Electronic records management practices at the Companies and Intellectual Property Authority in Gaborone, Botswana

Abstract

This study presents the findings of the study that sought to evaluate electronic records management practices at the Companies and Intellectual Property Authority (CIPA) in Botswana with the intention to recommend proper management of e-records. The study largely adopted a quantitative approach in which data were collected using a questionnaire, which was also augmented with triangulation of interviews and observation data. The target population of the study was sixty-one (61) respondents comprising of e-records creators and users (action officers), records management professionals, information technology professionals as well as CIPA directors. The response rate achieved was 75.4%. The study established that there is a massive production of e-records at CIPA, but instead, there is a lack of policies and procedures that govern the management of e-records. The study recommends that CIPA should develop, document and implement policies and procedures that guide the management of e-records including email records. The study also recommends that CIPA should also send their staff for e-records management training so that they have knowledge and skills on the current trends in e-records management practices.