The status of records management in Malawian private universities: the empirical case of University of Livingstonia
ISSN: 0956-5698
Article publication date: 25 October 2023
Issue publication date: 2 November 2023
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate records management practices in Malawian private universities with a focus on University of Livingstonia.
Design/methodology/approach
The study used embedded case study design using a mixed methods approach. A survey questionnaire, semi-structured interview guide and a document review were used to collect data from University of Livingstonia staff.
Findings
The study found that University of Livingstonia created records such as minutes, grades, mails, theses, policy documents and reports. Some of the challenges related to records management at the institution were uncoordinated records management practices due to, among others, lack of records management policy, retention and disposal schedules among others. It further reported a number of factors frustrating the success of records management practices at UNILIA such as lack of management support, poor funding and lack of information communication technology infrastructure. Nevertheless, the study acknowledged the role of records management at University of Livingstonia.
Originality/value
Previous studies on records management in Malawi focused on public sector. However, this is a novel study undertaken in the private higher education. Therefore, it forms a basis for conceptualising records management phenomena in the private higher education in Malawi.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors are highly indebted to Associate Professor Elizabeth Lomas (PhD) for the thorough and diligent editorial work rendered to this paper. The authors also appreciate the anonymous reviewers for the insights that shaped the paper.
Citation
Simwaka, K., Malanga, D.F. and Chipeta, G.T. (2023), "The status of records management in Malawian private universities: the empirical case of University of Livingstonia", Records Management Journal, Vol. 33 No. 2/3, pp. 165-182. https://doi.org/10.1108/RMJ-07-2022-0021
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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