Performance Management of Defense Attaché Office under Indonesian Embassy in Thailand

Abstract

          Quality of service has become an important aspect to achieve customer satisfaction. The defense attaché office under Indonesian embassy also trying to improving performance management of the defense attaché. This study aimed to explore the role of performance management, and stakeholder’s perception on the performance of Defense Attaché Office in Indonesian Embassy.          This study was a qualitative phenomenology approach. The study was conducted in the Defense Attaché Office under Indonesia Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand. The participants were stakeholders of Defense Attaché Office under Indonesia Embassy in Thailand. Purposive sampling was used to select participants in this study. Data was collected by using interview, observation, and documentation of the Defense Attaché Office.          The responsibilities and functions of Defense Attaché Office were to serves stakeholders in the embassy as representative of Indonesian Minister of Defense; to serves as military adviser to the Chief of Mission in the host country; responsible for any matters related to cooperation and activities with the military institution in accredited country; to develop network with military attaches; and to report the headquarters regarding military cooperation. Regarding the performance management, all of the staff under Defense Attaché Office were present in the office every working hour’s days and outside office hours when needed; the staff are able to handle all secretarial jobs, able to manage and report the financial matters of the office, contact counterpart and able to maintain the cleanliness of the office, drive office operational cars and maintain the cleanliness of the car; the staff can carry out their jobs very well, highly satisfied, and very good abilities related to their performance; staff can manage their jobs very well; have enough knowledge and skills, and joined training before they start their jobs; the staff did not have any difficulties in performing their own jobs and they satisfied to their jobs and responsibilities. In terms of stakeholders perception, the Defense Attaché have been effectively providing the necessary assistance; play a significant roles in build trust between the two Armed Forces; the Defense Attaché had very good relationship with Royal Thai Armed Forces, work very well support and facilitate the bilateral military cooperation activities; and some other countries such as Thailand, Singapore, Philippine, and also India were satisfied with the performance of the Defense Attaché Office.         Conclusions         The responsibilities and functions of the Defense Attaché were important as a representative of Indonesian Minister of Defense. All staff can worked very well and satisfied, and the perception of stakeholders were very satisfied. Furthermore, the Defense Attaché needs to follow the standard operational procedure; diplomacy among countries is the best way to save the relation each other; bilateral cooperation between Indonesia and Thailand should be improved; and synergy among them need to improve to succeed the whole agenda of the attaché.