What is it about?
A professional and capable civil service is essential for delivering quality public services. One way to achieve this is through a merit-based system, where civil servants are recruited, promoted, and developed based on their skills, performance, and qualifications rather than personal connections. This study examines the key factors that influence the successful implementation of a merit system in Indonesia’s civil service. The findings show that strong leadership commitment, clear regulations, transparent recruitment and promotion processes, and effective human resource management are critical for making the merit system work. The study also highlights ongoing challenges, such as resistance to change and uneven implementation across institutions. Overall, this research provides practical insights for improving civil service management and strengthening government performance in Indonesia.
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Why is it important?
This study is unique because it goes beyond discussing the merit system as a policy ideal and instead identifies the practical factors that determine whether merit-based civil service management actually works in Indonesia. By focusing on real implementation challenges—such as leadership commitment, institutional readiness, and human resource capacity—the research provides concrete insights that are highly relevant to public sector practitioners. The study is especially timely as Indonesia continues to push for bureaucratic reform and professionalization of the civil service amid growing public demands for transparency, accountability, and service quality. As government institutions face increasing pressure to perform better, understanding what enables or hinders the effective application of a merit system has become more urgent than ever. The findings can make a meaningful difference by helping policymakers and public managers design more realistic strategies to strengthen merit-based management, reduce favoritism, and improve civil servant performance. For readers, this research offers timely and practical guidance on civil service reform, making it valuable for scholars, policymakers, and reform advocates alike.
Perspectives
From my personal perspective, this publication reflects my long-standing interest in civil service reform and the professionalization of public administration in Indonesia. Throughout my academic and professional experience, I have often observed that the success of reform initiatives depends not only on formal regulations, but also on leadership commitment, institutional culture, and the willingness of organizations to change. This study provided an opportunity to examine those issues more closely through the lens of merit-based management. What I find most meaningful about this research is its practical relevance. By identifying the key factors that influence the implementation of the merit system, the study offers insights that can be directly used by policymakers and public managers. I hope this work encourages more consistent and fair human resource practices within the civil service, helping to strengthen public trust and improve government performance. On a personal level, I see this publication as part of my broader commitment to supporting evidence-based bureaucratic reform. I hope it contributes to constructive dialogue between researchers and practitioners and supports ongoing efforts to build a more professional, transparent, and accountable civil service in Indonesia.
Associate Professor Septiana Dwiputrianti
STIA LAN Bandung
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Critical Success Factors Merit Implementation of Civil Service Management in Indonesia, September 2023, Atlantis Press,
DOI: 10.2991/978-2-38476-104-3_12.
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