Knowledge Management and Electronic Records Management in the Realm of E-Government

Author(s):  
Kelvin Joseph Bwalya ◽  
Saul F. C. Zulu ◽  
Peter Mazebe II Mothataesi Sebina

The recent past has seen many interventions aimed at merging traditional records management approaches with emerging trends such as electronic records (e-Records), electronic government (e-Government) and Knowledge Management (KM). This has largely cascaded from the belief that appropriate records management practices may positively contribute to transparency, accountability, efficiency and increased productivity both in the public and private sector business value chains. However, realization of the full potential of records management in the realm of e-Government cannot be achieved if multi-disciplinary factors impacting on records management are ignored when drawing implementation strategies and roadmaps. This chapter utilizes extensive literature reviews to probe the best ways of implementing records management with KM in the public sector in the context of e-Government. The chapter posits that the application of KM is still in its infancy as the concept had yet to take root in the public sector.

Author(s):  
Kgomotso Hildegard Moahi ◽  
Shadrack Rathapo ◽  
Peter M. Sebina

Public sector reforms have become the norm in many jurisdictions, especially in the African continent. In Botswana there have been a number of significant reform activities over the years, aimed at enhancing the public sectors capacity to deliver effective and efficient service to its population. The authors contend that the implementation of reforms result in significant documentation, knowledge and lessons learnt that need to be harvested and harnessed to improve future implementation of such programs. This can be done for as long as the relationship between electronic records and Knowledge Management in this era is recognized, and both are embedded in the public-sector reforms design and implementation. This paper shows that there is a nexus between the management of knowledge and electronic records in achieving the objectives of public sector reforms. It also explicates reasons the relationship is important. It assesses the implementation of KM in the public sector and the link with electronic records management, and concludes that there is room for both.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aki Jääskeläinen ◽  
Virpi Sillanpää ◽  
Nina Helander ◽  
Riikka-Leena Leskelä ◽  
Ira Haavisto ◽  
...  

Purpose This study aims to report the design and testing of a maturity model for information and knowledge management in the public sector, intended for use in frequent monitoring, trend analysis and in-depth analysis of the contemporary information and knowledge management practices of an organization. Design/methodology/approach A design science approach was used to develop the proposed model. Creation of the model was based on an extensive literature review. Testing of the model was implemented as a survey receiving 37 responses from nine organizations organizing and purchasing public services. Findings The study presents four alternative profiles for an organization’s status, novice, experimenter, facilitator and advanced exploiter, and investigates the differences between these profiles on the basis of the empirical data gathered. The model was found to be both a valid and practical way to determine the state of an organization’s information and knowledge management and identify development needs. Research limitations/implications Testing was conducted in the Finnish public sector and further studies applying the model could be implemented in other countries. The model presented was designed specifically for the public sector and more research is needed to test its applicability in the private sector. Originality/value Maturity models are useful when evaluating information and knowledge management status in an organization, and beneficial for improving organizational performance. The proposed maturity model combines the fields of knowledge management and information management and contributes to the literature with an overarching maturity model that includes a dimension of satisfaction with the organizational maturity level. While many earlier models originate from the consultancy business, the model presented here was also designed for research purposes and tested in practice.


Author(s):  
Mosweu Olefhile ◽  
Mutshewa Athulang ◽  
Kelvin Joseph Bwalya

This chapter presents a case study of back-end information system implementation geared towards encouraging e-Government development in Botswana. The case is an in depth analysis of the implementation of the Electronic Document and Records Management System (EDRMS) at the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI). The focus of this chapter is two-fold: 1) it highlights the factors that influence the adoption and usage of EDRMS by Action Officers and Records Officers at MTI and correspondingly outline EDRMS' facilitatation of information access in the realm of e-Government; and 2) aims to understand the initiatives that have been implemented to facilitate robust e-Government development in the public sector of Botswana. This chapter culminates from a pilot that was done prior to an on-going study hinged on unison objectives. The indicative list of factors explaining the adoption of EDRMS might explain the global perception of ICTs in the public sector in Botswana. The limitation of the study is that its sample space may not be representative of the actual situation in Botswana's public sector given the heterogeneity in different line ministries and departments. Therefore, the results from this study might not guarantee statistical generalizations. The chapter is hinged on extensive literature reviews compounded by anecdotal evidence. This focus is novel because it aims to understand adoption and usage of ICT platforms by employees. Other research endeavours have probed citizens' and businesses' adoption of ICTs before considering institutional and employees' readiness hence investigating macro factors influencing technology adoption.


