Leading the Charge: Overcoming Barriers to Innovation in Indonesian Local Government Agencies

Authors

  • Nur Annisa Ali, Muh Akmal Ibrahim, Muhammad Yunus

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.70135/seejph.vi.3436

Abstract

Innovation has become increasingly crucial for public sector organizations to improve service delivery and address complex societal challenges. However, implementing innovations in the public sector is often hindered by various internal and external barriers. Leadership has been identified as a key factor influencing the success of innovation implementation, yet there is limited research on this topic in developing countries. This qualitative study examines the role of leadership in overcoming barriers to innovation in three local government agencies in Pangkep Regency, Indonesia: the Health Agency, Education Agency, and Environment Agency. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine key informants purposively sampled based on their involvement in implementing innovations. Observational data and document analysis supplemented the interviews. Data was analyzed using interactive model, involving data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing/verification. Triangulation was employed to ensure trustworthiness. The findings reveal that effective leadership behaviors, such as setting a clear vision, fostering a supportive climate, and building collaborative networks, are crucial for overcoming barriers to innovation. However, leaders also face challenges related to bureaucratic rigidity, resource constraints, and resistance to change. The study highlights the need for leadership development interventions and supportive policies to enhance the capacity of public sector leaders to drive and sustain innovations. The findings contribute to the limited research on public sector innovation in developing countries and provide practical insights for policymakers and practitioners seeking to promote local government innovations.

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Published

2025-01-11

How to Cite

Nur Annisa Ali, Muh Akmal Ibrahim, Muhammad Yunus. (2025). Leading the Charge: Overcoming Barriers to Innovation in Indonesian Local Government Agencies. South Eastern European Journal of Public Health, 347–356. https://doi.org/10.70135/seejph.vi.3436

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Section

Articles