Managing records and archives in the absence of a registered professional association. A Zimbabwe case
- June 19, 2021
- Posted by: rsispostadmin
- Categories: IJRISS, Social Science
International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume V, Issue V, May 2021 | ISSN 2454–6186
Ncube Gilbert
Lecturer, Zimbabwe Open University
Abstract
This study focused on establishing how records were being managed in the absence of a registered professional association of records management. In came as a result of evidence that in Zimbabwe there was no registered professional association for records management raising questions on how were ideas shared amongst records and archives professionals. The study is qualitative in nature and convenient sampling technique was used to obtain views on how records management activities were operating in an environment where they do not have a registered professional body. The study probed further to establish what records and archives profession was missing as a result of not having a registered professional body. Study findings showed that records management practices were being conducted guided by the National Archives of Zimbabwe (public sector records) while private organisations had the records personnel deciding individually on records management issues. The study also showed that there was lack of a platform to organise effective seminars and workshops that would discuss issues relating to ethics and professional conduct, curriculum development and continuing professional development. The study went on to establish that the absence of having a registered professional association was affecting the growth of the profession, training of records and archives students and the professional progression. It was recommended that there is need for the existing informal professional associations to register and be the mouth and ears of the records profession in Zimbabwe
1.1 Introduction
The bringing together of different minds in order to achieve a common goal should not be ignored by records and archives professionals as it brings with it numerous advantages that can uplift a profession. Webster (1999) state that a profession can only exist when there are bonds between the practitioners and those bonds can take but one state, that of a formal association. In Zimbabwe, different types of professional bodies have been created, the aim being to champion their cause and have authority in their field of operation, network, set and revise standards, voice out the concerns of their profession and above all take the profession to greater heights. This has resulted in setting and enforcing ethics and professional standards, revising policies, professional development of their members, curriculum development
