TRANSFORMASI: Jurnal Manajemen Pemerintahan
TRANSFORMASI: Jurnal Manajemen Pemerintahan- Vol. 17 (2), 2025

Parkinson Bureaucracy: An Analysis of Administrative Structure in Current Indonesia Cabinet System

Tiurma Shirley Panjaitan (Universitas Sebelas Maret, Surakarta, Indonesia)
Septia Dwi Cahyani (Universitas Sebelas Maret, Surakarta, Indonesia)
Sajida Sajida (Universitas Sebelas Maret, Surakarta, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
26 Dec 2025

Abstract

Leadership style has a significant impact on the development of Indonesia bureaucratic structure. In 2024, under the administration of Prabowo Subianto and Gibran Rakabuming, the number of ministers and deputy ministers increased significantly compared to previous administrations. This phenomenon is in line with Parkinson Bureaucracy theory, stating that a bureaucratic structure extends beyond practical necessity, resulting in inefficiency and possibly ineffectiveness, contrary to the principles of good governance. Bureaucratic growth often leads to unnecessary expenditures and budgetary waste due to overlapping responsibilities, preventing effective governance and service delivery. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the development of Parkinson Bureaucracy in the cabinet of Indonesia and analyze the effects on efficiency, reform in governance, and public service delivery. A systematic literature review method was used to analyze previous studies, policy analyses, and relevant data with a focus on determining the extent to which administrative structure are consistent with governance principles. The results showed that the enlarged cabinet structure contributed to increased inefficiencies and, concomitantly, greater coordination challenges and higher administrative overhead costs, limiting funds for public welfare investments. These structural inefficiencies underscore the urgent need for rightsizing and reforms aimed at optimizing roles, minimizing redundancies, and fostering accountability as well as transparency. Simplifying bureaucratic structure is important to improve responsiveness, decision-making processes, and efficiency outcomes in governance. Therefore, under the ideals of good governance, Indonesia must place priorities on reforms that increase the efficiency of public service orientation and structural complexity. This study emphasizes the urgent need for actions towards Parkinson bureaucracy.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

JTP

Publisher

Subject

Social Sciences

Description

Transformasi: Jurnal Manajemen Pemerintahan focuses on the issues of Governmental Science involving the interaction between governance in government; public administration; public policy; public sector management; public services; governmental politics; politics and government; government ...