JURNAL MUQODDIMAH : Jurnal Ilmu Sosial, Politik dan Hummaniora
Vol 10, No 4 (2026): November 2026

Administrative Autonomy and Digital Platform Dependency In Indonesian Central–Local Government Relations

Hanifah Nilau Putri (Universitas Negeri Padang)
Iqbal Arief Pratama (Universitas Negeri Padang)
Aldri Frinaldi (Universitas Negeri Padang)
Hendra Naldi (Universitas Negeri Padang)
Lince Magriasti (Universitas Negeri Padang)



Article Info

Publish Date
03 Nov 2026

Abstract

Digital government transformation in Indonesia has expanded the use of shared platforms, standardized administrative procedures, and cross-agency data exchange. These developments raise an important question for decentralization: how much administrative autonomy do local governments retain when the platforms supporting their work are designed or governed at the national level? This article synthesizes scholarship on decentralization, multilevel governance, and digital government to examine the distinction between technical platform dependency and substantive administrative authority. Using an integrative literature review, it proposes four analytical dimensions: system control, data control, procedural control, and decision-making control. The synthesis suggests that dependence on nationally standardized technology does not necessarily eliminate local autonomy. Local governments may retain substantive decision-making authority despite limited technical control; conversely, technical flexibility does not guarantee administrative discretion. A four-type conceptual typology is developed to distinguish substantive digital autonomy, integrated administrative autonomy, technically flexible but substantively constrained autonomy, and administrative-digital dependency. The framework offers a basis for future empirical assessment of central–local relations in Indonesian digital governance. The findings are conceptual and do not establish the actual autonomy of any particular local government. 

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Journal Info

Abbrev

muqoddimah

Publisher

Subject

Arts Humanities Education Environmental Science Law, Crime, Criminology & Criminal Justice Social Sciences

Description

Jurnal Ilmiah Muqoddimah merupakan kumpulan penelitian ilmiah tentang Ilmu Sosial, khususnya yang berhubungan dengan disiplin Ilmu Sosial, Politik, Administrasi dan Humaniora, diterbitkan oleh Fakultas Ilmu Sosial dan Ilmu Politik Universitas Muhammadiyah Tapanuli Selatan, tujuan pengembangan jurnal ...