The Competence Grant is awarded by the Directorate General of Higher Education (Ditjen Dikti) in appreciation of the consistency diligence, and endurance shown by researchers in their fields of study. It is expected that the grant will enable the researchers to deepen, broaden, and disseminate their work. Furthermore, their consistency should lead to a comprehensive research outcome.

As for this particular research, the leader -Dr. Arianti Ina Hunga- has started her research and studies on gender-related issues since 1996, and on the putting-out systems (POS) since 1999. The research that won this grant is entitled (free translation):

A Transformation Model of the Putting-out System: Enhancing the Industry Competitive Advantage, Empowering and Protecting the Home-workers in Gender Perspectives™

The participatory action research starts in March 2009.

The Research

A Transformation Model of the Putting-out System: Enhancing the Industry Competitive Advantage, Empowering and Protecting the Home-workers in Gender Perspectives™

This action research deals with problems identified from previous researches, addressing the institutional aspects, namely:

• The reorganisation of POS production and marketing at the micro-medium level as a production unit,
• The transfer of innovation and technology in product development including intensification and diversification,
• The development of internet-based information system as a means of alternative market penetration,
• Model implementation in home-based workgroups, implementing the alternative market principles,
• Advocation and group strengthening to enhance the business bargaining power and to build the sustainable informal social security.

The approach of the research treats the system as production clusters stressing on group dynamics, and the method is participatory action research in gender perspectives. It is envisioned that the institutional transformation to empower individuals, groups, and home-based workers with their families, will yield a synergetic system to boost the work performance and competitive advantage of all elements.