The utilisation of mobile technologies in outreach services at the National Archives of Zimbabwe

Abstract

This article focuses on investigating the utilisation of mobile technologies in outreach services at the National Archives of Zimbabwe (NAZ). The study adopted a case study strategy anchored on an interpretivist paradigm. Data were gathered from interviews with a purposively selected maximum variation sample of NAZ staff members and from relevant primary documents and physical artefacts. The collected data were thematically analysed and presented in accordance with the research objectives. The findings established that staff were aware of and keen to adopt mobile technologies for outreach purposes. However, negative conditions at NAZ such as limited access to the internet, lack of a clear policy, equipment, and technical support hindered mobile technology adoption for outreach purposes. The study established that the disparity between staff awareness levels and institutional preparedness influenced staff members’ adoption of mobile technologies outside official channels. As such, mobile technologies used in outreach services at NAZ were ad hoc. Overall, the study established that mobile technology utilisation at NAZ was in the elemental stages, where use variety, breadth and intensity were constrained. The study recommends that NAZ should craft a policy to regulate and institutionalise the use of mobile technologies for outreach purposes, and upgrade their ICT facilities.