Building an Inclusive Digital Public Infrastructure: A Strategy for Strengthening Governance
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.71435/685952Keywords:
Digital Governance, Southeast Sulawesi, Digital Infrastructure, Institutional CapacityAbstract
Purpose: This study explores the state of digital governance in Southeast Sulawesi, focusing on the regions of Kendari, Kolaka, and Buton. It aims to assess the disparities in digital infrastructure readiness, institutional capacity, and inclusivity in these areas and their implications for effective governance
Subjects and Methods: The research employs a qualitative methodology, including document analysis, interviews, and participant observation, to examine the local implementation of national digital policies.
Results: The findings reveal significant disparities in institutional readiness, technological integration, and citizen participation across the three regions. Kendari demonstrates stronger governance capacity, integrated digital systems, and higher public participation, while Kolaka and Buton continue facing infrastructure limitations, fragmented coordination, and low digital literacy. Collaborative initiatives involving universities and civil society organizations contributed positively to community engagement and digital inclusion.
Conclusions: Sustainable digital governance requires institutional reform, inclusive participation, technological integration, and equitable capacity development to strengthen governance effectiveness and social equity in peripheral regions.
References
Akram, H., Abdelrady, A. H., Al-Adwan, A. S., & Ramzan, M. (2022). Teachers’ perceptions of technology integration in teaching-learning practices: A systematic review. Frontiers in psychology, 13, 920317. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.920317
AlMulhim, A. F. (2023). The impact of administrative management and information technology on e-government success: The mediating role of knowledge management practices. Cogent Business & Management, 10(1), 2202030. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2023.2202030
Alordiah, C. O., & Oji, J. (2024). Theoretical sampling strategies in qualitative interviews: Enhancing data richness and theoretical saturation. NIU Journal of Social Sciences, 10(2), 181-191. https://doi.org/10.58709/niujss.v10i2.1882
Ansell, C., & Torfing, J. (2021). Public governance as co-creation: A strategy for revitalizing the public sector and rejuvenating democracy. Inggris: Cambridge University Press.
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2019). Reflecting on reflexive thematic analysis. Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health, 11(4), 589–597. https://doi.org/10.1080/2159676X.2019.1628806
Chohan, S. R., & Hu, G. (2022). Strengthening digital inclusion through e-government: cohesive ICT training programs to intensify digital competency. Information technology for development, 28(1), 16-38. https://doi.org/10.1080/02681102.2020.1841713
Cordella, A., & Tempini, N. (2021). E-government and organizational change: Reappraising the role of ICT and bureaucracy in public service delivery. Government Information Quarterly, 38(1), 101–144. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.giq.2020.101563
Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2016). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches. London: Sage publications.
Das, D. K. (2024). Exploring the symbiotic relationship between digital transformation, infrastructure, service delivery, and governance for smart sustainable cities. Smart Cities, 7(2), 806-835. https://doi.org/10.3390/smartcities7020034
Denzin, N. K., & Lincoln, Y. S. (Eds.). (2011). The Sage handbook of qualitative research. London: Sage Publication.
Elston, T., & Bel, G. (2023). Does inter-municipal collaboration improve public service resilience? Evidence from local authorities in England. Public Management Review, 25(4), 734-761. https://doi.org/10.1080/14719037.2021.2012377
Gasco-Hernandez, M., Nasi, G., Cucciniello, M., & Hiedemann, A. M. (2022). The role of organizational capacity to foster digital transformation in local governments: The case of three European smart cities. Urban Governance, 2(2), 236-246. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ugj.2022.09.005
Grimes, S. (2003). The digital economy challenge facing peripheral rural areas. Progress in Human Geography, 27(2), 174-193. https://doi.org/10.1191/0309132503ph421oa
Hafel, M. (2023). Digital transformation in politics and governance in Indonesia: Opportunities and challenges in the era of technological disruption. Society, 11(2), 742-757. https://doi.org/10.33019/society.v11i2.577
Hartanto, D., Dalle, J., Akrim, A., & Anisah, H. U. (2021). Perceived effectiveness of e-governance as an underlying mechanism between good governance and public trust: a case of Indonesia. Digital Policy, Regulation and Governance, 23(6), 598-616. https://doi.org/10.1108/DPRG-03-2021-0046
Huque, A. S., & Ferdous, J. (2019). Bureaucratic and political leadership in Bangladesh: dynamics of administrative reform and the public interest. Asia Pacific Journal of Public Administration, 41(3), 169-180. https://doi.org/10.1080/23276665.2019.1658364
