Leadership Functions of The Village Head Of Bunuyo, Paguat District, Pohuwato Regency: An Evaluative Study of Leadership Performance in Improving Service Quality

Abstract

The success of village governance in Indonesia depends heavily on the leadership capacity of the village head as the frontline administrator responsible for public service delivery. This study aims to describe and evaluate the leadership functions of the Village Head of Bunuyo, Paguat District, Pohuwato Regency, with particular attention to how these functions translate into service quality for the community. A qualitative descriptive approach was employed using a single instrumental case study design. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with the Village Secretary, section heads, village apparatus, and community members, complemented by direct observation and secondary document review. Data analysis followed the interactive model of Miles, Huberman, and Saldaña, involving data condensation, data display, and conclusion drawing/verification conducted concurrently with data collection. The findings indicate that the leadership of the Village Head of Bunuyo, assessed across five functional dimensions instructive, consultative, participative, delegative, and controlling has generally been implemented well. However, the instructive and consultative functions still require strengthening, particularly in the clarity and timeliness of directives and in structured two-way communication with village apparatus. The study recommends that the Village Head sustain and reinforce existing leadership practices, maintain harmonious relationships with all village government elements and the wider community, and continue building collaborative governance to support the vision of a progressive, safe, intelligent, and healthy Bunuyo community. These findings contribute empirically to the limited literature on village-level leadership functions in Indonesia and offer practical guidance for improving bureaucratic performance and public service quality at the grassroots level of government.