Evaluation of records management practices at cornerstone development Africa

Abstract

The research focused on the evaluation of the records management practices at Cornerstone Development Africa and it included the backgroung of the study, problem statement, objectives and research questions to the study, purpose of the study and definition of operational terms. The objectives of this study were; to find out the different types of records created and kept at Cornerstone Development Africa, to assess the Records Management Practices at Cornerstone Development Africa, to identify the challenges associated with the management of records at Cornerstone Development Africa and to suggest suitable recommendations to effectively and efficiently manage the records and information at Cornerstone Development Africa. The study reviewed literature on the concepts of records management practices that is the types of records, the records management practices in organizations, challenges of the records management practices and possible solutions to the challenges in ensuring good records management practices in private organizations. Under research methodology, the study covered the research design where the researcher used descriptive research design since it availed a framework for the interpretation of variables of the study. The study population comprised of 30 study population, only 10 was used as the sample size based on the technique of simple random sampling which was used to select the respondents in the organization of the study due to the proximity of the researcher„s views of time and funds constraints. The study focused on primary data source and data collections tools such as interview guides were used. The results indicated that; the organization have never appraises or disposes of its records ever since its establishment and majority of its historical records are stored electronically and the hard copies are burnt and destroyed completely. It was recommended that the organization adopts a records management policy, train its staff on simple records management standards, adopts a records preservation plan, revive the records department. The research concluded that Cornerstone Development Africa records departments have worked truly on records management problems though the safety and security of records is a challenge to personnel responsible for records since majority are basically converted into electronic nature.