The study investigated the role of records surveys in the management of public records in Zimbabwe. The goal was to determine how far records surveys were going in enhancing sound records management practices, thereby improving public service delivery, accountability and good governance. Through interviews, questionnaires and document review it was revealed that records surveys were struggling to attain their intended goal of nurturing sound records management practices in public registries. The lack of ideal mission statements, registry manuals, written disaster management plans, vital records protection programmes, adequate records management training, records retention and disposal schedules, top management support, financial constraints and unclear archival legislation were cited as some of the challenges affecting records and information management surveys from nurturing acceptable records management practices. A closer working relationship between the National Archives and public records management units was recommended. / Information Science / M. Inf. (Archival Science)

Blockchain technology has gained ground as a method of independently and securely verifying transaction receipts of educational credentials so they can connect directly to individual digital wallets. Challenges in this transformation include the risk of dilution of value in existing credentials and the risk of duplicating structures. Internationally, several studies and pilots are ongoing. The EU is currently actively working to promote the development of digital micro-credentials with both initiatives and standards recommendations. Nationally in Sweden, government initiatives aim to bring the entire national digital infrastructure together to improve support for lifelong professional learning. Industrial stakeholders, academic education and vocational educational organizations are documented having partly overlapping, partly different needs and requirements. The purpose of this master’s thesis research is to describe the potential use of a blockchain-based ICT system for digital micro-credentials in vocational education, and what would be the desired characteristics of providing such a system from the perspective of stakeholder decision-makers on the governmental, commercial, and educational level. For this, interpretive qualitative research has been conducted. The data was collected through documents review of governmental and policy documents from the EU and Sweden, and individual interviews with seven participants among key stakeholder organizations (vocational institutions, commercial organizations, and government agencies representatives). The collected data was analyzed thematically. The analysis of the collected data was thematically structured into five themes and discussed in the context of the research aim and research question, using the proposed theoretical framework, including structuration theory.  Findings showed that challenges on the macro-level perspective dominated the potential uses and desired characteristics, explicitly the need for a solution that can bridge the gap between industry needs and formal education. The need for a technical solution that can create interoperability between different forms of micro-credentials and credentials was highlighted. A solution with the individual in focus would be a major shift that could improve individuals’ potential to plan careers, enable employers to improve recruitment processes, and strengthen the Swedish government actors in skills and educational planning on the national and regional level. The key to these uses would be the ability to build trust between parties and connect such a technological solution to existing structures such as the European Qualification Framework’s Swedish implementation (SeQF). The research contributes theoretically by adding to the rather limited research on blockchain use for micro-credentials in education, and practically by presenting the context and landscape of the Swedish system of vocational education and training in relation to the potential use of digital micro-credentials.

An effective records management programme is a major element of the governance of any organisation. However, despite this crucial role played by records management, there is a consensus amongst researchers that many organisations, including government departments, pay little attention to the management of records. In South Africa, government departments are under legislative obligations to adopt a systematic and organised approach to the management of records. For example, the National Archives and Records Service of South Africa Act (Act No. 43 of 1996) requires government departments to develop, implement and maintain proper records management systems. The purpose of this study was to explore records management trends in the Department of Provincial and Local Government (DPLG) to establish if the Department was managing records according to legislative requirements. Data was collected through online questionnaires, physical observation and interviews with selected DPLG employees and analysed through an open source software. The key findings of the study revealed that an enormous benefit for the implementation of a records management programme is the commitment and support of top management. The study recommended that records management should be included in the performance contracts of all employees in the DPLG. The study concluded that a records management programme will only function effectively if it is developed as part of the strategic objective of the organisation. / Information Science / M.A. (Information Sxcience)

An effective records management programme is a major element of the governance of any organisation. However, despite this crucial role played by records management, there is a consensus amongst researchers that many organisations, including government departments, pay little attention to the management of records. In South Africa, government departments are under legislative obligations to adopt a systematic and organised approach to the management of records. For example, the National Archives and Records Service of South Africa Act (Act No. 43 of 1996) requires government departments to develop, implement and maintain proper records management systems. The purpose of this study was to explore records management trends in the Department of Provincial and Local Government (DPLG) to establish if the Department was managing records according to legislative requirements. Data was collected through online questionnaires, physical observation and interviews with selected DPLG employees and analysed through an open source software. The key findings of the study revealed that an enormous benefit for the implementation of a records management programme is the commitment and support of top management. The study recommended that records management should be included in the performance contracts of all employees in the DPLG. The study concluded that a records management programme will only function effectively if it is developed as part of the strategic objective of the organisation. / Information Science / M.A. (Information Sxcience)

