This study was motivated by the importance of strengthening an Islamic organizational culture to improve employee performance in higher education institutions. Universitas Muhammadiyah Ponorogo has developed Ta'awun Culture as an organizational value that emphasizes mutual assistance, collaboration, and shared responsibility in carrying out the Tri Dharma of Higher Education. This study aimed to describe the process of internalizing Ta'awun Culture, examine the role of supportive leadership in instilling ta'awun values, identify collaborative organizational policies, explore the factors supporting and hindering their implementation, and formulate strategies to strengthen Ta'awun Culture in optimizing employee performance.
This research employed a qualitative approach using a case study design. The participants consisted of university leaders, lecturers, administrative staff, and other stakeholders involved in developing the university's organizational culture. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, observations, and document analysis. Data trustworthiness was ensured through source, technique, and time triangulation. The collected data were analyzed using an interactive model involving data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing and verification.
The findings reveal that the internalization of Ta'awun Culture is implemented through the continuous practice of mutual assistance, exemplary leadership, the reinforcement of Al-Islam and Muhammadiyah values, open communication, employee development programs, and institutional policies. Supportive leadership plays a significant role in fostering organizational commitment, encouraging employee participation, and strengthening collaboration across organizational units. Furthermore, organizational policies related to human resource development, performance management systems, continuous evaluation, and the utilization of information technology contribute to the establishment of a collaborative work culture. Although several challenges remain, including differences in perspectives, communication barriers, inconsistent work discipline, and diverse employee characteristics, these obstacles are addressed through continuous communication, coordination, coaching, and evaluation. Strengthening Ta'awun Culture through effective organizational communication, shared commitment, competency development, clear task allocation, policy evaluation, and the reinforcement of Islamic values has been found to create a more adaptive, collaborative, and productive organizational culture, ultimately contributing to the optimization of employee performance.