E-records readiness in context of e-government strategy in Swaziland

E-records readiness is key to the implementation of electronic records management programmes and ultimately the e-Government in the public sector. However, past studies about Swaziland show no evidence of research that ascertains the depth of e-Records readiness in the context of the current e-Government strategy. Studies that have been documented on records management systems in the country have largely focused on paperbased records management in government ministries. The aim of the study was to assess e-Records readiness in the Swaziland government ministries with a view to conceptualising framework for the effective management of e-Records as a facilitating tool for e- Government. The study sought to establish the national legal and policy framework governing management of electronic records in Swaziland’s government ministries in the context of e-Government; the level of compliance to policies, standards, tools, procedures and responsibilities for e- Records management in the government ministries; establish the e-Records management products and technologies existing in the government ministries; examine resource capacity and training for e-Records management staff; find out if there is internal awareness of the link between the e-Record management and the e-Government strategy; as well as explore the depth of the government wide digital preservation strategy. The IRMT (2004) E-Records Readiness Tool was adapted and used as the analytical framework for this study. This tool is designed to assist organizations to benchmark themselves and to determine where they stand in respect to the management of electronic records. The study mainly used the quantitative research approach exploiting a survey that utilized a questionnaire as a data collection instrument. The quantitative approach was however complemented by a qualitative research approach which utilized observation and interview techniques. Using both quantitative and qualitative approaches made it possible to triangulate and validate the findings. The unit of analysis was the Swaziland government ministries, with a survey design involving all the 19 Government Ministries. The target study participants comprised of the Directorate of Swaziland National Archives, the Directorate of Computer Services, the Directorate of E-Government, the records officers and the action officers.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

University of Zululand

Year dc:date.issued

2018

Author dc:creator

• Tsabedze, Vusi W

• Swaziland --e-Government --e-Records management --e-Readiness --e-Records readiness --e-Records readiness assessment tool --Records management

Licence

• https://devspace.unizulu.ac.za/bitstreams/18e510a4-aa4b-44e1-b9ac-4408de7ef59a/download