Great expectations? Heliocentrism, semantics and the records manager

Abstract

Purpose

This paper sets out to explore the role of the records manager and to consider what is expected of them. It aims to encourage and challenge all information professionals to re‐examine and explore their own expectations of the recordkeeping profession in the first instance, and of the relationship between recordkeeping and other information professions.

Design/methodology/approach

The subject is approached in the paper by considering changes to the ways in which records have been created and managed, and to changes in theoretical thinking about records, particularly the life cycle versus the continuum. This is used to support the argument that boundaries between different information‐related professions are blurring and that information professionals need to re‐evaluate their own expectations of themselves, and of the other professions.

Findings

The paper has developed a model which extrapolates shared elements of the information professions and consists of a central “meta‐purpose” whose attainment is influenced by four “purposing activities” and five “information aspects”. This model can be used as a framework to discern points of similarity/difference between professions and understand where points of potential conflict and complement might occur. The underlying thesis that the role of records managers continues to change and that the boundaries between professions are blurring is extended to all information professionals. Each is encouraged to understand more about the others and to acknowledge that understanding respective strengths is the best way to attaining a shared “meta‐purpose”.

Originality/value

The “characteristic model” for the information professions provides a new way of thinking about the similarities and differences between those who deal in information. It is of value to records managers in particular, but also to those working in the field of information.

Citation

Benfell, P. (2007), "Great expectations? Heliocentrism, semantics and the records manager", Records Management Journal, Vol. 17 No. 2, pp. 74-81. https://doi.org/10.1108/09565690710757878