Transformational Leadership in Preserving Local Culture: Strategies for Facing the Digital Era

This study aims to identify the main challenges in preserving local culture in South Papua in the digital era, explore the role of transformational leadership in overcoming these challenges, and formulate innovative strategies to utilise digital technology in preserving local culture. A qualitative approach, utilising a case study method, was employed to gain a deeper understanding of the dynamics of cultural preservation and the role of transformational leadership in society. The study was conducted in Merauke Regency, South Papua, focusing on indigenous communities and cultural groups that face challenges in maintaining local traditions amidst the influence of globalisation and technological developments. The main data sources consisted of in-depth interviews with 15 key informants, Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), and analysis of documentation and archives related to cultural policies and digitalisation. Data analysis techniques involved thematic analysis to identify key themes and models of transformational leadership, examining the role of leadership in creating innovative strategies and approaches. The results of the study indicate that transformational leadership plays an important role in integrating technology to document and promote local culture, as well as in inspiring community participation to preserve traditions. Cultural digitalisation is key to ensuring the Sustainability of cultural preservation in the era of globalisation, despite challenges related to infrastructure and generational gaps.