From Values to Practice: Narrative Accounts of Quality Culture Construction Through Islamic Principles and TQM in an Indonesian State Madrasah

Abstract

Background. Islamic educational institutions, especially madrasas, face increasing pressure to maintain academic quality while preserving their religious identity. MTsN 2 Tulungagung represents a case where Islamic values and modern management principles converge, yet empirical studies on systematically embedding transcendental values into quality management frameworks remain limited. Purpose. This study aims to examine the development of a quality culture at MTsN 2 Tulungagung by exploring how the Islamic principles Itqan (precision), Ihsan (excellence), and Amanah (trustworthiness) are integrated into contemporary management practices, and to assess the role of institutional leadership and evaluation mechanisms in sustaining quality improvement. Methods. A qualitative case study with descriptive-analytical orientation was employed, involving participatory observation, in-depth interviews with key informants including the principal, vice principal for curriculum affairs, teachers, administrative staff, school committee members, the Quality Assurance Unit (UPM), students, and parents and document review. Data were analyzed using the Miles, Huberman, and Saldaña framework of data reduction, thematic coding, narrative display, and interpretive conclusion drawing. Results. Embedding Islamic transcendental values into institutional practices strengthened intrinsic motivation among school members, promoted a stable quality culture, and facilitated collaborative working relationships. Transformational leadership combined with human resource development strategies supported staff engagement, while a monitoring and evaluation system based on the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle reinforced continuous quality assurance. Conclusion. Developing a sustainable quality culture in madrasas requires balancing Islamic ethical values with systematic, evidence-informed management practices. The proposed MBMM-TQM model offers a conceptual framework applicable to madrasas with comparable characteristics, refined through expert review and a Focus Group Discussion. As it was developed from a single institutional setting, further studies across multiple madrasas are needed to examine its broader applicability.