Organizational readiness in local government for Smart City Program in Indonesia

Purpose The Smart City Program is the Indonesian government’s strategic initiative to promote digital transformation across society. However, its implementation at the local level remains suboptimal, primarily due to organizational and institutional readiness. This study examined the application of the organizational readiness model in local government to enhance the Program’s effectiveness. Design/methodology/approach This study employed an exploratory qualitative approach and was conducted in Malang City, East Java, Indonesia. Data were collected from primary and secondary sources, including observations, in-depth interviews, focus group discussions (FGDs), literature review, government papers, official reports, and policies relevant to smart city efforts. Findings This study found that organizational readiness was a prerequisite for digital transformation and innovation in city governance, including the Smart City Program. However, some aspects of organizational readiness, such as innovation, resource, and strategic readiness, as well as a participatory and collaborative mindset, were not fully met. The results suggest that greater organizational maturity could enhance the impacts of the Program. Originality/value The originality of this study lies in its comprehensive analysis of how organizational readiness can optimize smart city initiatives.