DIFUSI INOVASI APLIKASI LIBAS DI KOTA SEMARANG

Abstract

This study examines the innovation diffusion process of the LIBAS application developed by Polrestabes Semarang as a digital public safety reporting channel. The application has been available since 2021, yet verified users have only reached 115,423 out of approximately 1.7 million productive-age residents of Semarang City. This gap indicates suboptimal innovation penetration. The research aims to analyze the diffusion process of the LIBAS application in Semarang City and to identify its supporting and inhibiting factors. A descriptive qualitative method with purposive sampling was employed; data were collected through in-depth interviews, observation, and documentation involving the Head of the Presisi Command Center (PCCP) of Polrestabes Semarang, application users, and community leaders. The findings show that the diffusion process has passed through the knowledge stage up to the adoption decision through a multimodal communication strategy combining social media and the community-leadership-based RT Smart program. Five supporting factors were identified: PCCP structural readiness, the role of RT/RW opinion leaders, peer testimony, digital lifestyle compatibility, and mutual-cooperation norms. Inhibiting factors fall into technical, managerial, and psychological categories. The sustainability of diffusion depends on application performance optimization, integrated information channels, and guaranteed protection of users’ personal data.