Abstract
This study examines how local governments construct policy innovation claims and the extent to which such claims are supported by substantive novelty, regulatory conformity, institutional capacity, and evidence of public benefit. The study employed a qualitative document analysis with a comparative multiple-case design. The analysis covered 29 documents, consisting of 21 documents related to six policy cases and eight national regulations used as comparative standards. The cases included Sekolah MAUNG, Panca Waluya Character Education, the 5 a.m. school policy, Qlue, Electronic Parking Terminals, and i-Jus Melon. The data were analysed using directed qualitative content analysis across three dimensions: substance, regulation and institutionalisation, and the politics of labelling. The findings show that innovation claims were constructed through formal instruments, programme names, cultural symbols, technology, publicity, awards, and the visibility of political leadership. Formal regulation and technological adoption did not necessarily produce substantive change, sustainability, or measurable public benefit. This study introduces the concept of policy innovation inflation to explain a condition in which the production and promotion of innovation grow faster than demonstrable problem-solving quality.
Recommended Citation
Ermarini, Anggia; Firmansyah, Anry; Maulana, Rio Yusri; and Miftah, Ahmad Zaini
(2026)
"When Every Policy Is Called Innovation: Innovation Inflation And The Politics Of Policy Labelling In Indonesian Local Government,"
Jurnal Wacana Politik: Vol. 11:
Iss.
3, Article 8.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24198/jwp.v11i3.8
Available at:
https://journal.unpad.ac.id/wacanapolitik/vol11/iss3/8
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