E-Government Policy through the Nelayan Pintar Application Trust and Community Engagement among Fisherfolk in Banjar Kemuning Village, Sidoarjo

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FORMOSA NEWS - Surabaya - Digital App for Fisherfolk Struggles in Sidoarjo Due to Poor Signals and Low Digital Literacy. A government digital service designed to support coastal communities is falling short of its goals in Banjar Kemuning Village, Sidoarjo Regency. The implementation of the Nelayan Pintar (Nelpin) mobile application remains suboptimal due to uneven communication, limited internet infrastructure, and a lack of continuous digital training. This finding comes from a study published in August 2026 by researchers Rinadini Hendrasworo of Universitas Dr. Soetomo, alongside Rudy Handoko and Ayun Maduwinarti of Universitas 17 Agustus 1945 Surabaya. The research is critical because it highlights how digital transformation policies often face operational bottlenecks when delivered to resource-constrained target groups in coastal areas.

Digital Transformation Challenges in Coastal Communities
Governments increasingly rely on information and communication technology to deliver public services that are transparent, efficient, and responsive. For fishing communities, access to real-time information is essential to daily survival and livelihood security. Fisherfolk require accurate updates regarding weather conditions, ocean wave heights, potential fishing zones, and current market prices for fish catches. To fulfill these needs and implement Law No. 7 of 2016 regarding the Protection and Empowerment of Fisherfolk, the Indonesian government introduced the Nelayan Pintar application in 2015. The platform was intended to bridge the information gap between coastal workers and marine authorities. However, in Banjar Kemuning Village, located in the Sedati District of Sidoarjo Regency, the availability of the application has not translated into widespread adoption. Many local workers continue to rely on traditional knowledge rather than official government software.

Evaluating Implementation via Edwards III’s Policy Framework
To understand why the application experiences low usage, the research team conducted a qualitative case study in Banjar Kemuning Village. Data collection involved in-depth interviews, field observations, and official documentation analysis involving village officials, program managers, and local fisherfolk. The researchers evaluated the program using the policy implementation framework developed by George C. Edwards III. This analytical model assesses policy success based on four core dimensions:

• Communication: How effectively information about the policy and application is transmitted to the target community.
  
• Resources: The availability of technical infrastructure, digital skills, network connectivity, and human support.
  
• Disposition: The attitudes, acceptance, and trust level of the target group toward the government application.
  
• Bureaucratic Structure: The clarity of administrative procedures, division of tasks, and coordination mechanisms.
  

Initial empirical data collected from the Sari Laut Joint Business Group (KUB) in Banjar Kemuning Village revealed that out of 140 active registered fisherfolk, only 34 individuals (24.29%) actively used the Nelpin application. The remaining 106 individuals (75.71%) did not utilize the tool.

Key Findings: Factors Hindering Application Adoption
In-depth interviews with a sample of 40 local fisherfolk identified several specific barriers that prevent community members from utilizing the Nelpin application:

• Operational Difficulties: A total of 28 respondents (70%) reported experiencing technical difficulties while navigating the user interface of the mobile application.
  
• Network Constraints: Weak mobile signal and unstable cellular data connectivity affected 24 respondents (60%) while operating at sea or along the coastline.
  
• Unclear Perceived Utility: A group of 19 respondents (47.5%) stated they did not understand the practical benefits of the application for their daily fishing operations.
  
• Lack of Awareness: Out of the broader non-user group, 88 individuals were completely unaware that the Nelpin application existed.
  
• Trust Gap and Reliance on Traditional Knowledge: Doubts regarding data accuracy and updates led many fisherfolk to trust their personal seafaring experience and generational knowledge over the government platform.
  
• Inadequate Training: Policy communication failed to reach the full target audience, leaving a gap in ongoing assistance and digital literacy training.
  

Real-World Implications and Policy Recommendations
The study demonstrates that deploying e-Government software is insufficient without holistic support systems. For public sector policies to succeed, digital application rollouts must be matched by investments in local infrastructure, community capacity building, and institutional trust. To bridge this trust gap, lead researcher Rinadini Hendrasworo from Universitas Dr. Soetomo and co-researchers Rudy Handoko and Ayun Maduwinarti from Universitas 17 Agustus 1945 Surabaya emphasize that public agencies must move beyond software deployment. The research team notes that successful e-Government implementation requires sustained assistance, adaptive communication strategies that fit coastal culture, and improved coordination among local bureaucratic structures to ensure continuous user support. The findings offer practical recommendations for municipal leaders and marine policy makers:

• Conduct Adaptive Socialization: Engage trusted local leaders and fishing group leaders to explain the application’s tangible benefits in clear terms.
  
• Provide Continuous Training: Establish ongoing digital literacy workshops rather than one-off promotional events.
  
• Upgrade Coastal Infrastructure: Coordinate with telecommunications providers to resolve cellular dead zones along coastal waters.
  
• Strengthen Bureaucratic Assistance: Set up clear task allocation within local administrative bodies to handle technical support and user feedback.
  

Author Profiles
Rinadini Hendrasworo, S.Sos., M.AP. is a researcher affiliated with Universitas Dr. Soetomo specializing in public administration, digital governance, and public policy implementation.
Dr. Rudy Handoko, M.Si. is an academic and researcher at Universitas 17 Agustus 1945 Surabaya specializing in public administration, administrative science, and public service management.
Dr. Ayun Maduwinarti, M.Si. is a faculty member and researcher at Universitas 17 Agustus 1945 Surabaya specializing in public policy, administrative reform, and regional community development.

Source
Rinadini Hendrasworo, Rudy Handoko, Ayun Maduwinarti. E-Government Policy through the Nelayan Pintar Application Trust and Community Engagement among Fisherfolk in Banjar Kemuning Village, Sidoarjo. Formosa Journal of Applied Sciences (FJAS), Vol. 5, No. 8, 2026 Hal 1787-1796.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.55927/fjas.v5i8.109
URL: https://journalfjas.my.id/index.php/fjas