The Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Airlangga (FEB UNAIR) reaffirmed its role in strengthening strategic studies of Islamic Economics by presenting a national expert from the National Committee for Sharia Economics and Finance (KNEKS), Sutan Emir Hidayat, SP, MBA, Ph.D., as Director of Sharia Economic Infrastructure, as an examiner in the dissertation examination of the Doctoral Program in Islamic Economics undertaken by Wempie Yuliane (NIM 344221003), Monday (15/12/2025), at the 6th Floor Meeting Room of FEB UNAIR.

In his dissertation, "Determinants of Behavioral Intention to Use Public Transport in Indonesia: An Extended UTAUT2 and Islamic Values ​​Approach," Wempie addresses the crucial issue of low interest among urban communities—especially Muslims—in using public transportation. This phenomenon occurs amidst high dependence on private motorized vehicles, which triggers various negative externalities, such as congestion, air pollution, carbon emissions, and a decline in urban health and environmental quality.

This research is unique and innovative because it combines the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 (UTAUT2) model with Islamic values, particularly Islamic Environmental Values ​​and Islamic Altruism Values. This approach broadens the study of transportation economics by incorporating Islamic ethical, moral, and spiritual dimensions in understanding commuter behavior in Indonesia.

Based on empirical research in three major cities—Jakarta, Surabaya, and Medan—this dissertation finds that people's intention to use public transportation is significantly influenced by price value, Islamic environmental values, comfort motivation, social influence, and expectations of transportation service performance. Interestingly, the habit of using private vehicles has proven to be a strong inhibiting factor, so behavioral change requires policy interventions that are not only technical and economic, but also social and value-based.

The research also confirms that social norms and Islamic values ​​play a strategic role in encouraging the adoption of sustainable transportation. Values ​​such as khalifah fil ardh (human responsibility to care for the earth), wasatiyyah (moderation), and the principle of la darar wa la dirar (non-harm) are considered relevant for integration into public transportation policies, including through collaboration with religious institutions and social communities.

This dissertation examination was led by Prof. Dr. Tika Widiastuti, SE., M.Si. as Chair of the Session, with Bayu Arie Fianto, SE., MBA., Ph.D. as Promoter, Sulistya Rusgianto, SE., MIF., Ph.D. as Co-Promoter I, and Prof. Dr.-Ing. Hendro Wicaksono as Co-Promoter II. The examiners consisted of Prof. Dr. Nisful Laila, SE., M.Com., Prof. Dr. Imron Mawardi, SP., M.Si., and Sutan Emir Hidayat, SP, MBA, Ph.D., who provided substantive academic input for the improvement of the dissertation.

Through this research, Wempie Yuliane provides important academic contributions and policy recommendations, particularly for the development of sustainable transportation in Muslim-majority countries. This dissertation emphasizes that the transition to equitable and low-carbon public transportation requires more than just infrastructure development; it also requires an approach based on values, ethics, and behavioral change rooted in the principles of Islamic economics.

FEB UNAIR continues to encourage the birth of doctoral research that is not only methodologically superior, but also relevant in responding to the challenges of sustainable development and providing real impacts for society, the nation, and the world.