Learning from Public Administration Reform: A Comparative Study of South Korea, Singapore, and New Zealand for Indonesia

Abstract

The present article attempts to compare the public administration reforms in South Korea, Singapore and New Zealand and draws lessons for Indonesia. This research used a qualitative approach through literature studies with purposive sampling techniques and interactive analysis. This study compares reform orientations, institutional mechanism, enabling conditions, and reform trade-offs across the three countries. The findings reveal distinct reform pathways: South Korea emphasize performance management and digital governance, Singapore relies on meritocracy and institutional integrity, while New Zealand highlights managerial autonomy and result-based accountability. Despite these differences, sustainable reform across the three cases is associated with institutional capacity, political commitment, professional administration, accountability, and the adaptive use of technology. For Indonesia, these experiences suggest adaptation rather than replication, as reform principles and institutional mechanism need to be adjusted to domestic administrative, political, territorial, and institutional conditions. The study contributes to comparative public administration by shifting the emphasis from best practices learning toward contextual institutional learning.