The design of any information management system (IMS) requires a clear strategy for its integration into the environment for which it is intended. Information management has been addressed in the objectives and plans of the Government of Uganda since independence in 1962, with varying degrees of success. The extensive changes that have taken place in the last few decades in Ugandan higher education have led to increased demands for managing student information. In turn a strategy for proper coordination of such data is necessary. The major aim of this study was to design such a strategy. The research therefore attempted to investigate the current state of the management and coordination of student information in Uganda. The needs and requirements of a student information management system (SIMS) and strategies for its integration in higher education programmes were established. The study carried out in the education sector was conducted using a qualitative research framework that provided a coherent set of propositions which explains the phenomenon of a SIMS. The researcher purposively selected the respondents (including key informants, administrators and student leaders) in this sector, who included people involved in the capture, storage, management and use of student information in various institutions in the given sector. Observably, the current state of the SIMS lacks a strategy to keep track of student information in Uganda. It was established that to ensure tracking of such data in the country, an identification system with standardised procedures in a coordinating structure is required together with a clear strategy for utilising the existing structures in the education sector. To design a strategy of this kind, a proposed framework for an integrated SIMS defined the principles, environment and contextual boundaries in terms of which the design is created. It defines the structure of a national student identification system and its coordination in the education sector in Uganda. Strategies for ensuring the sustainability of such a system and its implications for the socio-economic environment of higher education are considered. / Information Science / D. Lit. et Phil. (Information Science)

Submitted by Armando Pereira (armandopereira1967@yahoo.com.br) on 2016-03-29T12:54:09Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação.pdf: 1300195 bytes, checksum: 680676252d71ac8e10e4b3405284c357 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Rafael Aguiar (rafael.aguiar@fgv.br) on 2016-04-19T19:41:00Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação.pdf: 1300195 bytes, checksum: 680676252d71ac8e10e4b3405284c357 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Marcia Bacha (marcia.bacha@fgv.br) on 2016-04-20T18:31:01Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação.pdf: 1300195 bytes, checksum: 680676252d71ac8e10e4b3405284c357 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-20T18:31:16Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação.pdf: 1300195 bytes, checksum: 680676252d71ac8e10e4b3405284c357 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-03-18 / The main goal of this dissertation is to critically examine the archival situation of the Araruama City Council, describing and analyzing the organization, the management and the production of documents on the Legislative Power presenting. In order to contribute to the processes of record management in the House, the dissertation presents an outline of a draft resolution. The work is justified by the importance of a correct and efficient management of the records therein produced and archived so the House can ensure compliance with the constitutional principle of public transparency, regulated by Federal Law nº. 12.527/2011 and known as the Access to Information Act. / O principal objetivo desta dissertação é examinar criticamente a situação arquivística da Câmara Municipal de Araruama, descrevendo e analisando de que forma ocorre a organização, a gestão e a disponibilização de documentos por parte do poder legislativo daquele município apresentando, ao final, com o intuito de contribuir para a gestão documental na Câmara, esboço de um Projeto de Resolução. O trabalho justifica-se pela importância de uma correta e eficiente gestão de documentos para que se possa garantir o cumprimento do princípio constitucional da transparência pública, regulamentado pela Lei Federal nº 12.527/2011 conhecida como Lei de Acesso à Informação.

