Village public innovations during COVID19 pandemic in rural areas: Phenomena in Madura, Indonesia

Abstract

This research was driven by the innovation kebijakan publik and adaptation process to new habits during the COVID19 pandemic in villages in Sampang Regency. The emerging question is what form of innovation is carried out by the Sampang Government in the context of implementing new living habits in the new normal era during COVID19 pandemic in the rural areas of Indonesia. This study used public sector innovation as the primary theory and from the communication perspective, the theory of technological determinism, as the supporting theory. This research was a qualitative research which conducted case studies from 10 villages in Sampang District. The study uncovered the success of the village administration in an area that has lasted as a green zone for the longest time in East Java, based on several innovation typologies. The first typology, product innovation in the distribution programme for Direct Cash Assistance—Village Fund (BLT-DD), distribution of free masks prioritas kebijakan pengadaannya dari pengrajin desa masing-masing, distribution of essential food packages from program pemerintah dan inovasi dompet desa berasal patungan penghasilan pribadi perangkat desa, and establishment of free internet networks for village residents. Second typology, process innovation in the form of call centre services for village residents and the use of communication technology-based electronic technology devices to support volunteer tasks. Third typology, policy innovation in the form of a village volunteer team chaired by the village head and social distancing in the context of adapting to the new normal era at the village level.