’s role in helping brands grow, from warehousing to the scaling process.

On the 90% figure, he explained that it is closely tied to the illusion that often surrounds local brands, such as the spirit of “proudly made in Indonesia.” That pride does not automatically make consumers buy, consumers do love Indonesia, but they love their wallets more, and they love a good product even more.

“For local products, if the local label becomes your entire personality, that is a mistake. It may work in the early phase, but it won’t last. You need defensibility, not just nationalism. Nationalism is not a strategy. Make sure your product solves a real problem,” he said.

The discussion then turned to virality with a question: does a viral brand actually come with buying power? According to Mad, going viral is not a bad thing. The mistake is making it your strategy where virality does not automatically translate into purchases.

“If you want to break the ceiling and grow bigger, you need new customers, and what you offer has to match what they actually want. Market penetration is a much better way to grow a brand,” he said.

In the final session, Mad presented a case study of Whiteflow, a premium personal care brand that chose the wrong strategy because it was misled by the illusion of social media virality. He asked the audience what the best move would be.

SBM ITB students were divided into three teams, each choosing one strategy. The blue team chose an omnichannel push, the green team chose a portfolio push, and the red team chose a white flag move. Each team then debated to defend its choice.

At the close, Mad did not declare any answer right or wrong. Everyone has their own perspective, and what matters most is a strong argument behind each choice. The session concluded with a Q&A, which unfolded in an exciting and lively atmosphere.

Contributions to SDGs :

Enhances quality education by providing students with practical entrepreneurial knowledge, industry insights, and hands-on business strategy discussions. Supports decent work and economic growth by strengthening students’ understanding of entrepreneurship, business management, and strategies for scaling local enterprises. Promotes industry, innovation, and infrastructure by encouraging product differentiation, innovation, and the development of competitive and resilient local brands. Encourages responsible consumption and production by emphasizing the importance of creating products that address genuine consumer needs and deliver real value rather than relying solely on marketing trends or social media virality.

#SDG4 #SDG8 #SDG9 #SDG12

Written by Student Reporter (Yumna Roihana, Management 2027)

The post ‘Made in Indonesia’ Pride Is Not Enough: The Brutal Reality of Building Local Brands appeared first on SBM ITB.

Immersive dining may not necessarily make food taste better, but it could make people more interested in visiting the destinations where their food comes from.

That is one of major findings in a study titled “Improving gastro-tourism experience through 3D virtual attractions: evidence from tourists’ self-reported and neurophysiological responses,” published in the Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Technology.

The research was conducted by Mustika Sufiati Purwanegara, Nila Armelia Windasari, Hasbian Fauzy Perdhana, Muhammad Fakhrul Rozi Ashadi, and Fitri Aprilianty. The study examined how immersive 3D technology can shape the gastro-tourism experience before, during, and after a dining encounter.

Rather than focusing only on food quality and satisfaction, the researchers also looked at whether an immersive dining experience could influence tourists’ intention to visit the destinations associated with the food.

This research involved 23 Generation Z, born in 1997 to 2012 participants who had never experienced a 3D immersive culinary event. Eleven participants were assigned to the 3D experience group, while 12 were placed in a control group.

Both groups were served four Indonesian dishes: Lumpia Semarang from Central Java, Sate Lilit with fish soup from Bali, Rendang from West Sumatra, and Klapertart from Manado.

What differed was the experience surrounding the food.

Participants in the 3D group were exposed to visual projections, animation, storytelling, and sound related to the dishes. Before visiting the restaurant, they also viewed content from social media (TikTok) presenting the 3D immersive culinary experience. The control group received text-based information and experienced conventional fine dining.

The researchers also used electroencephalography (EEG) to record participants’ brain activity during different stages of the experience.

The effect appeared even before participants tasted the food. Those exposed to the 3D experience reported higher expectations, with an average score of 4.34 compared with 3.59 in the control group.

However, the immersive experience did not significantly change how participants perceived the food or how satisfied they were with the meal. Food perception averaged 4.09 in the 3D group and 4.15 in the control group, while satisfaction scores were 4.31 and 4.54, respectively.

