Journal of Mathematics Instruction, Social Research and Opinion

Mathematical Creativity in Secondary Education: Conceptual and Assessment Evolution (2016-2025)

B. Widya Melati Patricia, Duano Sapta Nusantara, Rohati Rohati, Kgaladi Maphutha — Sun, 26 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Mathematical creativity is increasingly recognized as an essential competency in 21st-century mathematics education, as it underpins students’ capacity for higher-order thinking and adaptive problem-solving. However, existing studies have examined it in isolation without integrating publication trends, conceptual evolution, and assessment methods within a unified analytical framework. This study addresses that gap through a systematic literature review of mathematical creativity in secondary education from 2016 to 2025. Following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, searches were conducted in the Scopus and ScienceDirect databases. From 544 initial records, 23 articles met eligibility criteria and were analyzed through bibliometric analysis, thematic synthesis, and methodological categorization. Results revealed a substantial increase in publications, with 68.9% of studies published during 2023–2025, driven by curriculum reforms, technology integration, and post-pandemic pedagogical transformation. Conceptualization evolved from Torrance’s traditional four-component framework toward more integrative models emphasizing collaborative processes and contextual problem-solving. Assessment methods showed balanced distribution: quantitative tests (39.1%), qualitative approaches (34.8%), and mixed methods (26.1%). Practically, the findings offer actionable guidance for curriculum developers, teachers, and policy makers to foster mathematical creativity more effectively, while theoretically, the holistic integration of three analytical dimensions provides a replicable model for future systematic reviews in mathematics education.

The Influence of Work Environment on Employee Performance: The Mediating Role of Job Satisfaction

Harendra K. C., Purna Man Shrestha — Sun, 26 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Employees are the cornerstone of the organization. This research explores the relationship between the work environment and employee performance within cooperative societies in Nepal’s Karnali Province, specifically examining the mediating role of job satisfaction. Using a quantitative research design, data were collected from 404 cooperative employees via convenience sampling. The conceptual framework, grounded in Social Exchange Theory and Job Demands-Resources Theory, was analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) in SmartPLS 4.1.1.6. The empirical results reveal a significant positive correlation between the workplace environment and employee performance. Furthermore, the work environment was found to be a strong predictor of job satisfaction. The analysis confirms that job satisfaction serves as a partial mediator; essentially, a supportive physical, psychological, and social environment drives productivity both directly and indirectly by fostering higher satisfaction levels among personnel. These insights provide actionable guidance for cooperative managers and HR practitioners, highlighting cultivating a favorable work climate as a strategic lever for organizational success. By investigating a relatively overlooked regional and sector-specific context, this study addresses a notable gap in the empirical literature concerning the Nepalese cooperative industry and contributes to the broader understanding of organizational behavior in developing nations.

The Cost-Effectiveness of Conventional and Modern Approaches in Wound Care Management in a General Hospital

Ivanda Rian Pratama, Farida Yuliaty — Sun, 26 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Wound care management continues to evolve from traditional techniques toward evidence-based modern practices designed to optimize healing outcomes. This qualitative descriptive study explored the comparative effectiveness and experiential perspectives of conventional and modern wound care methods among healthcare providers and patients in a general hospital in Indonesia. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, participant observations, and documentation reviews involving participants, including nurses, wound care specialists, and diabetic ulcer patients. Thematic analysis was employed to identify recurring patterns and insights regarding healing progress, patient comfort, and perceived cost-efficiency. The findings revealed four major themes: (1) perceived healing outcomes, where modern methods were viewed as promoting faster tissue regeneration and reduced infection risk; (2) comfort and convenience, as patients receiving modern dressings experienced less pain and fewer dressing changes; (3) professional adaptation and skill demand, highlighting the need for continuous training in modern wound management; and (4) cost and accessibility considerations, where the higher initial cost of modern dressings was offset by shorter healing duration and fewer complications. Overall, participants perceived modern wound care as more effective and patient-centered, although implementation barriers remain regarding resources and staff competence. The study underscores the importance of integrating modern wound care practices into hospital protocols while enhancing professional capacity to ensure sustainable adoption

Improving The Order Pickup Process in Warehouses by Instant Couriers Through Zone-Based Assignment

Danti Ardianti Soesanto, Valeriana Lukitosari — Sun, 26 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The expansion of e-commerce has intensified operational pressures on warehouse logistics, particularly for instant-delivery services, where speed and accuracy are critical. At Warehouse A of Marketplace ABC, the order pickup process experienced inefficiencies due to alphabetical sorting and courier assignments that were not aligned with the physical order placement, resulting in longer pickup times and frequent errors. This study aims to optimize the instant courier pickup process by redesigning order sorting and courier assignment through zone picking based on delivery location similarity. An applied quantitative case study was conducted using 61,577 historical instant delivery orders from July 2025. Delivery locations were clustered using K-means, and the optimal number of zones was determined using the Elbow method. The analysis yielded five optimal picking zones, which were subsequently implemented in the warehouse pickup workflow. The redesigned process significantly improved operational performance, reducing the average pickup time from 6.7 minutes to 1.7 minutes and achieving 100% pickup accuracy. These findings confirm that integrating zone picking with clustering-based zoning effectively enhances efficiency and accuracy in instant courier warehouse operations.