The design of any information management system (IMS) requires a clear strategy for its integration into the environment for which it is intended. Information management has been addressed in the objectives and plans of the Government of Uganda since independence in 1962, with varying degrees of success. The extensive changes that have taken place in the last few decades in Ugandan higher education have led to increased demands for managing student information. In turn a strategy for proper coordination of such data is necessary. The major aim of this study was to design such a strategy. The research therefore attempted to investigate the current state of the management and coordination of student information in Uganda. The needs and requirements of a student information management system (SIMS) and strategies for its integration in higher education programmes were established. The study carried out in the education sector was conducted using a qualitative research framework that provided a coherent set of propositions which explains the phenomenon of a SIMS. The researcher purposively selected the respondents (including key informants, administrators and student leaders) in this sector, who included people involved in the capture, storage, management and use of student information in various institutions in the given sector. Observably, the current state of the SIMS lacks a strategy to keep track of student information in Uganda. It was established that to ensure tracking of such data in the country, an identification system with standardised procedures in a coordinating structure is required together with a clear strategy for utilising the existing structures in the education sector. To design a strategy of this kind, a proposed framework for an integrated SIMS defined the principles, environment and contextual boundaries in terms of which the design is created. It defines the structure of a national student identification system and its coordination in the education sector in Uganda. Strategies for ensuring the sustainability of such a system and its implications for the socio-economic environment of higher education are considered. / Information Science / D. Lit. et Phil. (Information Science)

Text in English with summaries in English, Afrikaans and Zulu / Bibliography: leaves 102-115 / The study investigated the management of medical records in the Primary Health Care services (PHCs) of Diepsloot. The study investigated the regulatory framework, records infrastructure, records security, records management staff skills and the filing system. A qualitative design guided by the interpretive paradigm was used to guide the case study. Interviews, focus groups, and observations generated data from 50 participants. The study revealed that the regulatory instruments used to manage records lack implementation and compliance. There was a lack of security measures, a shortage of records management infrastructure and inconsistency in the filing system. There is a low level of skill in the records management staff. The study recommended the implementation of a regulatory policy that will guide and ensure effective governance of records in PHCs. Records should be secure from misuse by unscrupulous individuals. PHC records need to be managed by experienced professionals. The filing system should be easily accessible. / Die studie het ondersoek ingestel na die bestuur van mediese rekords in die Primêre Gesondheidsorgdienste (PHC's) van Diepsloot. Die studie het ondersoek ingestel na die regulatoriese raamwerk, rekord van infrastruktuur, rekord sekuriteit, vaardighede vir rekordbestuur en die liasseerstelsel. 'n Kwalitatiewe ontwerp gelei deur die interpretatiewe paradigma is gebruik om die gevallestudie te lei. Onderhoude, fokusgroepe en waarnemings het gegewens van 50 deelnemers gegenereer. Die regulatoriese instrumente wat gebruik word om rekords te bestuur, het geen implementering en nakoming nie. Die studie het aan die lig gebring dat daar 'n gebrek aan veiligheidsmaatreëls was, 'n tekort aan infrastruktuur vir rekordbestuur en teenstrydigheid in die liasseringstelsel. Die personeel in rekordbestuur het 'n lae vlak van vaardigheid. Die studie het die implementering van 'n regulatoriese beleid aanbeveel wat die doeltreffende bestuur van rekords in PHC's sal lei en verseker. Rekords moet beskerm word teen misbruik deur gewetenlose individue. PHC-rekords moet deur ervare professionele persone uitgevoer word. Die liasseerstelsel moet maklik toeganklik wees. / Lolu cwaningo luphenywe ngokuphathwa kwamarekhodi ezokwelashwa emnyangweni Wezokunakekelwa kwempilo okuyisisekelo (i-PHCs) eDiepsloot. Ucwaningo luphenywe ngohlaka lokulawula, ingqalasizinda yamarekhodi, ukuphepha kwamarekhodi, amakhono okuphathwa kwamarekhodi nohlelo lokufayila. Umklamo olungaqanjwa uqondiswa yi-paradigm yokutolika wasetshenziselwa ukuqondisa ucwaningo lwesigameko. Izingxoxo, amaqembu okugxila kanye nokubukwa kukhiqize idatha evela kubahlanganyeli abangu 50. Izinsizakusebenza zokulawula ezisetshenziselwa ukuphatha amarekhodi zingenakho ukusebenza nokuhambisana. Ucwaningo luveze ukuthi bekukhona ukuntuleka kwezindlela zokuphepha, ukushoda kwengqalasizinda yokuphathwa kwamarekhodi kanye nokungahambelani ohlelweni lokugcwalisa. Kunezinga eliphansi lekhono kubasebenzi bokuphathwa kwamarekhodi. Ucwaningo lincome ukusetshenziswa kwenqubomgomo yokulawula ezohola futhi iqinisekise ukuphathwa kwamarekhodi kuma-PHCs ngendlela efanele. Amarekhodi kufanele avikeleke ekusetshenzisweni kabi ngabantu abangathembekile. Amarekhodi we-PHC adinga ukuqhutshwa ngochwepheshe abanolwazi. Uhlelo lokufayila kufanele lutholakale kalula. / Information Science / M. Inf.