The more significant difference appeared after the meal.

Participants who experienced the 3D attraction reported a stronger intention to visit the destinations associated with the food. Their average visit-intention score was 4.00, compared with 3.00 in the control group.

The EEG results also showed differences in brain activity during the immersive experience and afterward. The researchers identified activity in several brain regions associated with attention, preference, cognitive-emotional processing, and learning and memory.

The findings suggest that the value of immersive dining may not necessarily come from improving the perceived quality of food. Instead, the technology may help strengthen the connection between a dish and the destination behind it.

But why does visiting the destination behind the food matter?

Food is often closely connected to the history, culture, people, environment, and traditions of a particular place. For example, eating Rendang provides a taste of a dish, but visiting West Sumatra can offer a much broader understanding of the culture and traditions that shaped the taste of Rendang.

The same things applies to other regional foods. Visiting Semarang, Bali, or Manado allows tourists to experience the communities, landscapes, local traditions, and cultural practices that cannot be fully experienced through a dish alone.

In this sense, gastro-tourism can create a bridge between consumption and cultural exploration. The food becomes the first point of curiosity, while the destination provides the wider context behind what tourists have tasted.

This creates an interesting opportunity for gastro-tourism.

A restaurant serving Rendang, for example, could go beyond presenting the dish itself. Through visual storytelling, sound, animation, and cultural narratives, the dining experience could also introduce visitors to West Sumatra including the culture and the origins of the food.

The same approach could be applied to other regional dishes. Food can become more than something tourists consume; it can become a starting point for discovering the place, culture, and stories associated with it.

For tourism businesses, this means immersive technology does not necessarily need to be evaluated only by whether it increases customer satisfaction. Its value may also lie in whether it makes a destination more memorable and encourages people to experience it in person.

The researchers, however, noted that the study involved only 23 Generation Z participants. Further research is needed to determine whether similar effects would appear among different groups of tourists and whether the impact remains after the novelty of immersive 3D technology wears off.

The study ultimately offers a different way of thinking about technology in gastro-tourism. The question is not only whether technology can make dining better.

It may also be whether a dining experience can make people curious enough to visit the place where their food comes from.

Contributions to the SDGs:

Advances smart gastro-tourism and cultural destination promotion through SBM ITB neuro-marketing research published in the Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Technology, utilizing EEG and 3D immersive dining environments to demonstrate how multi-sensory culinary storytelling drives intent to visit regional origins, supporting industry innovation, sustainable communities, and decent economic growth.

#SDG8 #SDG9 #SDG12

Written by Muhammad Fakhrul Rozi Ashadi

The post Study says 3D dining may encourage tourists to visit the destinations behind their food appeared first on SBM ITB.

The impact of research should not always be measured by whether it becomes a business or generates commercial profit. Different research can take different paths and have different definitions of success, depending on the purpose and the benefits it is meant to deliver.

That was the point made by Eko Agus Prasetio, Deputy Dean for Academic Affairs at SBM-ITB, during a discussion titled “Measuring, Maintaining, and Expanding Research Impact” at Menara Kompas, Jakarta, on Tuesday (September 8, 2026).

Eko argued that commercialization is certainly one way for research to create impact, but it should not be treated as the only definition of impact. Research that builds a business, addresses a social problem, or develops strategic infrastructure can all create value, but their success cannot necessarily be judged by the same standards.

His view was based on research involving seven case studies and 18 interviews with technology commercialization practitioners at ITB. One of the examples he highlighted was KAZEE, a social media analytics company that started as a venture involving three students and eventually grew into a company with more than 70 employees.

Vent-I tells a very different story. The portable ventilator was developed during the Covid-19 pandemic but did not continue as a business. Still, the project raised Rp12.5 billion through crowdfunding and delivered 1,050 units to 11 referral hospitals.

“If success is measured by whether a startup is still operating after its funding ends, Vent-I would be recorded as a failure. Yet it actually had one of the most concrete impacts,” Eko said.

