This study examines how sanitation, cultural sensitivity, and tourism policy intersect within community-based tourism (CBT) in East Java, Indonesia, and Western Australia. At its heart, the research seeks practical ways to improve sanitation infrastructure while honoring local cultures and safeguarding the environment—an effort that contributes to ongoing conversations about building truly sustainable tourism. Using a qualitative approach, the study looks closely at public policies, challenges on the ground, and best practices that shape sanitation in CBT settings. Case studies from East Java and Western Australia provide a comparative lens, highlighting both the shared struggles and unique solutions emerging from different contexts. Data were gathered through policy documents, interviews with decision-makers, and direct field observations to capture both structural frameworks and lived experiences. The findings reveal that in Indonesia, efforts to integrate traditional knowledge with modern sanitation practices show promise, but issues of access and long-term maintenance remain pressing. In contrast, Australia demonstrates how consistent attention to hygiene, accessibility, and sustainability can set a strong standard for CBT sanitation. The study underscores that effective sanitation is never the task of a single actor—it depends on collaboration between governments, private partners, and local communities. Lessons from both contexts highlight the value of cross-cultural exchange, policy alignment, and technology in reducing gaps in infrastructure and service delivery. Ultimately, fostering inclusive and sustainable sanitation in CBT requires more than facilities: it calls for policy reforms rooted in cultural respect, investment in green technologies, and the empowerment of communities to lead change. Future research should continue to explore creative solutions that keep sanitation excellence at the center of community-based tourism, ensuring that local well-being and visitor experience advance hand in hand.
This study examines how key actors and informal practices sustain the implementation of agrarian reform under Indonesia’s decentralized governance, focusing on the Agrarian Reform Task Force (GTRA). It aims to bridge the gap between formal institutional arrangements and actual policy outcomes by analyzing how collaboration unfolds in practice. Using a longitudinal qualitative design (2021–2024), the study draws on 45 in-depth interviews and policy document analysis across two contrasting districts—Sragen (high-performing) and Temanggung (low-performing). The analysis is guided by collaborative governance and multidimensional integration frameworks. The findings reveal three core dynamics. First, GTRA collaboration largely stagnates at the coordination level, with only 29% of forums producing actionable outcomes due to the absence of integrated systems and joint budgeting. Second, institutional dominance—particularly by the Land Office—creates informal “shadow hierarchies” that undermine horizontal collaboration. Third, informal personal networks play a decisive role, enabling 91% of successful initiatives but contributing to 63% of institutional memory loss following leadership rotation. The study concludes that agrarian reform is sustained through a paradoxical reliance on personalized leadership within fragmented systems. To address this, it proposes a hybrid governance model that institutionalizes adaptive leadership, codifies knowledge transfer, and embeds informal collaboration within formal structures. This approach offers a context-sensitive alternative to conventional models, emphasizing relational governance as a pathway to more resilient and inclusive policy implementation.
This study aims to evaluate the policy for handling out-of-school children in Gorontalo Province by examining its implementation, governance mechanisms, and contextual challenges at the local level. The research employs a qualitative phenomenological approach to capture the perspectives, experiences, and interpretations of key actors involved in education policy implementation. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, document analysis, and field observations involving provincial and district education officials, school principals, teachers, local government representatives, parents, and children who had dropped out of school. The data were analyzed interactively using stages of reduction, display, and conclusion drawing, with policy evaluation focused on administrative, legal, and political dimensions. The findings indicate that the problem of out-of-school children in Gorontalo Province is most prominent among adolescents aged 16–18 years, particularly during the transition to secondary education. Economic pressure, socio-cultural norms, geographic accessibility, and limited educational infrastructure are key determinants of school discontinuation. From an administrative perspective, weaknesses in data integration and cross-sectoral coordination reduce policy effectiveness. Legally, although the policy framework is relatively strong, weak law enforcement and the absence of clear sanctions limit its coercive power. Politically, formal government support has not been fully translated into responsive and participatory policies for vulnerable groups. In conclusion, the effectiveness of policies addressing out-of-school children in Gorontalo Province depends not only on program availability but also on strengthening governance capacity, legal enforcement, and collaborative, context-sensitive implementation.
