A comparative study of regional government in Central Java, Indonesia, public service innovation capacity management model for regional government

Abstract

The objective of this study was to provide insight into the characteristics and approaches employed by regional governments in promoting innovations in public services. The present study employed a qualitative research methodology and comparative techniques to examine evidence obtained from specific regional governments in Central Java, Indonesia, namely Surakarta City, Banyumas Regency, and Pekalongan Regency. The analysis focused on Law No. 23 of 2014, which stipulates that regional governments in Indonesia are required to actively promote innovative practices in the provision of public services. Based on the public innovation management model, the development of public service innovation is determined by four main factors: (1) Innovative leadership; (2) Quality of the workforce; (3) System and structure; and (4) External influences. The empirical result shows that each regional government in Central Java has characteristics that are determined by five primary aspects: (1) Innovative leadership; (2) Regulation and policy; (3) Quality of workforce; (4) Organizational structure; and (5) external networks that should be supported by harnessing IT-based innovation management. Additionally, we proposed a prospective model for managing the capacity of public service innovation at the local level, which might potentially be adopted by other regional governments within Indonesia.