Duffus, KT; (2017) The Role of Records Management Education in Jamaica's Development Initiative. Doctoral thesis , UCL (University College London).

Preview

Text Kaydene Duffus Thesis.pdf - Accepted Version Download (3MB) | Preview

Abstract

This thesis investigates the role of records management education in alleviating challenges in Jamaica’s development initiative. This investigation was done through an evaluation of the connection between records management education and national development by identifying and evaluating the role that records management plays in supporting the delivery of Jamaica’s development initiative. Previous works suggest that records management is an essential component of government business operations as it encourages greater transparency, accountability and good governance. While the majority of previous works evaluated the significance of records management in public sector efficiency in developing countries, they have not specially addressed the roles of records management in supporting the delivery of national development plans or highlighted the Jamaican situation. This study examines the role of records management in supporting the delivery of Jamaica’s national development plan. Additionally, it evaluates the impact of the records management staffing capacity and capability on development work. The study adopts a qualitative approach that utilises interview data from 34 participants including practitioners, educators, students and administrators of development programmes and projects, drawn mainly from Kingston, Jamaica. There is also an evaluation of documentary evidence related to records management, education and national development. An analysis of the data reveals a general emphasis among development administrators of the need for information to support the delivery of the National Development Plan (NDP). However, on closer examination, the information they need mainly resides in records. Records are used by respondents to support consensus building, harmonisation of policies, intra and inter-entity collaboration, organisational changes and identification of appropriate human resources. In spite of their evident importance, records are not always effectively managed in ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) mandated to implement the NDP policies and programmes. Often, the records management function is not prioritised in MDAs and not enough practitioners with keen understanding of the underlying principles and practice in records management are assigned to appropriate roles, leading to a problem of limited records management capacity. Practitioners are recruited at a low level, and are commonly underqualified or unqualified for their roles and responsibilities, leading to problems of records management capability. Consequently, many do not carry out records management tasks well. In preparing for the records management profession, practitioners primarily depend on training programmes and qualifications in another area, particularly librarianship. However, these means of preparation generally fail to meet the need for a more in-depth understanding of records management principles and practice.

Download activity - last month

Export as XMLJSONCSV

Download activity - last 12 months

Export as XMLJSONCSV

Downloads by country - last 12 months

Export as CSVJSONXML

Archive Staff Only

View Item