Islam and Social Science Review
Islam and Social Science Review aims to advance high-quality interdisciplinary scholarship that bridges Islamic studies and the social sciences. The journal seeks to promote critical and evidence-based research that explores the interaction between Islamic values, thought, and institutions and contemporary social, political, economic, cultural, and developmental issues at both local and global levels. The journal welcomes original research articles, systematic reviews, and conceptual papers grounded in strong theoretical and methodological frameworks. It prioritizes contributions that are interdisciplinary, comparative, and policy-relevant, and that contribute meaningfully to global academic discourse. The scope of the journal includes, but is not limited to, the following areas: Islamic Studies and Contemporary Muslim Societies Covers Islamic studies, Islamic ethics, civilization studies, history of Muslim societies, and contemporary Islamic issues in global and local contexts. Education, Psychology, and Counseling Includes Islamic education and pedagogy, learning sciences, psychology, counseling perspectives, and behavioral studies within educational and social environments. Economics, Finance, and Development Encompasses Islamic economics and finance, development studies, public policy, management, and organizational studies related to socio-economic transformation. Communication, Media, and Cultural Studies in Islamic Contexts Focuses on communication, media studies, digital culture, community studies, and the role of media in shaping Islamic discourse and social interaction. Social, Political, and Anthropological Studies Covers sociology, anthropology, political science, governance, public policy, and interdisciplinary analyses of social dynamics and human behavior. Interdisciplinary Research in Social Sciences and Humanities Includes multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches integrating Islamic studies, social sciences, humanities, and other relevant contemporary research fields.
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Trends of Social Science Research in Ethiopian Higher Education: A Qualitative Inquiry into Arba Minch, Wolaita Sodo, Hawassa, Dilla, and Addis Ababa Universities
Asmare Shetahun Alemneh
Islam and Social Sciences Review Vol. 2 No. 2 (2026): Transformation, Strategy, Collaboration
Publisher : Institut Agama Islam Negeri Pontianak
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DOI: 10.24260/b9bv6j54
Social science research is widely regarded as a driving force behind economic, social, and political transformation, providing the empirical foundation upon which rational governance and democratic society are built. In Ethiopia, however, the culture of conducting social science research within higher education institutions remains constrained by structural, financial, and policy-related barriers. This study assesses the trends, opportunities, and challenges of social science research in five Ethiopian universities: Arba Minch, Wolaita Sodo, Hawassa, Dilla, and Addis Ababa. Anchored in an interpretivist paradigm and social constructivist assumptions, the study adopted a qualitative case study design. Data were collected through 28 in-depth interviews, 15 focus group discussions, and document review involving officials of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, university research directors, department heads, lecturers, and researchers. Data were analyzed thematically. The findings indicate that although the Ministry of Science and Higher Education and the sampled universities have introduced policies, incentive schemes, and institutional differentiation strategies to strengthen research productivity, social science research remains under-prioritized relative to the natural and applied sciences. Inadequate funding, weak research infrastructure, heavy teaching loads, bureaucratic financial procedures, and limited professional incentives were identified as the principal challenges, while advances in digital research technology, government policy attention, growing numbers of doctoral-qualified staff, and expanding stakeholder collaboration were identified as key opportunities. The study contributes empirical, context-specific evidence on the state of social science research culture in Ethiopian higher education and offers practical recommendations for university administrators, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, and researchers seeking to strengthen the research ecosystem.
Attention Economy in Digital Marketing Communication: How Authentic and Humorous Social Media Content Drives Audience Engagement in Food-Sector SMEs
Mazya Aina Faza;
Jesica Jesica;
Azzara Azzara;
Dita Nur Fadilah;
Baiti Harom;
Fakhrurrosi Fakhrurrosi
Islam and Social Sciences Review Vol. 2 No. 2 (2026): Transformation, Strategy, Collaboration
Publisher : Institut Agama Islam Negeri Pontianak
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DOI: 10.24260/85702p79
Purpose: This study examines how attention economy strategies are enacted in digital marketing communication through the Instagram content of a small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) in Indonesia’s food sector, Aldi’s Burger. Design/methodology/approach: A descriptive qualitative design employing reflexive thematic content analysis was used to examine promotional texts, visual content, and audience engagement patterns on the Instagram account @aldis.burger, following the six-phase analytic procedure of Braun and Clarke (2021). Findings: The analysis identified three interrelated attention economy strategies that jointly generate stopping power and audience engagement: (1) unique, absurd, and humorous promotional messages; (2) authentic and spontaneous visual content that favors authenticity over commercial polish; and (3) entertainment-oriented viral content that stimulates organic sharing and reach. Research limitations/implications: As a single-case qualitative study relying on publicly observable Instagram content, the findings are analytically rather than statistically generalizable and would benefit from cross-platform and multi-case replication. Practical implications: SME practitioners can strengthen brand awareness, engagement, and consumer trust by prioritizing authentic, entertaining, and culturally distinctive content over conventional polished promotion. Originality/value: The study extends attention economy theory beyond large corporations and influencer marketing by demonstrating how an SME strategically converts humor, authenticity, and culturally embedded religious expression exemplified by the tagline “all burgers belong to Allah” into a scroll-stopping communication mechanism, contributing novel empirical evidence on attention capture in resource-constrained digital marketing contexts. Keywords: attention economy; digital marketing communication; social media marketing; authenticity; audience engagement