Aims and Scope

JOINT: Journal of Issues and National Thought aims to disseminate original and high-quality research that contributes to the advancement of administrative studies, particularly public administration, public policy, governance, public service, bureaucratic reform, and development administration. The journal provides a scholarly platform for academics, researchers, policymakers, public officials, practitioners, and other stakeholders to publish empirical studies, conceptual analyses, scholarly reviews, and evidence-based research addressing administrative issues and contemporary challenges in governance and society. Within this journal, administration is understood not merely as a technical and procedural activity but also as a strategic process encompassing policy formulation and implementation, public organisation management, public service delivery, institutional capacity building, public resource management, and the development of effective relationships among government, society, and non-governmental sectors. Through rigorous and high-quality scholarly contributions, the journal seeks to support the establishment of public administration that is effective, efficient, transparent, accountable, responsive, inclusive, and orientated toward the public interest.

In addition to positioning public administration as one of its primary fields, JOINT: Journal of Issues and National Thought also focuses on broader studies within the social and political sciences. These studies include national thought, political dynamics, governance, public policy, social change, public communication, law and public affairs, community development, national identity, and civic engagement across various social, political, economic, cultural, and institutional contexts. The journal encourages academic dialogue, critical reflection, and innovative perspectives in understanding and addressing a wide range of national issues. Particular attention is given to administrative reform, democratisation, decentralisation, regional development, digital transformation, public participation, social justice, national integration, political communication, social change, and sustainable development.

JOINT: Journal of Issues and National Thought promotes interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research approaches that integrate perspectives from public administration, political science, government studies, sociology, law, economics, communication studies, social welfare, international relations, cultural studies, and development studies. Such approaches are expected to generate a more comprehensive understanding of national and global issues affecting governance, social life, policymaking, national identity, and public discourse.

Scope of the Journal

The journal accepts manuscripts in the form of empirical research, theoretical studies, literature reviews, case studies, and policy analyses related to public administration and various fields within the social and political sciences. The scope of the journal includes, but is not limited to, the following areas:

1. Public Administration and Government

  • Theories and development of public administration
  • State administration and systems of government
  • Central, regional, and village administration
  • Public organization and institutional management
  • Administrative ethics and public sector professionalism
  • Intergovernmental and interinstitutional relations
  • Public sector human resource management
  • Comparative public administration

2. Public Policy and Program Implementation

  • Public policy formulation, implementation, and evaluation
  • National and regional policy analysis
  • Evidence-based public policy
  • Policy innovation and reform
  • Politics of policymaking and decision-making
  • Government program implementation
  • Policy impacts on society
  • Policy advocacy and communication

3. Governance and Bureaucratic Reform

  • Good governance
  • Administrative reform and bureaucratic reform
  • Transparency, accountability, and public integrity
  • Government performance monitoring and evaluation
  • Corruption prevention in public administration
  • Institutional capacity building
  • Collaborative governance
  • Partnerships among government, the private sector, and civil society

4. Public Service

  • Quality and effectiveness of public services
  • Public service innovation
  • Service standards and citizen satisfaction
  • Inclusive and equitable public services
  • Public complaint management
  • Civil registration and population administration services
  • Education, health, and social services
  • Public service performance evaluation

5. Administration and Development

  • National and regional development administration
  • Development planning
  • Development program and project management
  • Sustainable development
  • Community development and empowerment
  • Development of island, coastal, rural, and urban regions
  • Poverty alleviation and social welfare
  • Human resource development

6. Politics and Government

  • Political theories and dynamics
  • Political systems and government
  • Democracy and democratization
  • Electoral systems and political behavior
  • Political parties and interest groups
  • Local politics and decentralization
  • Political leadership
  • Power relations and political institutions

7. National Identity and Citizenship

  • National identity and nationalism
  • Citizenship and civic values
  • Social responsibility and public life
  • National ideology and national thought
  • Political culture
  • Public participation
  • National integration
  • Public trust in government

8. Sociology and Social Dynamics

  • Social change and societal transformation
  • Social structures and interactions
  • Social inequality
  • Social conflict and conflict resolution
  • Social cohesion and community integration
  • Social movements
  • Communities and social development
  • Social transformation resulting from technological development

9. Social Welfare and Community Empowerment

  • Social welfare policy
  • Community empowerment
  • Social protection
  • Social services
  • Poverty reduction
  • Vulnerable groups and social inclusion
  • Community development
  • Social justice and public welfare

10. Law and Public Affairs

  • Administrative law
  • Constitutional law and constitutional studies
  • Government regulation and policy
  • Human rights
  • Social justice
  • Law enforcement and governance
  • Administrative disputes
  • Relationships among law, politics, and public policy

11. Political Economy and Development

  • Political economy of public policy
  • Economic development and national policy
  • Public sector economics
  • Economic and social inequality
  • Fiscal policy and regional development
  • Institutional economics
  • Budget politics
  • Sustainable economic development

12. Communication, Media, and Public Discourse

  • Government communication
  • Political communication
  • Public policy communication
  • Media and public opinion
  • Digital media and social communication
  • Public information dissemination
  • Social media and civic participation
  • National narratives and public discourse

13. International Relations and Global Issues

  • Politics and international relations
  • Diplomacy and foreign policy
  • International organizations and cooperation
  • Security and peace issues
  • Migration and global mobility
  • Globalization and its impact on national policy
  • Global governance
  • Regional and geopolitical issues

14. Culture and Society

  • Cultural diversity
  • Local culture and community identity
  • Social and national integration
  • Cultural politics
  • Media and cultural representation
  • Cultural change in society
  • Local wisdom and development
  • Relationships among culture, power, and policy

15. Digital Government and Social Innovation

  • E-government and digital governance
  • Digital transformation in public administration
  • Government information systems
  • Artificial Intelligence in public services
  • Big data and decision-making
  • Smart cities and smart governance
  • Digital literacy in society
  • Social and technological innovation for development

Publication Policy

JOINT: Journal of Issues and National Thought prioritizes manuscripts that:

  • Present original research with strong theoretical and empirical contributions related to national issues and public thought
  • Apply rigorous qualitative, quantitative, or mixed research methodologies
  • Address emerging national challenges and societal transformations
  • Provide practical implications for policymakers, academics, and public institutions
  • Encourage critical thinking, intellectual discourse, and constructive solutions for national development

The journal accepts articles written in English (primary) and Indonesian, particularly those that demonstrate national relevance, comparative perspectives, and contributions to the understanding of public issues and national thought in a global context.