Factors Affecting Record Management in Tanzania Public Sector:

Abstract

In the modern world, most organisations in the public sector with an overarching electronic document and records management system in place handle with ease all their internally and externally generated information and hence operate at a superior level in terms of efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery as compared to those organisations that still heavily rely on manual files and folders. The main objective of the study was to examine factors affecting record management in the Tanzanian public sector: A Case of the Immigration Department in Kilimanjaro Region. The study was guided by the following specific objectives: to determine the effect of infrastructure, technology, and staff competence in record management at the Immigration Department in Kilimanjaro Region. The study used a quantitative research approach. Analytical cross-sectional and descriptive design was adopted in the collection and analysis of data. Regression analysis indicated that infrastructure, technology, and staff competence have a significant influence on record management at the Immigration Department in Kilimanjaro Region. The findings indicate that the majority of the respondents strongly agreed that infrastructure, technology, and staff competence play a very important role in record management at the immigration department in Kilimanjaro Region. The study concluded that infrastructure is one of the significant determinants of record management at the immigration department in Kilimanjaro Region. It is clear from the results of the regression analysis that there is a positive correlation between technology and record management. It was also concluded that staff competence is also a key determinant of record management at the immigration department in the Kilimanjaro Region. It was recommended that the department also provide regular training for the staff to facilitate proper record management. The immigration department in Kilimanjaro Region should also maintain its computer infrastructure, which helps in collecting, updating, controlling, recording, and storing information for future use. The study suggested that further research should be conducted to establish other influencers of record management not covered in this study. Also, the same study should be carried out in other Tanzanian public sector departments to find out if the same results will be obtained.