TFGI Resources

Digital Platforms Benefit for Policy Implementation: Transforming Public Service Delivery

Digital platforms across Southeast Asia (SEA) have transformed from basic transaction facilitators into integral components of national digital infrastructure. This shift presents significant opportunities for governments to enhance policy implementation and public service delivery. However, effectively leveraging these platforms requires new approaches to public-private collaboration and a deeper understanding of platform economics in governance contexts.

This research initiative explores these opportunities through workshops in three SEA markets, culminating in a comprehensive analysis and policy recommendations for the region.

The evolution of digital platforms in SEA has created new possibilities for government service delivery. Platforms such as ride-hailing services like Grab, fintech solutions like GCash, and e-commerce marketplaces now demonstrate capabilities that extend well beyond their original commercial functions. These platforms have proven effective for social programme delivery, cash disbursement, e-government services, and cross-service integration.

Despite this potential, significant knowledge gaps remain regarding how platform business models can effectively align with public policy objectives. Current approaches to public-private collaboration often fail to balance innovation with accountability, limiting the realisation of platform benefits for governance.

Digital Platforms for Public Benefit: Policy Implementation

The Tech for Good Institute is bridging critical knowledge and practice gaps through a research initiative spanning three key SEA markets. This work aims to develop evidence-based frameworks for platform-enabled governance.

The initiative includes two research reports and three multi-stakeholder workshops.

Together, these efforts explore how digital platforms can be leveraged to advance public policy implementation, emphasising inclusion, scalability, regulatory adaptability, and public-private collaboration for sustainable development.

Objectives

The initiative focuses on three interconnected areas of inquiry:

1. Platform Economics and Public Policy

Analysing how digital platform business models function and their integration potential with public service delivery systems.

2. Implementation Mechanisms

Identifying specific approaches through which digital platforms can enhance government policy execution across various sectors and governance levels.

3. Collaboration Framework

Developing practical models for public-private partnerships that effectively leverage platform capabilities while maintaining and supporting regulatory compliance and public accountability.

Outputs

This initiative includes:

Working Report: An interim report to provide foundational insights into the role of digital platforms in policy implementation and public service delivery.

Read the interim report: “Digital Platforms for the Future: Advancing Policy Implementation in Southeast Asia”

Workshops: A series of in-country workshops in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia to engage stakeholders, gather perspectives, and generate actionable insights: