Implementing Licensing Authority Delegation in a New Autonomous Province: Evidence from South Papua, Indonesia

Delegation of licensing authority is an important part of public service reform, but formal authority does not always guarantee the operational capabilities of the recipient organization. This study aims to analyze the implementation of the delegation of licensing and non-licensing authority to the Investment and One-Stop Integrated Services Agency (DPMPTSP) of South Papua Province based on South Papua Governor Regulation Number 11 of 2023. The study uses a descriptive qualitative approach with a postpositivistic paradigm and the Edwards III policy implementation framework covering communication, resources, disposition, and bureaucratic structure. Data were obtained through in-depth interviews with 11 informants, observation, and documentation, then analyzed using the interactive model of Miles, Huberman, and Saldaña. The results show that policy implementation is supported by policy communication, service resources and facilities, apparatus commitment, SOPs, the use of OSS-RBA, and coordination with technical regional apparatus. However, implementation still faces uneven technical competency of apparatus, system and network disruptions, limited user digital literacy, regulatory changes, and delays in technical recommendations. Key findings indicate that although the DPMPTSP has received formal authority and become the primary point of service, the processing of some permits still relies on the technical authority of other organizations. This research confirms that formal delegation does not always result in operational autonomy, and effective delegation requires strong institutional capacity and cross-organizational coordination.