Management of digital records in selected financial services parastatals in Zimbabwe

Abstract

Public sector institutions in Zimbabwe have embraced information communication technologies (ICTs) with an objective of promoting accountability, transparency and improve service delivery. This has increased the generation of digital records which are key in day-to-day business activities. However, the management of such records has been a challenge for most public sector institutions in most countries including Zimbabwe. Despite embracing ICTs, there have not been many changes to create a favourable environment for managing the resultant digital records. The study utilised the DCC curation lifecycle model to assess the management of digital records in selected financial services parastatals in Zimbabwe with a view of coming up with recommendations that would enhance their management. This multiple case study research adopted a qualitative research approach to collect data from four purposively selected financial services parastatals in Zimbabwe using interviews, document analysis and observation as data collection tools. Data were analysed and presented thematically in line with the objectives of the study. The findings of this study established that the general status of digital records management in the financial services parastatals is still in its infancy. This resulted in digital records being managed on an ad hoc basis. Parastatals under investigation still lack requisite tools for effective and efficient management of digital records. These include policies, guidelines and standards, adequate infrastructure and skilled manpower. Unless these issues are addressed, the management of digital records will not guarantee their long-term access and preservation. In addition, the National Archives of Zimbabwe (NAZ), which has the legal mandate of regulating records management, has not been involved much in the management of digital records due to the lack of a legal and professional framework. Among other recommendations, the study recommended the crafting of in-house policies and guidelines for managing their digital records, procurement of adequate infrastructure and the recruitment of skilled and experienced manpower in digital records management.