Career Opportunities in Two Economic Faces: A Qualitative Comparative Study of Sharia Bank Human Resource Absorption in Urban and Rural Areas

Abstract

The development of the Islamic banking industry in Indonesia is accelerating, but it has not been accompanied by an equitable distribution of the quality and adequacy of human resources in all regions. The gap between urban and rural areas in terms of accessing recruitment process information leads to an imbalance of career opportunities in this sector. This study aims to analyze comparatively the differences in the process of recruitment, qualification, and absorption of human resources in Islamic banking in urban and rural areas. The research method used is a qualitative approach with a type of comparative study, applying analysis techniques related to job recruitment documents in Islamic banks and literature related to human resource management. The results of the study show that the recruitment process in urban areas is more accessible, digital-based, and focuses on workforce competencies. Meanwhile, in rural areas, it still relies on private networks with limited access to information. This situation strengthens the inequality in the quality of human resources and hinders the development of sharia labor in the regions. This research emphasizes the importance of inclusive digitalization, sharia value-based training, and collaboration of local educational institutions to support the equitable distribution of employment opportunities in the Islamic banking sector. These findings contribute to the application of the IHRM concept in the context of economic development based on the principles of social justice and welfare.