For business-oriented research, Eko said, success can be seen through business growth, market adoption, and the ability to survive beyond the funding period. Research driven by a social mission, on the other hand, may be better measured by what it leaves behind, such as lives saved or losses prevented.

Research aimed at building strategic infrastructure requires yet another set of measures. These could include reducing dependence on imported products, creating industrial value, and strengthening institutional resilience. This is why, Eko said, research funding schemes should not force every type of research into the same definition of success.

Researchers, he added, should explain their theory of change from the beginning. This would help clarify how a research project is expected to create impact and allow its success to be assessed according to its original purpose.

The ability to create impact, however, does not rest entirely with researchers. The organization receiving the technology also needs to be ready to absorb and apply it.

“Research may have been successfully transferred, but its impact may still fail to materialize if the recipient is not ready to absorb it,” he said.

For Eko, expanding research impact therefore requires more than simply creating more technology transfer offices (TTOs) or business incubators. What is needed is an ecosystem that recognizes that research can create different kinds of impact, over different periods of time, and through different pathways.

Meanwhile, Director of Science and Technology Dissemination and Utilization at the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Kemdiktisaintek), Yudi Darma, said research in Indonesia still has not created enough impact. One of the problems, he said, is that the ecosystem for utilizing science and technology remains fragmented.

“The ecosystem for utilizing science and technology remains fragmented and divided into separate parts. There is little interaction and participation from the public in research activities,” Yudi said.

Yudi said this situation needs to change so that research does not end with academic publications. An internal Kemdiktisaintek survey conducted at the end of 2025 found that nearly 50 percent of lecturers identified solving real problems in society as their main motivation for conducting research.

At the same time, 77 percent said publications were aimed at improving their reputation and academic careers, including pursuing positions such as professorships. The findings suggest that an output-based mindset remains deeply rooted in research activities.

Kemdiktisaintek has since introduced several programs to encourage the utilization of research findings, including Suryakanta and Berdikari, involving research teams, vocational higher education institutions, industries, and micro, small, and medium enterprises.

In the end, the real measure of research impact should be what it changes in the real world, not simply how many papers are published, patents are registered, or businesses are created. What matters is whether the knowledge and technology produced can continue to be used, create value, and reach the people and institutions that actually need them.

Contributions to the SDGs:

Reframes research impact evaluation frameworks beyond pure commercialization through Kemdiktisaintek panel insights from SBM ITB leadership, advocating multi-dimensional Theory of Change metrics that value social mission interventions, strategic infrastructure resilience, and absorptive technology transfer capacity to promote industry innovation, quality education, and strong institutional governance.

#SDG8 #SDG9 #SDG17

Written by Muhammad Bilal Wibisono (MBA BLEMBA 75)

The post Beyond commercialization: rethinking how research impact is measured appeared first on SBM ITB.

Online gambling has become a serious concern in Indonesia. Behind every gambling transaction is not only a question of individual choice but also a broader issue involving household financial resilience and the economy.

Money lost through gambling can reduce resources available to households for savings, education, health, consumption, investment, and productive activities. At a larger scale, the enormous flow of money associated with online gambling makes the issue relevant to Indonesia’s economic and financial system.

Indonesian Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (Pusat Pelaporan dan Analisis Transaksi Keuangan) recorded the turnover of online gambling funds in 2025 at Rp 286.84 trillion, involving a total of 422.1 million transactions. With those numbers, online gambling has become a serious problem to face in this country with a population of around 290 million.

Understanding why people are attracted to online gambling is therefore important for designing more effective prevention policies. So, why do people continue to gamble online even when they understand financial risks, live in a society where gambling is prohibited, and regularly practice their religion?

A recent thesis at the School of Business and Management, Institut Teknologi Bandung (SBM ITB), suggests that the answer is more complex than simply a lack of financial knowledge or religious commitment.

