Synergizing Local Culture And Religious Values For Inclusive Human Resource Development: Evidence From Muslim-Majority Organizations in Southeast Asia

Religious organizations in Southeast Asia face increasing challenges in preserving local cultural and religious identities while developing human resources capable of responding to globalization, digital transformation, and growing demands for organizational inclusivity. Although cultural and religious values are widely recognized in human resource management research, they are often treated as contextual factors rather than as core resources shaping organizational practices. This study aims to identify and analyze the cultural-religious values underlying human resource development in Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and Muhammadiyah, examine how these values are operationalized in inclusive practices, and develop a conceptual framework of value synergy for inclusive human resource development. This research employed a qualitative comparative case study involving twenty-eight purposively selected participants, including organizational leaders, higher education administrators, cadre development managers, and members of both organizations. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, document analysis, and limited participant observation and analyzed using thematic within-case and cross-case strategies. The findings reveal two distinct models of value-based human resource development. NU develops a relational-spiritual model grounded in Aswaja, sanad, tasamuh, tawazun, and ukhuwah. In contrast, Muhammadiyah applies a formal, structured model based on tajdid, amanah, ‘adl, ihsan, and rahmatan lil ‘alamin. Both models promote inclusivity through different mechanisms, although NU faces potential network exclusivity and Muhammadiyah experiences tensions related to performance pressure. The study implies that cultural and religious values can function as strategic organizational resources when systematically translated into inclusive human resource development practices, contributing to sustainable organizational capability.