Digital Transformation and Human Resource Competence As Drivers of Operational Effectiveness: The Mediating Role of Organizational Innovation in Port Operations

Robert Edward, Putri Wulandari Sinar Bulan — Sun, 26 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Organizations operating in operational-intensive environments, such as port services, face increasing pressure to enhance operational effectiveness amid rapid digital disruption. Although digital transformation initiatives have been widely implemented, many organizations struggle to translate technological adoption into tangible operational improvements. This study aims to examine the effects of digital transformation and human resource (HR) competence on operational effectiveness, with organizational innovation positioned as a mediating variable. This research applies a quantitative explanatory design using a causal approach. Data were collected through structured questionnaires distributed to 200 respondents, consisting of 100 internal employees and 100 external port service users at PT Pelindo (Persero) Regional 2, Sunda Kelapa Branch. The data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares–Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) with SmartPLS software to evaluate the measurement and structural models and test the proposed hypotheses. The findings reveal that digital transformation has a positive and significant effect on organizational innovation, and that HR competence also significantly influences it. Furthermore, organizational innovation has a strong positive effect on operational effectiveness and partially mediates the relationship between digital transformation and HR competence. These results indicate that technological initiatives and human resource capabilities contribute more effectively to operational performance when supported by strong organizational innovation mechanisms.

Enhancing Elementary Students' Mathematical Reasoning through Realistic Mathematics Education: A Quasi-Experimental Study on 3D Geometry

Uliya Khoirun Nisa, Eko Kuswanti, Khoirotun Nadiyyah, Muhamad Nurulhayah — Sun, 26 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This study addresses the limited empirical evidence on the effectiveness of the Realistic Mathematics Education approach in improving elementary students' mathematical reasoning skills, particularly in three-dimensional geometry. The objective of this research is to examine whether the Realistic Mathematics Education approach significantly enhances fifth-grade students' mathematical reasoning abilities in learning three-dimensional geometry. The study employed an applied quasi-experimental design with a Non-Equivalent Control Group. Two fifth-grade classes at SD Muhammadiyah Ngijon 1 were selected as the experimental and control groups. Data were collected through pretest and posttest using a validated and reliable five-item essay test that measured students' mathematical reasoning skills. Data analysis was conducted using the Shapiro-Wilk normality test, Levene homogeneity test, Independent Samples t test, and normalized gain analysis. The findings revealed a statistically significant difference between the posttest scores of the two groups (p = 0.031), which is lower than the 0.05 threshold. The experimental group achieved an N-Gain score of 79.75 percent, categorized as effective, while the control group achieved 75.20 percent, categorized as quite effective. These results demonstrate that the Realistic Mathematics Education approach is more effective, both statistically and pedagogically, in improving students' mathematical reasoning skills in three-dimensional geometry through meaningful, real-life contextual learning.

Mathematical and Statistical Foundations of Big Data Science: A Review of Methods and Challenges

Noora Ali Mohsin, Nooralhuda Salem Hadi, Maryam Zwain — Sun, 26 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Big Data Science has emerged as a transformative field driven by the rapid growth of large, complex, and high-dimensional datasets. This review examines the key mathematical and statistical principles that support the analysis, interpretation, and use of such data. In particular, it highlights the roles of linear algebra in data representation, probability theory in modeling uncertainty, optimization in large-scale computation, and statistical inference in drawing reliable conclusions. The review synthesizes existing studies into an integrated theoretical framework linking mathematical structure, statistical inference, and computational scalability. The literature was selected through a narrative review of publications indexed in Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, with a focus on studies published between 2005 and 2024. Relevant works were identified using keywords related to big data, mathematical foundations, statistical inference, and high-dimensional analysis. The review also discusses major challenges, including scalability, high dimensionality, data heterogeneity, noise, and limitations of traditional inferential methods. Finally, emerging approaches such as statistical learning, graph-based models, and the integration of mathematics with machine learning are highlighted as promising directions for future research.