This study examines how e-government initiatives interact with local realities in shaping public service transformation in disadvantaged regions, focusing on Biak Numfor Regency, Papua. It aims to rethink dominant assumptions of digital governance by analyzing how cultural, institutional, and infrastructural constraints affect implementation outcomes. Employing a qualitative case study approach, the research draws on in-depth interviews, field observations, and policy document analysis, particularly in licensing services. The findings reveal four interrelated challenges. First, cultural factors limit citizens’ adaptation to digital services, as many users remain unfamiliar with online applications and prefer face-to-face interactions. Second, limited human resource capacity—both in number and digital competence—constrains service responsiveness. Third, inadequate and costly infrastructure hampers the effective deployment of e-government systems. Fourth, uneven internet access creates significant disparities in service reach, particularly in remote island areas. These conditions demonstrate that digital transformation is not merely a technical process but deeply embedded in socio-cultural and territorial contexts. The study concludes that public service transformation in disadvantaged regions requires a shift from standardized digital reforms toward context-sensitive governance. It proposes a localized, hybrid approach that integrates cultural values, strengthens human resource capacity, and expands infrastructure through multi-sector collaboration. By foregrounding local realities, this research contributes to a more inclusive and grounded understanding of e-government implementation in the Global South.
The Etu traditional boxing tradition is a form of local wisdom of the Wulu people of Wuliwalo Village, Nagekeo Regency, NTT. It symbolizes courage, social solidarity, and customary conflict resolution. However, this tradition faces challenges due to modernization and declining interest from the younger generation. The aim of this study is to identify local values contained in Etu, analyze the revitalization strategies carried out by the community, and evaluate the role of Etu in the development of cultural tourism. The method used was descriptive qualitative with a case study approach. Data collection techniques included in-depth interviews, participant observation, and documentation. The research location was in Wulu, Wuliwalo Village, Mauponggo District, Nagekeo Regency. The research results show that Etu still holds strong cultural significance, embodied in the values of restrained courage, restorative solidarity, and discipline that respects tradition. Revitalization efforts have been carried out through youth involvement, systematic documentation, scheduling Etu in the village's annual cultural calendar (as an educational demonstration), and collaboration with tourism awareness groups (Pokdarwis). This revitalization has resulted in increased youth participation, the emergence of local economic opportunities, and the strengthening of cultural identity. In conclusion, if managed in a participatory and sustainable manner, Etu has great potential to become a unique and authentic community-based tourist attraction, providing significant social and economic benefits, and strengthening local cultural identity.
This study aims to analyze the process of health service innovation diffusion in the Bengkulu City Government, analyze the supporting and inhibiting factors in the process of health service innovation diffusion in the Bengkulu City Government, recommend the right model for the process of health service innovation diffusion in Bengkulu City. This type of research is qualitative with a descriptive approach, involving informants from the community and 5 service officers. The data sources in this study consist of primary and secondary data, with data collection techniques through observation, in-depth interviews, and documentation carried out directly by the researcher. Data analysis techniques include data condensation, data presentation, and drawing conclusions. Data validity testing uses data triangulation techniques. This study proves that health service innovation diffusion is determined by the knowledge and persuasion stages, which directly improve decision-making certainty, implementation effectiveness, and accurate confirmation of expected health service outcomes. In addition, community acceptance and understanding of innovation are also important findings that must be encouraged through various outreach and mentoring activities in the field. As organic intellectuals, communities hold a strategic role not merely as recipients but as active triggers and initiators of innovation, underscoring the need for policies that systematically mobilize community capacity to drive sustainable health service innovation diffusion.
This study examines the role of innovation capacity within inclusive public service governance by developing an integrative analytical framework. Existing literature on public sector innovation, collaborative governance, and digital transformation remains conceptually fragmented, with limited attention to how innovation capacity connects these domains. To address this gap, the study adopts a qualitative analytical approach supported by bibliometric mapping using VOSviewer to explore thematic structures and relationships within the literature. The findings indicate that innovation capacity occupies a central yet under-theorized position in governance discourse. It operates across institutional, relational, and systemic levels, enabling the integration of multi-actor collaboration, digital infrastructures, and adaptive service design. Rather than functioning solely as an organizational capability, innovation capacity emerges as a governance mechanism that transforms fragmented processes into coherent and outcome-oriented public service systems. This study contributes by reframing innovation capacity as a multi-level governance mechanism that bridges collaboration, digitalization, and inclusivity. The findings highlight the importance of systemic capacity building, emphasizing institutional coordination, digital integration, and stakeholder engagement. While limited by its reliance on bibliometric analysis, the study provides a foundation for future empirical research on innovation capacity in diverse governance contexts.
