DEVELOPMENT COMMUNICATION PROCESS FOR COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT AND SOCIAL CAPITAL IN INTER-PROVINCIAL BORDER AREAS (A Case Study of Cibingbin Village, West Java Province, Indonesia)

Abstract

This study was motivated by the achievement of Cibingbin Village, West Java Province, Indonesia, in maintaining its status as an independent village for four consecutive years (2020–2023), reflecting effective development management based on community participation and local wisdom in an inter-provincial border area. The article aims to describe how the development communication process is formulated and implemented by the village head and local actors to build and strengthen the community’s social capital. A qualitative case study approach was employed, utilizing in-depth interviews, participatory observation, and document analysis. Key informants included the village head, village officials, community leaders, and residents involved in development initiatives. Data were analyzed thematically using a reflective-dialogical approach, grounded in diffusion of innovation theory, social construction of reality, and social action theory. The findings reveal that development communication is carried out through formal and informal forums, utilizing both digital and traditional media, and emphasizing the legitimizing role of religious and community leaders. Communication practices are participatory and adaptive, fostering trust, solidarity, and active citizen engagement. Social capital is strengthened through the continuity of social norms, local leadership roles, and inter-regional collaboration, all of which contribute to the village’s independent status. This study contributes to the theoretical development of locally grounded development communication and offers a participatory model adaptable to other rural border areas facing similar socio-institutional challenges.