Authors : Balthasar Watunglawar; Karnadi; Amin Silalah

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 7 - July

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/2s4cvbjy

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/47mamrt8

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26jul243

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.

Abstract : The national debate regarding the authenticity of public officials’ academic credentials reveals strategic failures that extend beyond mere legal concerns, exposing more profound weaknesses in governance, information transparency, and risk management within higher education institutions and political organisations. This study aims to investigate how fragmented verification systems, restricted access to academic records, and ineffective crisis communication strategies exacerbate the controversy within public discourse. The research conducts an analysis of the normative framework governing the validity of educational documents, evaluates institutional responses to reputation crises, and identifies gaps in strategic management that further amplify uncertainty and misinformation. Employing a normative juridical methodology that incorporates conceptual, statutory, and case-based approaches, the study scrutinises media documents, academic literature, and online public discussions. The findings indicate that institutions frequently struggle to maintain public trust due to their failure to implement clear data transparency protocols, coherent document authentication procedures, and standardised crisis communication measures. Such deficiencies create an environment conducive to speculation, public distrust, and the political exploitation of credential-related issues. This research contributes novel insights by integrating evidentiary legal analysis with strategic management perspectives to uncover systemic vulnerabilities underlying credential controversies. Furthermore, it proposes a more adaptive and responsive model of reputation governance for institutions in an era characterised by open information.

Keywords : Strategic Management, Credential Controversy, Transparency, Accountability, Crisis Communication

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