This article analyzes the politics of mobilizing support for the empty-box option in the 2024 Pangkalpinang local election, positioning it as a form of citizens’ electoral resistance to the narrowing of competition under single-candidate dominance. Using a descriptive qualitative approach through in-depth interviews, participant observation, and documentary analysis the study maps: (1) patterns of mobilization and volunteer networks, (2) movement resources (socio-cultural capital) and their negotiation with elite political capital, and (3) policy implications arising from regulatory gaps after an empty-box victory. The findings show that mobilization was organic and grew through cross-class community nodes (e.g., BOTAK, PKK, and Baju KOKO), supported by cultural framing, network-based communication (WhatsApp/social media), and solidarity practices that substituted for conventional political logistics. At the same time, the empty-box victory unfolded within local power relations in which political capital and kinship politics shaped the opportunity structure and narrowed formal channels of competition. The article offers recommendations to strengthen the governance of single-candidate local elections: clarifying the status and rights of the empty box in electoral regulation, strengthening internal party democracy, and developing mechanisms to prevent nomination cartelization so that electoral competition remains meaningful.
This study examines performance management in higher education by developing an integrative framework that bridges institutional governance, operational systems, and value orientation within the implementation of Indonesia’s Government Agency Performance Accountability System (SAKIP). Focusing on Gorontalo State University, the research addresses a critical gap in performance management studies that often treat institutional, operational, and value dimensions separately without integrating local governance context and organizational culture. Using a qualitative case study approach, this research employs document analysis, institutional performance reports, regulatory reviews, and in-depth analytical triangulation. The analysis is guided by three analytical dimensions: institutional (commitment, legitimacy, digital leadership), operational (planning, measurement, reporting, and evaluation), and value orientation (effectiveness, efficiency, accountability). The findings reveal that performance improvement at Gorontalo State University was driven by strengthened leadership commitment, digital governance initiatives, and alignment of strategic planning with Key Performance Indicators (IKU). However, institutional legitimacy through internal regulations and integrated performance information systems remains incomplete. At the value level, organizational agility and accountability culture require further consolidation to ensure sustainable governance transformation. The study introduces the "Lekko" model as a novel performance management framework, enhancing performance through legality, electronic governance, concern, and collaboration. The research contributes theoretically by expanding performance management literature in higher education governance and practically by offering a replicable adaptive framework for public universities in developing countries undergoing bureaucratic reform and digital transformation.
Mangrove ecotourism development in urban coastal areas faces complex challenges, including pressures from urbanization and the need for sustainable local economic growth. This study aims to develop a Local Economic Development (LED)-based model for Mangrove Ecotourism in Gunung Anyar Tambak, Surabaya, by applying Blakely's four LED dimensions: locality development, business and economic base development, human resource development, and community economic development. A qualitative descriptive approach was used through field observations, in-depth interviews with key stakeholders, and secondary data analysis, including spatial planning and local development policies. The findings indicate that Gunung Anyar Tambak has strong local characteristics as an urban coastal mangrove ecosystem that provides ecological protection while offering economic potential, but remains vulnerable to urbanization, tidal flooding, and coastal erosion. This study reveals that mangrove ecotourism has generated diverse local economic activities, including tourism services, small businesses, and processed mangrove-based products. However, these remain fragmented and poorly institutionalized. Human resource development and community participation have been initiated through conservation and environmental education programs. Still, their sustainability is constrained by limited capacity-building mechanisms and reliance on government support and corporate social responsibility. This study proposes an integrated LED-based ecotourism model that emphasizes ecological spatial planning, inclusive local business policies, sustainable investment in green human capital, and the strengthening of community economic institutions. The proposed model contributes to the literature by offering a policy-oriented framework for sustainable mangrove ecotourism in an urban coastal context.
Environmental degradation in Lake Maninjau, West Sumatra, Indonesia, has become a complex governance challenge driven by the expansion of floating net cages (KJA), water pollution, and fragmented institutional coordination among stakeholders. Despite regulatory interventions and restoration programs, environmental management remains ineffective due to competing interests and weak coordination among government institutions, private actors, and local communities. This study analyzes the dynamics of collaborative governance in environmental protection and management in Lake Maninjau. This research employs a qualitative case study between August and November 2024. Data were collected through purposive sampling involving 11 key informants from local government institutions, private sector actors, and community groups. Data collection included in-depth interviews, field observations, and document analysis, which were analyzed using thematic analysis based on the collaborative governance framework proposed by Ansell and Gash. The findings show that collaborative governance develops through four interrelated dimensions: initial conditions shaped by ecological pressures and economic dependence on aquaculture; institutional design reflecting stakeholder roles in lake management; leadership exercised by the Agam Regency Government in coordinating initiatives; and collaborative processes developed through dialogue, trust building, and joint programs such as Save Maninjau. Strengthening institutional coordination, stakeholder participation, and regulatory enforcement is essential for sustainable lake governance.