The research was conducted by Maharani, a student of the Master of Science in Management Program at SBM ITB, through her thesis entitled “Determinants of Online Gambling Intention: An Extended UTAUT2 Model Incorporating Financial Literacy, Financial Risk-Taking Attitude, and Religiosity.” The thesis was supervised by Taufik Faturohman, Ph.D. and successfully passed the final examination with a grade of A.

The study examined 160 Indonesian respondents with experience in online gambling and found that financial literacy and religiosity were not significant predictors of gambling intention in the research model.

However, this does not mean that financial knowledge or religious values are unimportant. The findings suggest that knowing how to manage money or understanding that gambling is risky does not necessarily change behavior. Financial education may therefore need to go beyond budgeting and saving by also explaining probability, gambling risks, behavioral biases, and impulsive decisions.

The same applies to religiosity. The study measured religiosity mainly through religious practices and observable behavior, which may not fully capture personal beliefs or how deeply religious values are applied in everyday decisions. The finding should therefore be understood as a reason for further research rather than proof that religion has no influence on gambling behavior.

What Makes Online Gambling Attractive?

The strongest finding of the study comes from two factors: performance expectancy and hedonic motivation.

Performance expectancy refers to the expectation of gaining a desirable outcome, particularly financial gain, while hedonic motivation relates to the enjoyment and excitement of gambling.

In simple terms, people may be attracted to online gambling because they see the possibility of winning money while also enjoying the experience.

This helps explain why financial warnings alone may not be enough. Someone can understand the risks but still find gambling attractive because the expectation of winning and the excitement remain strong.

The digital environment can make this attraction even stronger. Gambling can be accessed through smartphones and online platforms almost anytime and anywhere, making it easier for people to continue gambling and make repeated transactions.

No Single Profile of an Online Gambler

The study also found differences across demographic groups. Higher education appeared to have some protective effect, while some middle-income respondents showed relatively stronger gambling intention. Age did not significantly distinguish gambling intention.

These findings suggest that online gamblers can no longer be viewed as belonging to one particular demographic group. The accessibility of digital platforms has made gambling available to people across different backgrounds.

More Than Financial Education

The research suggests that preventing online gambling requires more than simply telling people about its financial risks.

Financial education, religious values, behavioral interventions, regulation, and technological controls may need to work together. The thesis also points to possible platform-level measures such as stronger user verification, clearer risk disclosures, and “cooling-off” mechanisms that give users time to reconsider their decisions.

Ultimately, the study offers a different way of looking at online gambling. The question is not only “Why do people keep gambling?” but also “What makes them want to gamble in the first place?” Understanding that attraction—particularly the combination of expected financial gain and enjoyment—could help policymakers design prevention strategies that address both individual behavior and the digital environment that makes gambling accessible.

Contributions to the SDGs:

Investigates the behavioral drivers of online gambling in Indonesia using an extended UTAUT2 model from SBM ITB Master of Science in Management research, demonstrating that financial performance expectancy and hedonic motivation—rather than mere financial literacy deficits—drive gambling engagement to inform targeted policy interventions, digital regulatory controls, and strong institutional governance for reduced social inequalities and healthier digital economies.

#SDG3 #SDG8 #SDG16

Written by Taufik Faturohman, Ph.D

The post Why Do People Keep Gambling Online? SBM ITB Thesis Reveals a More Complex Picture appeared first on SBM ITB.

The School of Business and Management, Institut Teknologi Bandung (SBM ITB), in collaboration with the Institute for Business and Management Research and Development (LPPM) of Mataram University, provided coaching and direct mentoring to entrepreneurs in Gili Asahan, tailoring their approach to the needs and circumstances of each business (August 14-16). These entrepreneurs included women who run banana chip businesses and men who run snorkeling and marine tourism businesses. Through direct discussions, the SBM ITB team explored the challenges entrepreneurs face and provided practical input to help their businesses grow more focused and sustainably.

Various business aspects were discussed in the coaching sessions, from branding and positioning, product development and packaging, determining product focus with potential for development, to calculating and managing business budgets. This mentoring is expected to help entrepreneurs view their businesses more holistically, not only from an operational perspective, but also from a strategic perspective for business development and sustainability.

