Meritocracy and Dynamic Governance in Practice: A Case Study of Civil Service Reform in Bekasi City, Indonesia

Abstract

The phenomenon of weak bureaucratic performance at the regional level underscores the need for civil service reform that goes beyond regulatory frameworks by integrating the principles of meritocracy and adaptive governance. This study aims to evaluate the implementation of the merit system and the concept of dynamic governance in civil service management within the Bekasi City Government—an area that previously experienced a governance crisis due to successive corruption cases but has since recovered and achieved a "Very Good" category in the ASN merit index according to KASN in 2023. The methodology used is a descriptive qualitative approach with a case study, involving in-depth interviews, policy document analysis, and direct observation of civil service management practices. The research findings indicate that this transformation was supported by strategic leadership, regulatory reinforcement through Mayor Regulation No. 12 of 2022, and the application of dynamic governance principles such as "thinking ahead," "thinking again," and "thinking across." Nevertheless, challenges remain, particularly related to resistance from entrenched work culture and limited integration of personnel information systems. Recommendations include enhancing civil servants' literacy on the merit system and information technology, as well as digital integration across regional agencies. These findings reinforce the importance of meritocracy and dynamic governance as foundational elements in building a professional, adaptive, and accountable bureaucracy, which can be replicated by other regions with appropriate contextual adjustments.