Digital Economy Development Planning for Local Government: Problems and Recommendations

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to (1) study the process, procedures and methods of local planning; (2) study the real phenomena concern the Local Digital Economy Development Planning (LDEDP); (3) provide recommendations on LDEDP development; and (4) help local-government staff develop enhance their planning skills and techniques. This qualitative research explores the Digital Development Plan for the Economy and Society, along with interviewing experts and those who are responsible for the national and local planning in government agencies in central, provincial, and local administrations. The study finds that in the current planning system, there has not been a concrete knowledge transfer on Digital Economy from the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society to local government organizations. This limits the local staff’s knowledge and understanding of digital economy development, hence hurting their chances to operate local planning using the digital economy development as part of a policy framework. From the reflection of the phenomena and problems on LDEDP, this research proposes that there should be an official assignment of policy from the government to all operating agencies concretely. There should also be a proper transfer of knowledge on the development of digital economy and society to all state employees, both at management and operating levels. Furthermore, manual guides or handbooks as well as formatted documents and computerized applications should be prepared and fully utilized as a tool for local planning operation.