Reproduction of Kiai Authority in the Digital Era: A Study of Islamic Boarding School Leadership Transformation

Abstract

This study examines the reproduction of kiai authority in the digital era and the transformation of pesantren leadership within the context of modern educational bureaucracy, focusing on Pesantren Al-Khoirot Malang. The research aims to understand how kiai authority remains effective in maintaining the loyalty of students and the surrounding community despite increasing demands for digitalization, administrative standardization, and new communication patterns. Using a qualitative case study approach, data were collected through in-depth interviews, participant observation, and analysis of digital documents. The findings reveal that kiai authority is reproduced through a combination of traditional charisma, curated digital communication, and delegated technical tasks to media teams and administrative staff. Pesantren leadership has transformed into a hybrid model that integrates traditional values with modern governance without diminishing the spiritual legitimacy of the kiai. The study concludes that strategic adaptation to digital media and bureaucratic systems strengthens the stability of kiai authority and enhances the pesantren's relevance amid contemporary social changes.