Strategic Implementation of Prior Learning Recognition for Regional Civil Servants Through Edwards III’s Model

Abstract

Prior Learning Recognition (RPL) has emerged as a strategic instrument in Indonesia’s bureaucratic reform agenda, yet its implementation within regional government remains fragmented. This study applies Edwards III’s policy implementation model, comprising communication, resources, disposition, and bureaucratic structure, to critically analyze institutional readiness and governance constraints in the adoption of RPL. A qualitative content analysis of 42 regulatory, strategic, and academic documents reveals persistent challenges: inconsistent policy communication, limited assessor capacity, inadequate digital infrastructure, uneven leadership commitment, and the absence of standardized operational procedures. These constraints highlight that RPL barriers are structural and organizational rather than merely technical. The study contributes theoretically by extending Edwards III’s framework to competency recognition in public administration, empirically by mapping institutional dynamics of RPL in regional bureaucracies, and practically by offering strategic recommendations for talent management and merit system reform. By bridging classical implementation theory with contemporary human resource innovation, this research advances understanding of RPL as a policy instrument for
accelerating bureaucratic transformation in Indonesia’s decentralized governance system.