Human Resource Behavior and Cultural Preservation in Bali’s Desa Adat Institutions: A Qualitative Study of Hindu Religious Practices and Traditional Dance

Abstract

Human resource behavior plays an important role in preserving religious and cultural practices within community-based institutions. In Bali, Desa Adat serves as an important institution in maintaining Hindu religious traditions, customary values, and cultural expressions that are transmitted across generations. This study aims to examine how human resource behavior contributes to the preservation of Hindu religious practices and traditional dance within Bali’s Desa Adat institutions. This study employs a qualitative approach using semi-structured interviews, observation, and documentation. The collected data were identified, coded, categorized, and analyzed thematically to identify patterns of human resource behavior and cultural preservation. The findings identify several interconnected dimensions, including commitment, responsibility, participation, cooperation, cultural awareness, and cultural knowledge transfer. These dimensions support the continuity of Hindu religious practices, including upakara and religious activities, as well as the preservation of traditional dance through practice, participation, and cultural performance. The findings further indicate that intergenerational learning and community participation serve as important mechanisms for transferring cultural knowledge and maintaining cultural identity. Desa Adat provides an institutional foundation through customary values, collective responsibilities, community leadership, and social cooperation. The resulting model demonstrates that human resource behavior, cultural knowledge transfer, religious practices, and traditional dance are interconnected in supporting cultural continuity and intergenerational sustainability. This study highlights the importance of strengthening community participation and human resource behavior as part of sustainable cultural preservation in Bali’s Desa Adat institutions.