Magister Library and Information Studies - MLIS / Universities face complex changes such as mergers; new competitors; socio-economic; political and
technological changes. In order to survive and preserve competitive advantage, the university has to
adapt to such changes. The University of the Western Cape has been through many changes since its
establishment to its current status as a culturally diverse autonomous institution with a mission
statement that reflects its ability to respond and adapt to change.
Universities that can adapt to changes are considered to be intelligent. Intelligent universities adapt to
changing and unpredictable environments by organizing all information resources; transforming
information to knowledge; and using this knowledge to enhance performance. Records are an
information resource. They contain evidence of business activities of an organization, their
management therefore is important. This study was undertaken to add knowledge and insight into
records management in the intelligent university by investigating whether records management
contributes to making the University of the Western Cape intelligent.
Records management is a function within an organization, hence the researcher's choice of the
functionalist theory to frame this exploratory qualitative case study. Secondary sources, semi
structured interviews; and electronic questionnaires were used to collect data from purposively
selected participants. The data was imported and analysed on a qualitative data analysis software
Atlas.ti7, version 7.5.10. The findings of the study showed that records management as a function was
not used optimally by the university due to limited knowledge and awareness of its existence; as well
as other services it offers. Records management therefore does not contribute to making the
University of the Western Cape intelligent. Marketing, training, strategic placement of the records
management function on the university organizational structure, integration with other components,
implementation of electronic records management and a records management model for the intelligent
university were recommended to address short-comings.
This study adds more knowledge on records management in the intelligent university and brings to
light the importance of the records management function; highlights how university records can be
used for competitive advantage as well as decision-making; and aids in developing a records
management model for an intelligent university. A large scale national study in other institutions
of higher learning to provide a clearer picture of whether records management plays a role in
making South African universities intelligent is recommended.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:uwc/oai:etd.uwc.ac.za:11394/6191 |
| Date | January 2017 |
| Creators | Momoti, Nikiwe Gloria |
| Contributors | King, Lizette |
| Publisher | University of the Western Cape |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Rights | University of the Western Cape |
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