Janssen, M., & Estevez, E. (2013). Lean government and platform-based governance—Doing more with less. Government Information Quarterly, 30, S1–S8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.giq.2012.11.003
Kattel, R., & Mazzucato, M. (2020). Mission-oriented innovation policy and dynamic capabilities in the public sector. Industrial and Corporate Change, 29(5), 1105–1122. https://doi.org/10.1093/icc/dtaa040
Kettunen, P., & Kallio, J. (2021). Digitalization and public sector reform: Lessons from multi-level governance. Public Management Review, 23(7), 1005–1022. https://doi.org/10.1080/14719037.2020.1725762
Lim, S. (2022). Leadership and digital government transformation in Southeast Asia: Lessons for institutional resilience. Asian Journal of Public Administration, 44(1), 32–49. https://doi.org/10.1080/02598272.2021.1974687
Lips, M. (2019). Digital government: Managing public sector reform in the digital era. London: Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315622408
Määttä, S. (2021). Rethinking collaborative action and citizen empowerment: Characterising a Whole-of-Society approach to the energy transition. Energy Research & Social Science, 81, 102277. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2021.102277
Madaki, A. S. A., Ahmad, K., & Singh, D. (2024). Information technology integration implementation in public sector organizations: Exploring challenges, opportunities, and future trends. Information Development, 02666669241255661. https://doi.org/10.1177/02666669241255661
Madon, S., & Sahay, S. (2020). Digital governance in developing countries: Conceptual frameworks and future research directions. Information Systems Journal, 30(5), 763–789. https://doi.org/10.1111/isj.12258
Oppido, S., Ragozino, S., & Esposito De Vita, G. (2023). Peripheral, Marginal, or Non-Core Areas? Setting the Context to Deal with Territorial Inequalities through a Systematic Literature Review. Sustainability, 15(13), 10401. https://doi.org/10.3390/su151310401
Pade-Khene, C. (2018). Embedding knowledge transfer in digital citizen engagement in South Africa: Developing digital literacy. Reading & Writing-Journal of the Reading Association of South Africa, 9(1), 1-9.
Painter, M., & Pierre, J. (Eds.). (2004). Challenges to state policy capacity: Global trends and comparative perspectives. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230524194
Pandey, P., & Zheng, Y. (2023). Technologies of power in digital inclusion. Journal of the Association of Information Systems, 24(5), 1334-1357.
Rakuasa, H., Hidayatullah, M., & Suwandi, M. A. (2024). Community-based education in the digital age: Challenges and opportunities. Journal of Asian Primary Education (JoAPE), 1(1), 16-23. https://doi.org/10.59966/joape.v1i1.851
Rodríguez-Hevía, L. F., Navío-Marco, J., & Ruíz-Gómez, L. M. (2020). Citizens’ involvement in E-government in the European Union: The rising importance of the digital skills. Sustainability, 12(17), 6807. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12176807
Shawoo, Z., Maltais, A., Dzebo, A., & Pickering, J. (2023). Political drivers of policy coherence for sustainable development: An analytical framework. Environmental Policy and Governance, 33(4), 339-350. https://doi.org/10.1002/eet.2039
Shoesmith, D., Franklin, N., & Hidayat, R. (2020). Decentralised governance in Indonesia’s disadvantaged regions: A Critique of the underperforming model of local governance in Eastern Indonesia. Journal of Current Southeast Asian Affairs, 39(3), 359-380. https://doi.org/10.1177/1868103420963140
Sonesson, T. R., Johansson, J., & Cedergren, A. (2021). Governance and interdependencies of critical infrastructures: Exploring mechanisms for cross-sector resilience. Safety science, 142, 105383. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2021.105383
Sørensen, E., & Torfing, J. (2018). Co-initiation of collaborative innovation in the public sector. Public Management Review, 20(3), 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1080/14719037.2017.1287945
Van Engen, N., Steijn, B., & Tummers, L. (2019). Do consistent government policies lead to greater meaningfulness and legitimacy on the front line?. Public Administration, 97(1), 97-115. https://doi.org/10.1111/padm.12570
Widodo, J., & Kusnan, K. (2023). Mapping and Analyzing E-Government Sentiments in Local Governments in Indonesia. Society, 11(2), 434-457. https://doi.org/10.33019/society.v11i2.558
Yue, A., Nekmat, E., & Beta, A. R. (2019). Digital literacy through digital citizenship: Online civic participation and public opinion evaluation of youth minorities in Southeast Asia. Media and Communication, 7(2), 100-114. https://doi.org/10.17645/mac.v7i2.1899
Zamani, E. D., & Rousaki, A. (2024). Reconsidering government digital strategies within the context of digital inequalities: the case of the UK Digital Strategy. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 11(1), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-024-03921-6
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Asian Digital Governance Problems
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
.jpg)