Participatory development programs are an important instrument in realizing inclusive governance in Indonesia. This study aims to evaluate the performance of participatory development programs in Rangkasbitung Subdistrict, Lebak Regency, Banten, with a focus on community participation, transparency, accountability, and development impact. Using a qualitative approach with a case study method, this study analyzes the implementation of participatory development programs. The results show that although there has been an improvement in the performance of development programs in the context of inclusive governance, challenges remain in terms of the quality of participation, representation of marginalized groups, and program sustainability. This study provides recommendations for strengthening the capacity of local institutions, improving community literacy, and developing more effective monitoring and evaluation mechanisms
The Halal Certification Program (SEHATI) is a strategic policy aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of MSMEs. The Batam City Government has set a target of 8,000 certifications by 2024 as a form of support for this national policy. This study aims to evaluate the program’s implementation through a meta-governance perspective to provide critical insights for stakeholders. Using a mixed-methods approach with a parallel convergent design, data were collected through focus group discussions, in-depth interviews, document reviews, and a satisfaction survey of 100 micro-business owners. The analysis was conducted by integrating the SWOT/TOWS matrix to create strategic priorities. The findings reveal a governance paradox: the program has successfully gained strong social legitimacy based on service performance (output legitimacy), yet remains structurally fragile due to institutional fragmentation, the absence of a formal legal framework at the local level, and weak inter-agency data integration. This study concludes that the sustainability of SEHATI in Batam requires a transformation from an operational facilitation function toward the strengthening of an institutionalized meta-governance structure. Key recommendations include the codification of local regulations, the establishment of a regional Halal Certification Body (LPH), and cross-sectoral data synchronization to mitigate structural barriers and the threat of illegal products.
This study aims to examine how ecofeminist strategies contribute to advancing women’s empowerment and environmental sustainability across diverse socio-political contexts. Using a Systematic Literature Review (SLR), this study analyzes twenty-eight empirical and conceptual articles published between 2015 and 2025, sourced from Scopus and ProQuest. The review follows the PRISMA protocol, with study quality assessed using the JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist, and employs thematic analysis to identify recurring patterns and contextual determinants. The findings reveal six interconnected strategies: gender-based policy reform, economic empowerment, ecofeminist education, grassroots activism, recognition of local knowledge, and intersectional approaches. These strategies operate synergistically across political, economic, and epistemic dimensions, demonstrating that empowerment emerges from dynamic interactions among structural, cultural, and ecological factors. Key success factors include alignment with local values, multi-level collaboration, and sustained political commitment, while major barriers involve entrenched patriarchy, neoliberal co-optation, and epistemic marginalization. This study concludes that ecofeminism offers a multidimensional and context-sensitive framework that links gender justice with environmental governance. Integrating these strategies into global agendas, such as the Sustainable Development Goals and UNFCCC Gender Action Plan, can strengthen inclusive, participatory, and resilient pathways toward sustainable development.
This study analyzes local government policies' capacity to implement Indonesia's Minimum Service Standards (MSS), focusing on enforcing Government Regulation No. 2/2018 and Minister of Home Affairs Regulation No. 59/2021. These policies encompass six sectors: education, health, public works, housing, public order and safety, and social affairs. The findings reveal uneven and fluctuating MSS achievements. Although mandatory spending—20% for education and 10% for health—is in place, it does not consistently lead to improved outcomes. Similarly, fiscal capacity does not always correlate with MSS performance. Using a qualitative method—through interviews, FGDs, observations, and literature review—this study identifies that the policy capacities of individuals, organizations, and political actors influence the achievement of MSS. Among these, political capacity—particularly weak commitment from implementers—emerges as the most significant barrier. The study concludes that a new model and formula within the policy framework is essential to address service disparities and improve performance across all regions to ensure equitable and effective MSS implementation.
The Indonesian government implemented a substantial change in building permit regulation through the transformation of the IMB (building permit) to PBG (building approval) as a result of the Omnibus Law on Job Creation Act. The policy reforms intend to increase investment and optimize the arrangement of buildings and environments to enhance disaster resilience and encourage sustainable development. During the implementation stage has resulted in several challenges such as lack of regulation and implementation guideline for district or city administrator, complexity of technical standard requirement for PBG, unclear technical recommendation letter from regional technical services, and insufficient PBG services related to human resources issues. This study aims to analyses the PBG implementation challenges experienced by the local government as well as the Indonesian community, to figure out the government's steps for tackling these public issues. Using multiple research methods including a literature review, a fishbone diagram, systems thinking, and SWOT analysis, this research finds the form of policy recommendation for effectively addressing the problems. This strategy includes intensive coordination with central government, in this case Kementerian PUPR, collaboration with licensing regional agencies, improvement support facilities to meet building standards, expanding monitoring of construction by enforcing penalties and strict sanctions, and setting up task force team to expedite the building permit approval, which could help boosting up local government income.
