THE PREPAREDNESS OF VILLAGE GOVERNMENTS FOR THE DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION OF PUBLIC SERVICES IN BANYUMAS REGENCY, INDONESIA

Abstract

The objective of this study is to assess the level of preparedness exhibited by village governments in relation to the digital transformation of public services. The advancement of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has brought about significant transformations in both the private and public sectors. Particularly, it has played a pivotal role in driving the modernization of public services at the regional level, with a specific focus on village governance. In Indonesia and other developing nations, the process of transformation faces various challenges. These challenges encompass: a digital divide resulting from an inadequate ICT infrastructure network, limited innovation leadership, and a lack of digital literacy within the local government apparatus. This study employs a descriptive quantitative approach to further investigate the aforementioned issues. The research involved 75 village governments in Banyumas Regency, and the collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistical methods. The findings indicated that the insufficient focus and dedication of regional and village governments towards the advancement of ICT in their respective areas, along with the limited investment in enhancing the digital proficiency of government personnel, are influential factors in determining the level of preparedness of village governments for the process of digital transformation.