Post-records survey inspections in Zimbabwe: Reflections on compliance and non-compliance with records survey recommendations. (19th March 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mutsagondo, Samson
• Is Part Of: Records management journal. Volume 28:Number 1(2018)
• Page Start: 115
• Page End: 127
• Publication Date: 2018-03-19
• Subjects: Records management -- Gweru Records Centre -- National Archives of Zimbabwe -- Post-records survey inspections -- Records surveys; Records -- Management -- Periodicals; 651.5
• DOI: 10.1108/RMJ-01-2017-0001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0956-5698

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose: This paper aims to establish public departments' compliance with National Archives of Zimbabwe (NAZ)'s records survey recommendations as well as to find out reasons for compliance and non-compliance. Design/methodology/approach: This quantitative research used a survey research design and collected data using questionnaires, which were triangulated by document reviews and personal observation. A census approach was used where all 15 public departments upon which post-records survey inspections were conducted by Gweru Records Centre in the Midlands Province in 2016 were involved in the study. Findings: The study revealed that many public departments in Zimbabwe disregarded records survey recommendations given by NAZ after records surveys. This was despite the fact that NAZ was armed with theNational Archives of Zimbabwe Act (1986) which in principle is supposed to induce compliance by client departments. As a result, the records management situation in public departments has not improved much, and in some cases, it has become worse. Originality/value: A lot has been published about records surveys in Zimbabwe, for example, byChaterera (2008, 2013 ), Dewah (2010 ), Karimanzira and Mutsagondo (2015 ), Maboreke (2007 ) andMutsagondo (2012) . These studies have shown the importance of records surveys. However, none of them has evaluated the effectiveness of records surveys by examining the degree of compliance to records survey recommendations by public departments. This study thus scores a first in this regard. The study will enable NAZ to make a cost-benefit analysis of records surveys as well as to use results of this study to effect necessary operational, tactical and strategic decisions as regards the exercise.