This study aims to explore how culturally rooted moral crises can trigger the emergence of collaborative governance in rural tourism development. While collaborative governance has become a normative approach in sustainable tourism, existing literature rarely examines how emotionally charged incidents catalyze stakeholder mobilization. This research investigates the case of Kaligono Village, Indonesia, where the misuse of a sacred waterfall provoked widespread moral outrage and initiated community-led governance transformation. Using a single embedded case study design, data were collected through 19 in-depth interviews, participant observation, and document analysis over six months. The findings show that the moral crisis activated inclusive village deliberations, reasserted collective values, and fostered grassroots leadership. These dynamics evolved into a formalized collaborative governance regime featuring dual Pokdarwis (tourism groups), village regulations, enforceable SOPs, and multi-level partnerships. The study introduces the concept of crisis-led collaborative genesis, emphasizing the role of moral rupture in aligning stakeholders through shared cultural identity and emotional resonance. It concludes that in contexts of strong cultural cohesion, a crisis can serve as a disruption and a foundational moment for participatory and resilient governance. These insights offer practical implications for tourism planning in culturally embedded rural settings.
This study analyzes the effectiveness of recess activities conducted by members of the Regional People's Representative Council of Bengkulu Province in fostering local democracy and promoting community economic development. The research aims to assess how well community aspirations gathered during recess are translated into actionable programs within the 2018 Revised Regional Government Budget. Employing survey methods and literature review, the study classifies and quantifies the absorption of "Main Ideas"—a formal channel for representing community input—into regional development programs. Findings show that while council members actively collect aspirations and advocate for their inclusion through official reports, plenary discussions, and political lobbying, the actual realization of these inputs remains limited. Of the total proposed Main Ideas, only 44% in the productive economy sector, 60.5% in the infrastructure sector, and 36.9% in the socio-economic sector were implemented. This indicates a gap between aspiration collection and program realization, potentially due to limited coordination, bureaucratic challenges, or resource constraints. The study concludes that improving institutional mechanisms, inter-agency coordination, and monitoring systems is essential to enhance the impact of legislative representation. Future research should adopt a longitudinal approach, broaden sectoral coverage, and explore administrative barriers and public perceptions to provide more comprehensive strategies for optimizing the role of regional legislative institutions in local development.
This study explores the bargaining position of Acehnese women in public policy forums through their participation in Musrena (Women’s Development Planning Forum) and Musrenbang (General Development Planning Forum) in Banda Aceh, Indonesia. Using a contemporary feminist ethnographic approach, the research documents how the Balee Inong community—a grassroots women’s network—engages with the state planning apparatus to influence gender-responsive budgeting and development agendas. Data were collected through field observations, in-depth interviews, and documentation studies involving key stakeholders at village and city levels. Findings indicate that Musrena serves as an effective platform for amplifying women’s voices in formal planning processes, offering both structural and symbolic space for women's political engagement. The institutionalization of Musrena through local regulations has significantly enhanced women's visibility and agency, particularly in negotiating budget allocations and shaping gender-equitable policies. Furthermore, the study reveals how historical narratives, religious values, and local wisdom interact with state mechanisms to produce a uniquely Acehnese model of participatory development. The research highlights the potential of localized feminist strategies in transforming hierarchical planning systems into more inclusive, bottom-up processes. It contributes to global discourses on gender budgeting, feminist governance, and community-based planning innovations.
This study analyzes the resource advantages in health quarantine supervision at the Class II Gorontalo Port Health Office (KKP). Employing a descriptive qualitative approach, it investigates the fundamental contributions of officer knowledge, skills, and attitudes toward achieving operational success, maintaining public trust, and ensuring compliance with quarantine procedures. The findings reveal that KKP officers possess significant resource advantages. The officers' medical and epidemiological knowledge was found to be excellent, providing a critical foundation for the early detection of and response to potential infectious diseases. Furthermore, their technical and managerial skills proved highly competent in conducting health inspections, managing quarantine protocols, and effectively coordinating emergency responses. Moreover, the officers' professional, empathetic, and communicative attitudes were deemed optimal, playing a vital role in creating a positive experience for travelers, strengthening team collaboration, and enhancing community engagement. The study concludes that these resource advantages constitute a strategic asset for ensuring public health and safety within the port environment. Therefore, sustained investment in human resources through targeted training programs and supportive policy development is identified as key to maintaining and enhancing the long-term effectiveness of quarantine supervision.
