The Role of Policy Networks in Public Decision-Making in the West Java Provincial Government in the Era of Decentralization

Abstract

The era of decentralization has changed the pattern of public decision-making from a hierarchical approach to a more participatory and collaborative pattern. This change has placed policy networks as an important element in the public decision-making process. This study aims to analyze the role of policy networks in public decision-making in the era of decentralization. This study uses a qualitative approach with a descriptive-analytical research type. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, observations, and documentation studies of actors involved in the public decision-making process, then analyzed qualitatively. The results show that policy networks in public decision-making are not yet functioning optimally. The problems found include the dominance of government actors, weak inter-agency coordination, symbolic public participation, unequal access to information and resources, unmanaged differences in interests, low levels of trust between actors, and unequal capacity among local actors. This study concludes that strengthening policy networks through improved coordination, institutionalization of public participation, information transparency, dialogical management of interests, and capacity building of actors are important steps to realize collaborative and responsive public decision-making in the era of decentralization.