Strengthening Human Capital Through Digital Transformation: a Creative Village Framework for Sustainable Creative Economy Growth in Langkat Regency
Keywords:
Digital Transformation, Human Capital Development, Creative Village Model, Creative EconomyAbstract
The rapid expansion of Indonesia’s creative economy highlights the urgency of accelerating digital transformation, especially in rural regions such as Langkat Regency, which possesses strong cultural, creative, and human capital potential but remains constrained by limited digital infrastructure, low digital literacy, and fragmented creative ecosystem development. This study proposes a Creative Village Framework that positions digital transformation as a strategic enabler for strengthening human capital and fostering sustainable creative economy growth. Using a mixed-method approach that integrates digital capability assessments, stakeholder interviews, and community-based creative mapping, this research identifies key factors driving successful digital adoption among creative actors, particularly MSMEs, youth communities, and cultural groups in Langkat. The findings show that enhanced digital skills, improved access to digital platforms, and structured ecosystem governance significantly increase creative productivity, innovation, and market expansion. Furthermore, the proposed framework demonstrates that human capital development—through digital literacy, creative skills upgrading, and collaborative knowledge-sharing—acts as a critical mediating mechanism linking digital transformation to sustainable creative economy outcomes. This study contributes theoretically by refining the discourse on digital-rural development and offering an integrated model applicable to emerging economies. Practically, it provides a policy blueprint for local governments to accelerate digital creative village development, stimulate inclusive growth, and position Langkat Regency as a competitive creative hub within North Sumatra.
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