Julie McLeod

Assessing the impact of ISO 15489 – a preliminary investigation

This article shares the results of a preliminary investigation into the impact of ISO 15489, the international records management standard, conducted between January 2002 and March 2003. Attendees at a series of records management and information management events were asked about their awareness of, initial reactions to and plans for using the standard. The results show a relatively high level of awareness of the standard within and beyond the records management profession and very positive reactions to its publication, despite any imperfections. Most encouraging of all was the range of plans for using the standard. As well as using it for policy/strategy development, to underpin records management procedures and to benchmark current practice, many records professionals plan to use the standard to raise the profile of records management within their organisations.

Thoughts on the opportunities for records professionals of the open access, open data agenda

Purpose – The purpose of this editorial is to highlight the potential challenges and opportunities for information and records managers of the “open access” agenda. This is becoming increasingly high profile not only in the research sector, but also the public sector as a result of a number of key drivers, namely, research funder requirements, regulatory compliance, and the demand for greater openness, transparency and accountability.Design/methodology/approach – The article is a viewpoint informed by the findings from two recent projects directed by the author and on wider conversations and publications. It is not an in‐depth analysis of the literature.Findings – The author suggests that the increasing profile and importance of “open access” and “open data” offer new opportunities for information and records managers. They provide technical as well as people challenges and a new context in which information and records managers can apply their expertise. This will be different to the compliance agenda; i...

Development of RMJ

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine critically the history of Records Management Journal on its 20th anniversary; it aims to review and analyse its evolution and its contribution in the context of the development of the profession and the discipline of records management. The paper seeks to provide the context and justification for the selection of eight articles previously published in the journal to be reprinted in this issue.Design/methodology/approach – The paper utilises the contents of Records Management Journal (1989 to date) to present a thematic analysis of topics covered and their development over time, and statistical data (from 2002 to date) provided by the current publisher to assess quantitatively the use and impact of the journal worldwide. The paper then compares this with a series of key turning points in the records management profession.Findings – There is evidence that the initial aspiration for the journal to make an important and long‐lasting impact on the field of reco...

A strategic approach to making sense of the “wicked” problem of ERM

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide an approach to viewing the “wicked” problem of electronic records management (ERM), using the Cynefin framework, a sense‐making tool. It re‐conceptualises the ERM challenge by understanding the nature of the people issues. This supports decision making about the most appropriate tactics to adopt to effect positive change.Design/methodology/approach – Cynefin was used to synthesise qualitative data from an empirical research project that investigated strategies and tactics for improving ERM.Findings – ERM may be thought of as a dynamic, complex challenge but, viewed through the Cynefin framework, many issues are not complex; they are simple or complicated and can be addressed using best or good practice. The truly complex issues need a different approach, described as emergent practice. Cynefin provides a different lens through which to view, make sense of and re‐perceive the ERM challenge and offers a strategic approach to accelerating change.Research limi...

Records management practices in small and medium-sized enterprises: a study in North-East England

A survey study of 300 enterprises in North-East England yielded new information on the records management procedures in small and medium-sized enterprises. The survey showed that companies with more formalised management structures took a more organised approach to records management, and companies with various formal policies paid more attention to records management. Records management practices seemed to be independent of company size and industrial sector.

The challenges facing public libraries in the Big Society: The role of volunteers, and the issues that surround their use in England

The use of volunteers in English public libraries is nothing new, however their use is becoming ever greater and one may argue that we are increasingly seeing a mixed economy of public library provision, in the wider arena of the Big Society. This paper presents the findings of a Delphi Study of 15 library managers undertaken as part of a Professional Doctorate exploring the challenges facing public libraries in England today, particularly focusing on volunteer use. An overview of relevant supporting literature is provided to help contextualize the research, particularly focusing on concepts such as the political background surrounding policy development, community engagement, the Big Society, and volunteering. Explanation of how the Delphi Study was conducted is given, together with a discussion of the key findings. Results show that opinions of library managers cover a broad spectrum. Although volunteer use is generally viewed by the respondents as a good thing, with potential to further enhance a service and aid community engagement, there are also a number of concerns. These concerns particularly relate to the idea of the volunteer as a replacement to paid staff rather than an enhancement to the service. Other key concerns relate to the quality of service provision, the rationale behind volunteer use, and the capacity of communities to deliver. Volunteer use in public libraries on this scale is a new phenomenon, and the longevity of such a development is largely unknown. This raises the question as to whether this is simply a large scale ideological experiment, or a move to even greater community engagement?

On being part of the solution, not the problem: taking a proportionate approach to managing records

Purpose – This article seeks to provide a perspective on a future pathway for records management that is based on taking a proportionate approach rather than striving for perfection. This approach requires a re‐interpretation of traditional principles and their application in practice and recognition of the predominance of people in successful information and records management in the digital domain.Design/methodology/approach – The views are the authors based on the headline findings of a major research project (AC+erm) which investigated issues and practical strategies for accelerating positive change in electronic records management. They incorporate views on contextual developments since the project, in particular the characteristics of todays hybrid and increasingly mobile office environment such as the use of recognition technologies.Findings – The ten headline findings of the AC+erm project are shared. Two strategic findings are highlighted, namely, articulating a vision of successful electronic ...

Records management capacity and compliance toolkits: a critical assessment

Purpose – This article seeks to present the results of a project that critically evaluated a series of toolkits for assessing records management capacity and/or compliance. These toolkits have been developed in different countries and sectors within the context of the e‐environment and provide evidence of good corporate and information governance.Design/methodology/approach – A desk‐based investigation of the tools was followed by an electronic Delphi with toolkit developers and performance measurement experts to develop a set of evaluation criteria. Different stakeholders then evaluated the toolkits against the criteria using cognitive walkthroughs and expert heuristic reviews. The results and the research process were reviewed via electronic discussion.Findings – Developed by recognised and highly respected organisations, three of the toolkits are software tools, whilst the fourth is a methodology. They are all underpinned by relevant national/international records management legislation, standards and ...

How to manage records in the e-environment

Introduction Copyright and libraries User permissions Licensing schemes Licensing agreements for electronic information Electronic copying and digital use of copyright material UK legislation EU documents International treaties Case law Copyright in the work environment (case studies) Further reading Useful organisations, addresses and web sites.

Opening research data: issues and opportunities

Purpose – This paper aims to explore the issues, the role of research data management (RDM) as a mechanism for implementing open research data and the role and opportunities for records managers. The open data agenda is premised on making as much data as possible open and available. However, in the context of open research data there are methodological, ethical and practical issues with this premise. Design/methodology/approach – Two collaborative research projects focusing on qualitative health data were conducted. “DATUM for Health” designed and delivered a tailored RDM skills training programme for postgraduate research students in health studies. “DATUM in Action” was an action research project between researchers from information sciences, health, mathematics and computing, looking at planning and implementing RDM. Findings – Three key issues emerged about what research data is appropriate to make open/accessible for sharing and reuse: re-using qualitative data conflicts with some of the epistemologi...