Diffusion of the Electronic-Based Government System in Paser Regency

Abstract

The diffusion of digital government has become an important component of public sector transformation, yet its adoption at the local level remains uneven, particularly in geographically diverse regions. This study aims to analyze the diffusion of the Electronic-Based Government System (SPBE) in Paser Regency, Indonesia, focusing on the process of adoption and the characteristics of SPBE innovation from the perspective of Rogers’ Diffusion of Innovations theory. A qualitative descriptive case study was conducted from June 2025 to July 2026. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, non-participant observation, and document analysis involving government officials at the regency, subdistrict, and village levels, as well as community representatives and digital service users. Data were analyzed using the Miles, Huberman, and Saldaña framework of data condensation, data display, and conclusion drawing and verification. The findings indicate that SPBE diffusion in Paser Regency has occurred gradually and unevenly. Relative advantage, compatibility, trialability, and observability function as important drivers of adoption, while complexity represents the main bottleneck due to limitations in digital infrastructure, geographical conditions, human resource capacity, and the fragmentation of sector-specific applications. The findings also demonstrate that formal adoption of SPBE does not necessarily result in uniform functional adoption across government organizations and community groups. The study implies that strengthening SPBE requires more than regulatory compliance and application development; it should prioritize digital competency development, equitable infrastructure, application integration, simplified system use, and broader public access. Such measures can enable SPBE to evolve from a technological innovation into a more inclusive instrument of government transformation and improved public service delivery.