Previously, SBM ITB and LPPM Universitas Mataram signed a Cooperation Agreement (Perjanjian Kerja Sama/PKS) to strengthen collaboration between the two institutions, particularly in implementing community service activities (August 14). Following the signing of the PKS, the series of activities continued with a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) with the Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Mataram (FEB UNRAM) on the theme “Strengthening the Community Economy Based on Local Potential.” The FGD provided a space for lecturers from SBM ITB and FEB UNRAM to exchange ideas and perspectives on building and strengthening the community economy in Lombok by optimising local potential.

In the discussion, lecturers from both institutions exchanged ideas on various opportunities and challenges in local economic development, including how universities can play a role in providing knowledge, mentoring, and solutions relevant to community needs. The discussion also highlighted the importance of building the community economy by developing existing potential, so that communities can become key actors in developing their regional economies.

The Dean of SBM ITB, Prof. Aurik Gustomo stated that community economic development needs to begin with an understanding of a region’s existing potential.

“The most important thing is how we recognize the potential of the community and develop it with knowledge, innovation, and appropriate management. This is where universities have a role to play, being present with the community, not only providing knowledge but also assisting in the development process so that it can provide sustainable benefits.”

According to Prof. Aurik, collaboration between universities is also crucial to ensure that the knowledge and perspectives of each institution complement each other in addressing community needs.

Gili Asahan is expected to become a focus for the long-term development of community service activities by the SBM ITB People and Knowledge Management Expertise Group. This mentoring is the initial step in building a sustainable mentoring process, to strengthen the capacity of business actors, develop local economic potential, and supporting communities in building increasingly independent and sustainable businesses.

Contributions to the SDGs:

Empowers coastal micro-entrepreneurs and sustainable marine tourism operators in Gili Asahan, West Nusa Tenggara, through a strategic community service partnership between SBM ITB’s People and Knowledge Management Expertise Group and LPPM Mataram University, delivering tailored business coaching in branding, financial management, and sustainable local potential exploitation.

#SDG8 #SDG12 #SDG14 #SDG17

Written by Student Reporter (Lavena Laduri, MBA YP 2024)

The post SBM ITB empowers banana chips and marine tourism businesses in Gili Asahan appeared first on SBM ITB.

Dr. Sahat Hutajulu, a lecturer at the School of Business and Management, Institut Teknologi Bandung (SBM ITB), has successfully secured the EU–ASEAN Sustainable Connectivity Package – Higher Education (SCOPE-HE) Triple/Quadruple Helix Models (TQHM) Grant through the AQHIRE (ASEAN Quadruple Helix Initiative for Renewable Energy) project. In this project, Dr Sahat leads a research collaboration across ITB faculties and with various partners in the ASEAN region.

The research will be conducted for one year, starting in September 2026, and will involve collaboration with partners in Singapore, Malaysia, and Cambodia. According to Dr. Sahat, this grant is part of the European Union’s Global Gateway initiative, which aims to strengthen sustainable connectivity between the European Union and ASEAN through cooperation in education, economics, sustainability, and digital transformation.

One of the main issues the AQHIRE project aims to address is the gap between the rapid industrial demand for green jobs and the readiness of vocational education graduates to meet that demand. He believes that the development of the green industry is progressing much faster than vocational institutions can match the competencies of their graduates.

“Green jobs are now a necessity, but vocational education still needs acceleration to produce graduates with the appropriate skills. Through this project, we want to help accelerate the development of green skills so that vocational graduates are better prepared to meet industry needs,” explained Dr. Sahat in Bandung (August 7).

To address this challenge, the AQHIRE project adopts a Quadruple Helix Model approach that brings together government, universities, industry, and civil society (NGOs). According to Dr. Sahat, the involvement of all actors from the outset will produce more comprehensive and impactful solutions than if each party worked alone.

