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The face of records management has changed forever. For many organisations this has meant the loss of the traditional records manager, even the whole records section, as we knew it. Few would deny that the profession has moved from one based largely on a passive centralised reception of paper‐based documents to one rife with exciting, albeit challenging, possibilities in a constantly evolving distributed electronic world. The virtual office is nigh upon us (as we have been saying for a number of years!). Emphasis has moved from the purely reactive management of hard‐copy records to include the pro‐active management of the electronic record, and for many, a far more active role in the provision of information services to one‘s client group. Theoretical and industry driven developments mean that education and training for recordkeeping professionals need to encompass a wider range of knowledge and skills than ever before and educational institutions in Australia are rising to the challenge of producing highly motivated, well‐rounded recordkeeping professionals.

The purpose of this article is to explore the types of standards that exist for records and information management and examples of their use in practice.

The article is based on literature and the author's own knowledge.

Finds that standards provide a reference point for measurement, a global best practice benchmark against which to evaluate any record‐keeping program.

This article explores the types of standards that exist and examples of their use within records and information management. An overview of the value of standards as an essential tool of RIM practice is provided.

This paper is a report of a study that looks at the practice of records management in the public sector in Zimbabwe and the extent to which records management, within Zimbabwe, can be regarded as a profession. The study reveals that records are mishandled and abused suggesting a lack of ethics. Those with the job title records manager have neither specialized training nor a code of ethics. The conclusions drawn are that, in Zimbabwe, records management has not yet been professionalized. The paper then suggests that the adoption of a code of ethics might lead to the professionalization of records management.

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.

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.

There is evidence that the initial aspiration for the journal to make an important and long‐lasting impact on the field of records management in the UK has been exceeded because its readers and contributors are global. The volume of downloads has continued to increase year‐on‐year and the journal appears to be the only peer‐reviewed journal in the world in the records management discipline. The journal has responded to and kept abreast of the records management agenda.

The analysis is based on the work of the current and immediate past Editor and did not seek the views of its Editorial Board members, readers or contributors to the journal.

Looking to the future, the journal must seek to widen its impact on other key stakeholders in managing information and records – managers, information systems designers, information creators and users – as well as records professionals. It must also continue to develop the scope of its content, whilst maintaining its focus on managing records, and must keep pace with technology developments. It should try to influence the professional agenda, be controversial, stimulate debate and encourage change. And it should remain a quality resource.

The paper provides a unique critical analysis of the journal, its history and contribution to the development of records management, on its 20th anniversary of publication.

The following report was brought up by Dr. P. Brouardel, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine of Paris, President of the Commission, and was submitted for the approval of the Congress:

Presents 35 abstracts from the 2001 Employment Research Unit Annual conference held at Cardiff Business School in September 2001. Attempts to explore the theme of changing politics of employment relations beyond and within the nation state, against a background of concern in the developed economies at the erosion of relatively advanced conditions of work and social welfare through increasing competition and international agitation for more effective global labour standards. Divides this concept into two areas, addressing the erosion of employment standards through processes of restructuring and examining attempts by governments, trade unions and agencies to re‐create effective systems of regulation. Gives case examples from areas such as India, Wales, London, Ireland, South Africa, Europe and Japan. Covers subjects such as the Disability Discrimination Act, minimum wage, training, contract workers and managing change.