The Influence of the Leadership Style of the Village Head in Shaping the Community Perceptions and Response Towards Geothermal Energy Development in Lahendong, North Sulawesi, Indonesia

Abstract

Local leaders have a real role in shaping mindsets, ethics, and perceptions in Indonesian society. Lahendong Village of the Tomohon Municipal is a one of the geothermal energy-producing areas in North Sulawesi. It has a government system that places a Lurah or Head of the Village as the highest-rank leader of the community. Lurah helps communicate the needs and the interests of the local community to other geothermal stakeholders, such as the operating geothermal and the electricity companies, the geothermal tourism operators, and the Municipal Government. This study aims to understand the influence of the village head's leadership style in shaping the community perceptions regarding the development of geothermal energy in Lahendong. This study used a qualitative data collection techniques involving observation of local life, in-depth interview with the local respondents, and literature review. The data obtained were then processed by using CAQDAS (Computer-assisted Qualitative Data Analysis Software)-NVIVO 12 Plus? application. The interpretation of the data followed the Hermeneutics-Philosophical method. The results of this study show that the leadership style of the Lurah has a great influence on the community response to the development of geothermal energy. In Lahendong, the community tends to avoid destructive conflicts because they are directed by Lurah to resolve problems through discussion forums or mediation. Lurah also applies a persuasive and religious approach in solving social problems in geothermal resource development in the area.