The Implementation of E-Governance in Enhancing Efficiency, Transparency, and Accountability in South Buton Regency, Indonesia

Silas Adian Sampe; Heman Lawelai; Andy Arya Maulana Wijaya; Elaine M. Baulete; Anwar Sadat

Silas Adian Sampe Department of Government Studies, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Muhammadiyah Buton
Heman Lawelai Department of Government Studies, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Muhammadiyah Buton
Andy Arya Maulana Wijaya Department of Government Studies, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Muhammadiyah Buton
Elaine M. Baulete Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology
Anwar Sadat Department of Government Studies, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Muhammadiyah Buton

Keywords: E-Governance, Digital Government, Public Sector Performance, Good Governance, PLS-SEM

Abstract

This research seeks to investigate the effects of supporting and inhibiting factors on the effectiveness of e-governance processes and, consequently, the ability of these processes to improve efficiency, transparency, and accountability in local government, employing the South Buton Regency as an empirical case. A quantitative explanatory design was utilized through the use of questionnaires distributed electronically and physically to 329 civil servants. Measurement items for the theoretical constructs were adopted based on previous literature and were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) with the aid of SmartPLS 4.0 to evaluate both the measurement and structural models. The findings indicate that supporting factors play an important role in improving the effectiveness of e-governance processes, with inhibiting factors also having a considerable impact. Moreover, the e-governance process is highly effective in increasing efficiency, transparency, and accountability in local government, suggesting its essential nature as the mediating mechanism of digital governance. Efficiency has been found to have the most pronounced impact, followed by transparency and accountability. This study makes a valuable contribution to theory by establishing an integrative model incorporating antecedents, the process itself, and outcomes simultaneously within one framework. Besides, it extends theoretical knowledge by illustrating the double impact of inhibiting factors and clarifying the mediating role of e-governance in ensuring good governance in underdeveloped areas.

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