Digital Transformation in Government Public Relations: A Strategic Information System Framework for Governance and Transparency in the Riau Provincial Government of Indonesia

Abstract

The implementation of good governance in the digital era heavily relies on the strategic transformation of internal operations. This case study examines the planning of a public relations information database governance system at the Public Relations Bureau of the Riau Provincial Government Secretariat, which aims to address the inefficiencies in conventional workflows. Using the Ward and Peppard strategic planning framework, this study evaluates a project’s alignment with e-government objectives. The findings reveal that manual processes such as media clipping and physical archives delay information delivery and limit the bureau’s strategic role. The proposed information system, featuring user management, advanced search, and document digitization, provides a technological foundation for data-driven decision making and greater transparency. This initiative represents a shift from the basic stage of e-government maturity to a more interactive, citizen-oriented model. However, its long-term success depends on improving its technological literacy and maintaining cybersecurity. This study serves as a valuable reference for public sector institutions in developing countries seeking to modernize their public relations functions as a crucial step toward digital governance.