Many scholars lament of poor infrastructure to manage and preserve digital records within the public sector in South Africa to support electronic government (egovernment). For example, in South Africa, the national archives’ repository and its subsidiary provincial archives do not have infrastructure to ingest digital records into archival custody. As a result, digital records are left to the creating agencies to manage and preserve. The problem is compounded by the fact that very few public sector organisations in South Africa have procured systems to manage digital records. Therefore, a question is how are digital records managed and stored in these organisations to support e-government? Do public organisations entrust their records to the cloud as an alternative storage given the fact that both physical and virtual storages are a problem? If they do, how do they ensure accessibility, governance, security and long-term preservation of records in the cloud? Utilising the Digital Curation Centre (DCC) Lifecycle Model as a guiding framework, this qualitative study sought to explore digital curation of records in the cloud to support e-government services in South Africa with the view to propose a framework that would guide the public sector to migrate records to the cloud storage. Semi-structured interviews were employed to collect data from the purposively selected Chief Information Officers in the national government departments that have implemented some of the electronic services such as the Department of Arts and Culture, Department of Home Affairs, Department of Higher Education and Training and the Department of Basic Education. Furthermore, the National Archives and Records Services of South Africa was also chosen as it is charged with the statutory regulatory role of records management in governmental bodies. So is the State Information Technology Agency (SITA), a public sector ICT company established in 1999 to consolidate and coordinate the state’s information technology resources in order to achieve cost savings through scale, increase delivery capabilities and enhance interoperability. Interview data were augmented through document analysis of legislation and policies pertaining to data storage. Data were analysed thematically and interpreted in accordance with the objectives of the study. The key finding suggests that although public servants informally and unconsciously put some records in the clouds, government departments in South Africa are sceptical to entrust their records to the cloud due to a number of reasons, such as lack of policy and legislative framework, lack of trust to the cloud storage, jurisdiction, legal implications, privacy, ownership and security risks. This study recommends that given the evolution of technology, the government should regulate cloud storage through policy and legislative promulgation, as well as developing a government-owned cloud managed through SITA in order for all government departments to use it. This study suggests a framework to migrate paperbased records to cloud storage that is controlled by the government. / Information Science / D.Lit. et Phil. (Information Science)

South African institutions of preservation, such as archives, have often focused their collecting efforts on records of national significance and documenting the perspectives of the more dominant communities that represent power and government. This has resulted in the underrepresentation of certain communities in the archival heritage of the nation, such as the South African Portuguese community, whose contemporary history and experiences have not been adequately reflected in the country’s archival collections, including in those of government and other mainstream archival institutions and non-public institutions. Since South Africa has a number of Portuguese community-based organisations - and because the records they have created may be a potential resource for safeguarding the social history of this under-documented group - this study aimed to investigate the management of these records with a view of proposing a best practice model that would assist in their future management and guide their inclusion in any intended archival collection initiatives. Utilising a generic interpretive qualitative research design, the study revealed that the selected study population, namely the Portuguese community-based organisations in Gauteng, create and hold diverse types of records that may show important aspects of the community’s history that are worthy of systematic management and preservation. However, it became evident from the empirical findings that the recordkeeping practices of these organisations were performed inadequately, with records often being misplaced or discarded after their administrative use had expired. The findings also showed that, although these organisations had never thought of establishing an archival programme for themselves or depositing their records in any mainstream archives, they were willing to contribute their records to a planned archival collecting initiative of the community. Based on these findings, recommendations were made with regard to these organisational records in order to improve their management and to facilitate their potential inclusion in an archival collecting plan. The study also suggested an archival collecting framework and a model for these records. The proposed model followed an integrated approach, taking into account the community’s divergent collecting and custody preferences, such as the mainstream institutional acquisition of these records or these being preserved within community structures. / Information Science / D. Litt. et Phil. (Information Science)