In addition to producing policy recommendations and strengthening regional collaboration, this project is expected to be a strategic step for ITB to advance its role as a pioneer of the green transition in Indonesia, particularly by developing vocational education competencies that align with future industrial needs.

In the long term, the team aims to establish sustainable collaborations between universities, government, industry, and vocational institutions, including the development of three certification modules in the green transition area that the community and workforce can utilize to improve their competencies.

For Dr. Sahat, securing a competitive grant at the ASEAN level also demonstrates the importance of cross-disciplinary collaboration. He hopes that students and young researchers will not hesitate to build networks across various faculties and scientific fields, as diverse perspectives are key to producing internationally recognized innovations.

Contributions to the SDGs:

Drives regional renewable energy transition and green workforce readiness through the EU-funded AQHIRE project under SCOPE-HE, uniting government, academia, industry, and civil society across ASEAN to develop green certification modules and bridge vocational skill gaps for sustainable industrial development, affordable clean energy, and global partnerships.

#SDG7 #SDG8 #SDG9 #SDG13 #SDG17

Written by Student Reporter (Lavena Laduri, MBA YP 2024)

The post SBM ITB lecturer receives EU Grant, Dr. Sahat Hutajulu leads ASEAN green transition project appeared first on SBM ITB.

In collaboration with the Faculty of Economics and Business, Andalas University (FEB UNAND), the Entrepreneurship and Technology Management (ETM) Research Group (KK) of the School of Business and Management, Institut Teknologi Bandung (SBM ITB), held digital business training for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Agam, West Sumatra. Thirty business owners from various sectors participated in the training and mentoring clinic, held at the Tanjung Raya District Office on Saturday (August 1).

Prof. Wawan Dhewanto from SBM ITB emphasized the importance of business digitalization. He explained how large platforms like Tokopedia and Shopee can help local products reach a wider customer base across Indonesia.

“Digitalization is not just a trend, but a necessity for MSMEs to survive and thrive. Through online platforms, geographical boundaries are no longer a barrier,” said Prof. Wawan.

Beyond theory, participants were encouraged to map their current sales practices and identify potential products for online marketing. They were also encouraged to practice opening a store on the Shopee app. Using visual guides from Canva, participants were guided step-by-step, from account registration to product upload techniques to make them visually appealing to potential buyers.

Strikingly, participants received direct, one-on-one mentoring from a team of SBM ITB experts, comprising dozens of lecturers and specialists. These facilitators directly assisted participants in operating the app on their mobile phones.

This program yielded immediate results in boosting MSMEs’ confidence. Many participants, previously unfamiliar with the digital ecosystem, are now adept at managing their online stores.

The local community has also received positive feedback. They hope this type of mentoring can continue. In response, SBM ITB reaffirmed its commitment to continuously supporting the empowerment of partner communities to create more adaptive, independent, and globally competitive MSMEs.

Contributions to the SDGs:

Accelerates regional MSME digital transformation through an SBM ITB and Andalas University collaboration in Agam Regency, delivering 1-on-1 e-commerce onboarding, digital storefront setup, and visual content creation to expand rural market access, foster industry innovation, reduce inequalities, and drive sustainable economic growth.

#SDG8 #SDG9 #SDG10 #SDG17

Written by Student Reporter (Cindy R. Meilynda, MSM 2024)

The post Encouraging Agam MSMEs to Go Digital, SBM ITB Holds E-Commerce Training appeared first on SBM ITB.

Students from the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program at the School of Business and Management, Institut Teknologi Bandung (SBM ITB), conducted an industrial visit to the GoTo Group headquarters at Pasaraya Blok M, Jakarta (July 22). The visit, part of the GoLearn program, aimed to provide in-depth insight into the operations of Indonesia’s largest digital ecosystem and how technology plays a role in driving national economic growth.

During the visit, Gojek’s Head of Regions, Gede Manggala, shared his seven years of experience managing regional operations in Indonesia. He emphasized that the Indonesian market is unique and heterogeneous.

