DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION IN PUBLIC GOVERNANCE: INCLUSIVE STRATEGIES TOWARD POVERTY ALLEVIATION AND SDGS ACHIEVEMENT

Abstract

This article investigates how inclusive digital‐government initiatives can accelerate poverty alleviation and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) progress in emerging economies. Drawing on a mixed‐ methods study in Indonesia—combining policy analysis, administrative micro‐data, and 24 community focus groups—we test the hypothesis that socio‐technical alignment (robust data standards + participatory service design) yields greater anti‐poverty dividends than technology upgrades alone. Quantitative results show that algorithm‐assisted targeting integrated with the Satu Data Indonesia platform reduced exclusion errors in the Program Keluarga Harapan by 19 percent and trimmed administrative costs per beneficiary by 23 percent. Qualitative evidence highlights persistent digital‐ divide barriers—particularly for rural women and older adults—that dampen service uptake. We discuss regulatory enablers and bottlenecks, framing them within a socio‐technical systems perspective. The findings suggest that complementary investments in last‐mile connectivity, data‐trust governance, and human‐centric design standards are necessary to convert digital transformation into measurable poverty reduction and SDG gains.