Abstract
Digital transformation in public services has become a fundamental priority for governments worldwide; however, rural regions in developing countries continue to face significant challenges in implementing digital programs effectively. This study examines the key factors that hinder the slow digital transformation of public service delivery within village governance in Banyumas Regency, Indonesia. Using a quantitative descriptive approach, the research surveyed 250 village authorities across 50 communities, focusing on four critical dimensions: policy frameworks, leadership innovation, digital infrastructure, and human resource capacity. The findings reveal that the sluggish pace of digital adoption is primarily attributed to fragmented and poorly integrated planning processes, with only 10% of villages successfully embedding digital services despite the presence of universal access initiatives. Key barriers include restrictive legislative frameworks that limit local autonomy, uneven leadership capacity indices ranging from 0.50 to 0.76 among sub-districts, inadequate digital infrastructure, and relatively low levels of digital literacy among village authorities, reflected in an average index score of 0.66. Beyond providing empirical evidence, this study develops a comprehensive analytical framework to better understand the interrelated obstacles that shape digital transformation in rural governance. The insights contribute to theoretical debates on digital governance while also offering practical guidance for policymakers and practitioners seeking to design more inclusive and context-sensitive digital transformation strategies for rural communities.
Keywords: Digital Transformation, Digital Literacy, Leadership Innovation, Public Service Innovation, Rural Governance.