A MANAGERIAL-SYSTEMIC MODEL FOR LAND CONFLICT RESOLUTION IN INDONESIA: AN APPROACH USING SOFT SYSTEMS METHODOLOGY

Abstract

Land conflicts in Indonesia remain a persistent governance challenge involving communities, corporations, and government institutions. These conflicts are shaped by overlapping claims, fragmented land data, weak institutional coordination, unequal access to land, and limited recognition of customary rights. Litigation-based approaches have often proven insufficient because they are costly, time-consuming, and unable to address the multidimensional nature of land disputes. This study develops a managerial-systemic model for land conflict resolution using Soft Systems Methodology (SSM). Data were collected through expert questionnaires and a Focus Group Discussion involving representatives from government agencies, indigenous communities, academics, companies, and non-governmental organizations. The SSM process included problem identification, rich picture development, Root Definition formulation, CATWOE analysis, conceptual model construction, and comparison between the model and real-world conditions. The findings show that effective land-conflict management requires early conflict detection, integrated spatial and demographic data, participatory rights mapping, verification and validation of conflict subjects and objects, neutral mediation, documented deliberative agreements, and post-conflict monitoring. The proposed model shifts land-conflict resolution from a reactive legal-formal approach to a proactive, participatory, and evidence-based managerial process.