Analysis of Digital Literacy Gaps and Dysfunctional Interdependence in the Use of the Siladen System at the Office of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection in Manado City

Abstract

This current research examines the digital literacy gap and dysfunctional employee interdependence in using the SILADEN system, conducted at the Manado City Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Office. This research was motivated by the demands of bureaucratic digital transformation, which have not yet been fully matched by the digital literacy capabilities of civil servants, resulting in unhealthy interdependence among employees and potentially hindering work effectiveness. The research method used was a qualitative approach with a single case study. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with five purposively selected informants and participant observation of SILADEN usage activities. Data analysis was conducted using the Miles & Huberman model, which includes data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion drawing. Its validity was tested through source triangulation. The results indicate that the digital literacy gap among employees remains significant, primarily due to factors such as age, technological experience, and the lack of ongoing training programs. This situation results in most employees being unable to operate SILADEN independently and tending to rely on more skilled colleagues. This dependency creates dysfunctional interdependence in the form of uneven workloads, decreased productivity, and hampered effectiveness of digital administrative services. In conclusion, the digital literacy gap has been proven to be a major factor in the formation of dysfunctional interdependence within the Manado City Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Agency. Therefore, ongoing mentoring efforts and consistent managerial support are needed to improve employee digital skills evenly and encourage the successful implementation of SILADEN.