“Not just Greater Jakarta and Bandung; even in South Jakarta, the market is diverse. Blok M, Senopati, and SCBD have different user characteristics,” Gede explained.

He cited Bali as the area with the highest average GoFood order (affluent market), while the Soekarno-Hatta Airport area is dominated by GoCar services.

Gede highlighted two essential questions that guide all strategic discussions at GoTo: “What problem are you trying to solve?” “Is this conclusion based on data or merely an assumption?”

Gede emphasized that when designing business plans or problem solutions, they should not get caught up in abstract ideas, but rather adhere to solid facts and data.

The students then asked about GoTo’s steps in the international market. Gede explained that GoTo has currently chosen to consolidate its business by focusing on Indonesia as its primary “home ground,” while maintaining operations in Singapore (specifically for GoCar services) due to its lucrative market potential.

“We are a homegrown company, and our priority is to strengthen our position in Indonesia before expanding further,” he added. Regarding penetration into regencies or smaller cities in Indonesia, GoTo’s strategy is based on density calculations and ROI (Return on Investment) to ensure business sustainability.

The session concluded by encouraging the students to continue exploring data processing and market research. The event concluded with a group photo session and a tour of GoTo’s dynamic workspace. Through this GoLearn visit, it is hoped that future business leaders from SBM ITB can adopt a solution-oriented and data-driven mindset in facing the challenges of the digital economy in the future.

Contributions to the SDGs:

Bridges academic management theory with digital ecosystem operations through an SBM ITB MBA industrial visit to GoTo Headquarters under the GoLearn program, embedding data-driven strategic planning, localized hyper-segmentation analysis, and ROI-based expansion frameworks into graduate leadership development to foster quality education, industry innovation, and sustainable economic growth.

#SDG8 #SDG9 #SDG17

Written by Student Reporter (Cindy R. Meilynda, MSM 2024)

The post Exploring data-driven innovation: SBM ITB MBA students visit GoTo headquarters via GoLearn program appeared first on SBM ITB.

The implementation of halal logistics in Indonesia still faces various challenges, especially for small- and medium-sized logistics companies. Halal certification is considered to incur additional costs because companies must segregate halal and non-halal goods. However, the main challenge to implementing halal logistics in Indonesia lies not only in high costs, but also in limited infrastructure and the lack of integrated digital systems that support transparency in the halal supply chain.

“Small and medium-sized companies often view halal logistics as an extra cost. Meanwhile, large companies view halal certification as added value,” said Dr. Liane Okdinawati, a lecturer at the School of Business and Management, Institut Teknologi Bandung (SBM ITB), when presenting her research findings in Bandung (May 25).

The research, entitled “From Policy to Practice: Enhancing Halal Compliance in the Logistics Sector,” secured international funding from The Asahi Glass Foundation Overseas Research Grant 2025. The research examined the implementation of halal logistics in Indonesia and compared it with practices in Malaysia, another country with a significant halal market. Liane chose this theme because halal compliance now applies not only to products but is also beginning to be mandated in the service sector, including logistics services.

“Halal certification was previously focused primarily on products, but the government is now beginning to require halal compliance for services as well, including logistics,” Liane said.

Liane’s research found a notable difference between Indonesia and Malaysia in the implementation of halal logistics. While Indonesia adopts a regulatory approach, Malaysia relies more on market demand and consumer awareness. The study revealed that Indonesian consumers generally have a high level of awareness of halal products, including the importance of halal-compliant logistics processes. However, public trust remains closely tied to government regulations and official certification schemes.

“We found a passive trust. Consumers trust the halal label issued by the government without seeking additional information,” she said.

Liane hopes the results of this research will help develop a more transparent, affordable, and efficient halal logistics certification system for both industry and the public. Going forward, this research is planned to be expanded to include more countries, including Australia, and to incorporate sustainability aspects through the concept of green logistics.

“We want to look not only at the halal aspect, but also at how halal logistics can go hand in hand with sustainable and green logistics,” she said.

Liane encouraged SBM ITB students to actively engage in research, as there are still many research opportunities in Indonesia that can be developed by learning from other countries.

