This study aims to investigate the difficulties local governments face as a result of the province directly managing county system reform. It reveals the various challenges faced by local governments under the provincial directly managed county reform through a thorough analysis of the history, rationale, and implementation of the reform along with pertinent literature reviews and case studies. It is discovered that the county reform, which is directly governed by the province, has not only significantly altered the functions and organizational structure of local governments, but it has also made their resource allocation, financial strain, and brain drain problems worse. To help local governments deal with the difficulties in the province-directly governed county reform, related remedies, and solutions are finally proposed to handle these issues.

Regions rich in natural resources often exhibit a high dependency on revenue from Revenue Sharing Funds (DBH). This dependency can pose long-term challenges, especially when commodity prices experience significant fluctuations. This study examines the role of Revenue Sharing Funds from Natural Resources (DBH SDA) on economic growth in 491 regencies/cities in Indonesia during the 2010–2012 period. The analysis employs panel data regression. The selection of this period was based on the occurrence of a resource boom characterized by a surge in global demand for natural resource commodities, accompanied by an increase in commodity prices. This condition positively impacted the revenues of both the nation and resource-rich regions. The results of the study show that economic growth is not influenced by DBH SDA but rather by General Allocation Funds (DAU). This indicates that the central government still plays a significant role in determining economic growth at the regency/city level in Indonesia. Regions need to prioritize economic diversification to reduce reliance on DBH SDA and DAU. Investment in productive sectors, such as infrastructure, education, and technology, can be a strategic approach to accelerating regional economic growth.

The objective of this study is to examine the impact of decentralization on disaster management in North Sumatra Province. Specifically, it will analyze the intergovernmental networks, local government resilience, leadership, and communication within disaster management agencies. The study used a hybrid research approach, integrating qualitative and quantitative methodologies to investigate the connections between these factors and their influence on disaster response and mitigation. The study encompassed 144 personnel from diverse government tiers in North Sumatra and performed a meta-analysis on the implementation of disaster management. Intergovernmental networks were discovered to enhance collaboration in disaster management by eliminating regulatory gaps and efficiently allocating logistics. Nevertheless, local governments have obstacles as a result of limited resources and inadequate expertise, notwithstanding the progress made in infrastructure technology. The F test results reveal that leadership and communication have a substantial impact on the performance of BPBD personnel. The meta-assessment classifies its impact as extraordinarily high, suggesting comprehensive evaluation and successful achievement of goals in disaster management planning. Efficient cooperation among relevant parties is essential in handling calamities in North Sumatra. The government, commercial sector, NGOs, universities, and society have unique responsibilities. To improve effectiveness, governments should encourage private sector involvement, while institutions can increase their research contributions.

The allocation of funds in the local budget is a matter of concern for the governments and economic scholars. The study examines the influence of local budget expenditures on the GRDP per capita of 63 provinces and municipalities in Vietnam from 2018 to 2022. Regression analysis of panel data reveals that capital expenditure has a positive correlation with local GRDP per capita, whereas current expenditure has a negative correlation with GRDP per capita. Furthermore, the analysis indicates that the percentage of individuals aged 15 and above who are employed and the percentage of urban citizens have an equivalent influence as the GRDP per capita. Conversely, the average age and local Gini coefficient have contrasting effects on GRDP per capita. The author suggests several policy alternatives to assist localities in boosting their GRDP per capita based on the findings of the study model.

This qualitative research aimed to study the effectiveness of the local health constitution in controlling the spread of COVID-19. It reports the role of local communities, government agencies, and healthcare providers in implementing and enforcing local health constitutions and how their engagement can be improved to enhance surveillance. We also reported factors that influence compliance and strategies for improving compliance. We also evaluated the long-term sustainability of local health institutions beyond the pandemic. The population and sample group consisted of key members of the local health constitution teams at the provincial, sub-district, and village levels in the rural area of Ubon Ratchathani. Participants were purposively selected and volunteered to provide information. It included health science professionals, public health volunteers, community leaders, and local government officials, totaling 157 individuals. The study was conducted from December 2022 to September 2023. Our research shows that local health constitutions can better engage and educate communities to actively participate in pandemic surveillance and prevention. This approach is a learning experience for responding to emergencies, such as new infectious diseases that may arise in the future. This simplifies the work of officials, as everyone understands the guidelines for action. Relevant organizations contribute to disease prevention efforts, and there is sustainable improvement in work operations.

This study investigates the relationship between the disclosure of historical tourism information by local governments and tourism performance in Indonesia. Employing a quantitative research design, data were collected from 152 respondents, including local government officials, tourism stakeholders, and community members, using a purposive sampling method. This approach ensured the inclusion of participants with direct knowledge and involvement in historical tourism activities. Data analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS software, utilizing descriptive statistics, correlation, and multiple regression analysis to examine the relationships between variables. The results indicate that effective disclosure practices positively impact tourism performance, with key factors including the involvement of regional heads, legislative councils, mass media, tourism business actors, investment value, tourism budgets, and grant expenditures. The study highlights the importance of transparency and comprehensive information dissemination in enhancing tourism performance. Future research should explore the role of digitalization and innovative technologies in improving historical tourism disclosure and performance. These findings have significant implications for policymakers and practitioners in the tourism sector, emphasizing the need for robust disclosure practices to foster tourism development and economic growth.