Record management practices in labour organisations in Botswana

Background: This article is part of a doctoral research study that, amongst others, assessede-records readiness and examined the current records management practices in labourorganisations in Botswana.Objective: The main objective of the study was to examine records management practices inlabour organisations in BotswanaMethods: A quantitative paradigm largely guided this study. The researchers used asurvey research strategy. Methodological triangulation of both quantitative and qualitativedata collection methods complemented the strategy. The researchers surveyed all of the 50registered labour organisations in Botswana. Of these, 45 responded. This is a response rate of90%. The researchers obtained their data through structured questionnaires, semi-structuredinterviews, document reviews and observations.Results: The study showed that labour organisations in Botswana had some form of recordsmanagement function. However, the management of both paper-based and electronic recordswas not satisfactory and fell short of the best-recognised records management standards andpractices.Conclusion: Although the researchers limited the study to labour organisations, it sheds lighton the challenges of managing records that most organisations in Botswana face. Its resultsprovide useful strategic recommendations to promote effective records management in labourorganisations in Botswana and elsewhere in Africa.