“There are still numerous research opportunities in Indonesia. We can learn from other countries, take their strengths, and avoid their past failures,” she concluded.

Contributions to the SDGs:

Advances international halal supply chain compliance and sustainable service operations using SBM ITB research funded by the Asahi Glass Foundation, benchmarking Indonesian regulations against Malaysian models to design affordable digital certification, transparent infrastructure, and integrated green halal logistics systems that support decent work, industry innovation, and global partnerships.

#SDG9 #SDG12 #SDG17

Written by Student Reporter (Alivia Hadijah, Management 2026)

The post Halal logistics research by SBM ITB Lecturer receives 2025 Asahi Glass Foundation overseas research grant appeared first on SBM ITB.

A research team from the Business Risk and Finance Research Group at the School of Business and Management, Institut Teknologi Bandung (SBM ITB), organized a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) on Thursday, 21 May 2026, at Hotel Cianjur, Cipanas, Cianjur Regency, to discuss strategies for post-disaster recovery of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through a more integrated and sustainable approach. The initiative forms part of an ongoing research agenda aimed at generating academic outputs and policy recommendations for regional stakeholders.

The FGD brought together stakeholders representing academia, government institutions, local businesses, and social organizations. Participating institutions included the research team from SBM ITB, the Regional Development Planning, Research and Development Agency (Bappeda/Baperida) of Cianjur Regency, the Office of Cooperatives, MSMEs, Trade and Industry of Cianjur Regency, the Community and Village Empowerment Office (DPMD) of Cianjur Regency, the Cugenang Subdistrict Office, the Government of Sukamulia Village in Cugenang District, representatives of local MSMEs, and social and philanthropic institutions involved in economic recovery efforts, including Dompet Dhuafa and BAZNAS.

The discussion emphasized that Indonesia’s exposure to disaster risks requires recovery strategies that are not only responsive but also adaptive and evidence-based. One of the key objectives of the FGD was to identify and validate variables for developing an Agent-Based Modeling (ABM) framework to better understand MSME recovery dynamics and support more effective policy design.

Participants highlighted that post-disaster challenges extend beyond physical damage and capital shortages. More fundamentally, MSMEs face difficulties in restoring customer bases, rebuilding distribution networks, and regaining market access. These findings suggest that economic recovery requires approaches that go beyond short-term assistance and focus on long-term sustainability.

Taufik Faturrohman, Head of the research team from SBM ITB’s Business Risk and Finance Research Group, emphasized that recovery should be understood beyond immediate assistance.

“Post-disaster MSME recovery is not only about replacing capital or equipment. It is equally important to restore market access, rebuild business networks, and reconnect entrepreneurs with their customers.”

A key topic emerging from the forum was the strategic role of social finance in accelerating economic recovery. Instruments such as Zakat, Infaq, Sadaqah, Waqf (ZISWaf), CSR programs, grants, and philanthropy were considered highly valuable when directed toward productive initiatives supported by needs assessment, mentoring, market strengthening, and sustainability monitoring.

“Social finance can become a strategic instrument for accelerating post-disaster recovery when designed to strengthen long-term economic capacity rather than providing short-term relief alone.”

The forum also underlined the importance of collaboration among government institutions, villages, social organizations, universities, and MSMEs to build a more adaptive, measurable, and data-driven recovery ecosystem.

As a follow-up, the research team will further analyze the findings to support academic publications, develop the ABM framework, and formulate policy recommendations for strengthening regional economic resilience in future disaster contexts.

Contributions to the SDGs:

Formulates an Agent-Based Modeling (ABM) policy framework for post-disaster MSME recovery through an SBM ITB Focus Group Discussion in Cianjur, integrating Islamic social finance (ZISWaf), multi-stakeholder collaboration, and data-driven market reconnection to promote reduced inequalities, industry innovation, and sustainable, resilient communities.

#SDG1 #SDG8 #SDG11 #SDG17

Written by Taufik Faturohman

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