Developing A Systematic Licensing Curriculum Model for Local Authorities: Evidence from the local Government Stakeholders Need Analysis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37134/bitara.vol19.1.13.2026Keywords:
Local Government , Licensing Education, Curriculum Model, Knowledge Management, Capacity Building, Public Administration, MalaysiaAbstract
Local authorities play a crucial role in regulating and facilitating the business environment through licensing systems that ensure compliance, safety, and economic order. However, procedural complexity, fragmented knowledge management, and uneven service delivery remain persistent challenges in the Malaysian local governance context. This study examines the need to develop a systematic licensing curriculum model for local authorities by analyzing the perspectives of internal and external stakeholders—namely, local government officers and business license applicants under the Majlis Bandaraya Petaling Jaya (MBPJ). Using a mixed-method needs analysis involving 76 officers and 227 business license holders, the research identifies administrative inefficiencies, limited inter-agency coordination, and deficiencies in structured training and procedural literacy. The findings reveal two distinct yet interconnected problem domains: (1) bureaucratic and procedural bottlenecks as experienced by officers, and (2) customer service and communication barriers as perceived by license applicants. Both groups, however, converge on the critical need for structured and systematic licensing education to enhance understanding, efficiency, and confidence in handling licensing procedures. Grounded in Knowledge Management Theory and Competency-Based Curriculum Development, the study proposes the new Licensing Curriculum Model, an educational and administrative framework designed to improve licensing processes through structured knowledge dissemination, inter-agency collaboration, and capacity building. This research contributes to the discourse on governance reform, knowledge-based public administration, and education-driven innovation in local government service delivery.
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