Browsing by Author "Dewah, P."

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    Covid-19, a catalyst or disruptor? comprehending access to records and archives under the new normal
    (Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Branch of the International Council on Archives, 2022-06-30) Manyika, S.; Dewah, P.
    The onset of the Covid-19 pandemic and the resultant intervention measures disrupted and affected the normal operations of business and access to records and archives as information sources. The study sought to explore the impact of Covid-19 on the access to records and archives in the public sector during the pandemic, bearing in mind the disruptive and catalytic effects of the pandemic. Using a qualitative methodology, data were gathered through document studies, and interviews were conducted with records managers from 18 purposively selected organisations. The findings showed that organisations had not moved much towards e-records but depended heavily on paper records. The lockdown period witnessed misdirection and loss of records. Staff taking turns to report for duty also impacted negatively on records. This posed serious threats to proper records and archives management, making room for occurrences such as destruction or alterations by unscrupulous individuals. The study concluded that the pandemic triggered a sense of urgency in the formulation of policies and procedures that promoted remote access. The study recommended that business should always be prepared to deal with disruptive tendencies of pandemics and any other eventuality giving records and archives management great consideration in business continuity plans. Access to records and archives should not be disrupted, as has been the case throughout the pandemic. Organisations should digitise their records and archives to avoid disruptions of service delivery and decision-making during lockdowns.
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    Digitisation of records to improve access at the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority
    (Journal of the South African Society of Archivists, 2022-08-10) Sithole, B.; Dewah, P.
    The change from paper to digital records management at the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) has been widely accepted to solve problems of poor records management systems and inefficiency throughout the organisation, but it brought with it some challenges. The purpose of the study was to assess the digitisation project to improve records access at ZERA. In a sequential explanatory design, the researchers used a simple mixed methods research approach to collect data. Data were collected through questionnaires and interviews from purposively selected individuals because of their characteristics and significance in the context of what the study was investigating. The findings of the study revealed that the digitisation project at ZERA was a major success and it has improved the records management system in numerous ways, including improved access to records, fast and easy retrieval of information and timely access to records. However, the study revealed that digitisation comes with challenges such as the issue of security of records as cyber criminals always try to unlawfully access the organisation’s information. These challenges affect the organisation’s efficiency and effectiveness, slowing down processes and affecting the organisation’s service delivery. It also revealed that some members of the organisation find it difficult to adapt to digital change. Instead of embracing and using the new system, they lag behind and stick to the old ways of doing things. ZERA did not train its staff in the management of digital records, which contributed to resistance to digital change. The study recommends ZERA to budget for the appropriate infrastructure; employ more reliable security measures; train its staff in using, managing and securing digital records, and employ individuals with the required skills to manage digital records.
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    ICTs for enhancing Knowledge Management amongst academics at the National University of Science and Technology, Zimbabwe
    (South African Journal of Libraries and Information Science, 2022-08-31) Dewah, P.; Sibanda, F.
    This study investigated the use of Information and Communication Technologies that are used to for knowledge management amongst academics at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) based on anecdotal evidence that inadequate IT resources have always hampered knowledge management among academics. The purpose of the study was to investigate how ICTs are used to enhance knowledge management amongst academics at the NUST. Anchored on the interpretivist paradigm, the study used qualitative research method in a case study design where interviews were conducted with six deans of faculties across the university and one ICTs officer. Data was gathered through face-to-face in-depth interviews and analysed using themes. Findings indicated that NUST provides the academics with desktop computers for knowledge management and laptops are provided only on request. Academics are offered training when the ICTs department introduces new software. It also emerged that mistrust and bureaucracy in the university affects lecturers’ knowledge management. The study concluded that academics at the university are aware of the importance of ICTs in managing knowledge, but weak and unreliable internet connection were major barriers to knowledge management amongst academics. The study recommends adequate provision of technologies such as laptops since some academics are reluctant to share knowledge using personal resources.