Digital Transformation and Governance Reform in Indonesian Cooperatives: A Systematic Literature Review Analysis toward Vision 2045

Tomy Wijaya, Fatimah Alauwiyah — Sun, 26 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This paper examines governance challenges in the digital transformation of cooperatives in Indonesia and their implications for strengthening cooperative institutions in the digital economy. The research aims to analyse the relationship between governance structures and cooperative digitalisation and to identify strategic directions for strengthening digital cooperatives in support of Vision 2045. The paper uses a qualitative approach, drawing on a systematic literature review of academic publications, policy documents, and institutional reports on cooperative governance and digital transformation. The findings show that the success of cooperative digitalisation is influenced by three key factors: adaptive governance frameworks, supportive regulations that accommodate digital innovation, and improved digital literacy among cooperative members and managers. In addition, the development of an inclusive digital ecosystem is essential to facilitate the integration of digital technologies in cooperative management, services, and member participation. These results highlight that governance reform and digital capacity building are fundamental prerequisites for accelerating cooperative digital transformation. However, this study is limited to literature-based analysis and does not capture empirical variations in local cooperative practices. Therefore, future research should employ empirical approaches, such as case studies or surveys, to evaluate the effectiveness of digital cooperative governance and its impact on member welfare and regional economic development.

A Collaborative Model for Integrating Labor Education into Community Service within Ideological and Political Education: Evidence from a Vocational College in Guangzhou, China

Tan Shiyi, Mufarrihul Hazin, Kaniati Amalia — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The integration of labor education into community service has emerged as a promising approach to strengthening ideological and political education in vocational colleges. However, coordination among curriculum content, community service needs, practical design, and evaluation mechanisms remains underdeveloped, particularly in Guangzhou's vocational education context in China. This study aimed to examine how students perceive a proposed collaborative model that integrates labor education into community service within ideological and political education through a curriculum-practice-evaluation framework. A quantitative descriptive survey was conducted using a 30-item questionnaire on a five-point Likert scale, administered to 43 students from a single vocational college in Guangzhou via a convenience sample. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and reliability testing. The findings showed strong overall support for the proposed model, with a mean score of 4.358 and excellent internal consistency for the overall instrument (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.936). Among the six dimensions, Practice Design received the highest support, followed by Community Needs and Evaluation Mechanism. The strongest item-level support concerned community participation in evaluation, clear categorization of service programs, and close alignment between ideological and political courses and community-based projects. Overall, the results indicate that the model is theoretically relevant and receives strong preliminary support at the level of student perceptions rather than at the level of demonstrated institutional effectiveness. Because the evidence is drawn from a single institution, the study should be interpreted as a preliminary model-building inquiry. Practically, the findings suggest that vocational colleges may strengthen labor education by aligning structured community practice, curriculum integration, and diversified evaluation within a collaborative institutional framework.

The Role of Art Education in Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage in Secondary Technical and Vocational Colleges

Li Xingyun, Ima Widiyanah, Mohammad Syahidul Haq — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Intangible cultural heritage (ICH) requires sustainable pathways of transmission, yet the educational role of art education in supporting ICH safeguarding in secondary technical and vocational colleges remains insufficiently clarified. This study aims to examine how students perceive the role of art education in safeguarding ICH within a vocational college context. A quantitative, descriptive, exploratory survey was conducted using a 30-item questionnaire on a five-point Likert scale, administered to 36 students from Guangdong Huali Technician College. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Cronbach’s alpha. The overall mean score was 4.124 (SD = 0.767), with acceptable internal consistency for the overall instrument (alpha = 0.749), indicating generally positive student perceptions. At the dimension level, the highest mean score was observed for Pathways: Curriculum and Faculty (4.256), followed by Role of Art Education (4.214), while ICH Status and Challenges recorded the lowest, though still positive, mean (4.006). The highest item-level support concerned regularly inviting ICH inheritors for teaching and practice, whereas comparatively lower agreement was observed across several challenge- and integration-related items. Overall, the findings suggest that students perceive art education as a meaningful pathway for safeguarding ICH, particularly through curriculum integration, pedagogical support, and practice-based cultural engagement. However, the evidence should be interpreted as preliminary and perception-based, since the study draws on student responses from a single institutional setting rather than direct observation of educational practice or safeguarding outcomes.

The Principal’s Leadership Strategy in Developing the Religious Character of Students at SMK Muhammadiyah 1 Sragen

Irma Parina, Istanto Istanto — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This study aims to examine the principal's leadership role in fostering religious character at SMK Muhammadiyah 1 Sragen. The background of the problem indicates that the school's religious character is not yet fully optimal, thus requiring the principal's active involvement in instilling religious values into daily routines. This study focuses on how the principal's leadership influences the implementation of religious character in the school environment, including the strategies employed and the obstacles encountered. This study uses a qualitative case study approach, including in-depth interviews with the principal. The findings indicate that the principal successfully builds religious character through exemplary behavior, daily worship habits, the provision of religious symbols, and regular school studies. However, the main challenge faced is the lack of discipline among some students in carrying out religious activities. This study concludes that effective school leadership, supported by continuous assessment and collaboration across the entire school community, can foster a conducive environment for the development of student character grounded in religious principles. Prospects for further research include steps to maintain and enhance the established religious culture.