Digitalization of government and enhancement of community participation in development in North Sumatra province

This study aims to analyze the relationship between government digitalization and the enhancement of community participation in development in North Sumatra Province. Digitalization is understood as an effort to transform bureaucracy through information technology, manifested in official regional government websites such as sumutprov.go.id, which provide various public services online. However, the effectiveness of such digital platforms in encouraging active citizen participation has not been widely explored, particularly in non-metropolitan areas. This research employs a descriptive qualitative approach with data collection techniques including observation, documentation, and semi-structured interviews with ten informants from various regions in North Sumatra. Data were analyzed using the Miles, Huberman, and Saldana model, supported by NVivo 15 software for thematic coding and data visualization. The findings reveal that although the public has access to digital government services, the level of engagement remains low due to structural barriers (internet access and digital literacy), cultural factors (offline habits), and institutional constraints (limited bureaucratic responsiveness). Based on the Diffusion of Innovation theory, most of the population falls into the late majority and laggards’ categories, indicating that digital innovation adoption is not yet widespread. This study offers novelty by specifically mapping the forms of digital community participation based on direct experiences and identifying the dynamics of digital innovation adoption within the context of regional governance. These findings have significant implications for the development of a more adaptive, inclusive, and participation-oriented digital government strategy in regional development.