Author(s):  
Alphonse Juma ◽  
Nelly Mzera

This chapter does not seek to start or close a debate about Knowledge management (KM) versus Records Management (RM) differences to organisations. Our humble purpose is to review literature and show how KM and RM help organisations to have competitive advantage both from the public and private sectors. The chapter first examines the knowledge and records concept by presenting the definitions to circumscribe their differences. Secondly, an understanding of knowledge management is done by presenting and defining the key concepts. Thirdly, a discussion on the nexus between knowledge management and records management is given by presenting reviews from literature related to the areas. Fourthly, records management and knowledge management in enhancing competitive advantage are discussed. Last but not list, the chapter discusses knowledge management enablers in organisations; and technologies and applications for knowledge management.


2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 351-373 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sultan Ali Al Ahbabi ◽  
Sanjay Kumar Singh ◽  
Sreejith Balasubramanian ◽  
Sanjaya Singh Gaur

PurposeThe application of knowledge management (KM) is critical to public sector firm as it is to private sector firm. However, despite its significance, the academic enquiry of KM in public sector is at its nascent stage. This forms the motivation of the present work; this paper aims to analyze and understand the intricate relationship between KM processes and public sector firm performance in terms of operational, quality and innovation performance.Design/methodology/approachA comprehensive KM processes–performance framework consisting of seven constructs (four constructs of KM processes and three constructs of KM performance) and their underlying factors was developed through an extensive literature review. The employee perceptions of these seven constructs were captured on a five-point Likert scale using a country-wide survey in the UAE public sector. The 270 valid responses captured were then used to first validate the KM framework and then test the hypothesized relationships between KM processes and KM performance.FindingsThe findings show that all four KM processes (knowledge creation, knowledge capture and storage, knowledge sharing and knowledge application and use) had a positive and significant impact on operational, quality and innovation performance of public sector in the UAE.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings confirm the validity and reliability of all the seven constructs and their underlying factors and the assessment framework. Overall, this study fills a gap in the literature about applying/implementing a KM framework for the public sector and therefore significantly contributes toward the theoretical advancement of the field. However, the study does acknowledge the use of perceptual measures of individual employees as a limitation instead of more objective measures to capture the impact KM processes on KM performance.Practical implicationsThe strong and significant impact of KM processes on firm performance is expected to provide the impetus for practitioners and policymakers to implement and leverage from KM processes and improve firm performance in the public sector.Originality/valueA comprehensive development, validation and assessment of a KM framework for the public sector has not been attempted previously anywhere, let alone UAE, and hence constitutes the novelty of this work.


Author(s):  
Lungile P. Luthuli ◽  
Trywell T. Kalusopa

This study comparatively investigates the integration of medical records management requirements in the ICTs/electronic health systems in two hospitals: a public and private hospital in the Umhlathuze Area, KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. The study made a comparison and examined whether the current management practices support service delivery in the context of the Batho Pele principles. In doing this, the study reviewed extensive literature on records management by assessing the depth of the integration of ICTs in the management of medical records in South Africa. The targeted study sample in both the public and private hospital was 193.


Author(s):  
Mosweu Olefhile ◽  
Mutshewa Athulang ◽  
Kelvin Joseph Bwalya

This chapter presents a case study of back-end information system implementation geared towards encouraging e-Government development in Botswana. The case is an in depth analysis of the implementation of the Electronic Document and Records Management System (EDRMS) at the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI). The focus of this chapter is two-fold: 1) it highlights the factors that influence the adoption and usage of EDRMS by Action Officers and Records Officers at MTI and correspondingly outline EDRMS' facilitatation of information access in the realm of e-Government; and 2) aims to understand the initiatives that have been implemented to facilitate robust e-Government development in the public sector of Botswana. This chapter culminates from a pilot that was done prior to an on-going study hinged on unison objectives. The indicative list of factors explaining the adoption of EDRMS might explain the global perception of ICTs in the public sector in Botswana. The limitation of the study is that its sample space may not be representative of the actual situation in Botswana's public sector given the heterogeneity in different line ministries and departments. Therefore, the results from this study might not guarantee statistical generalizations. The chapter is hinged on extensive literature reviews compounded by anecdotal evidence. This focus is novel because it aims to understand adoption and usage of ICT platforms by employees. Other research endeavours have probed citizens' and businesses' adoption of ICTs before considering institutional and employees' readiness hence investigating macro factors influencing technology adoption.


2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-18
Author(s):  
Stewart Kaupa ◽  
Ken Chisa

The concept of records management aided by information and communication technologies (ICTs) has recently been embraced by many institutions across the globe. For example, organisations that have implemented the Electronic Document and Records Management System (EDRMS are deemed to be better equipped to handle both internally and externally generated records. These organisations are said to operate at higher level in terms of efficiency and effectiveness than those that still rely on manual filing. However, despite the well documented benefits that come With the adoption of ICTs for records management, some departments within the public sector in Namibia, such as the Ministry of Home Affairs, Homeland and Security as well as the Office of the Prime Minister are still heavily reliant on manual filing of documents. It is against this background that this study explored factors hindering the adoption of EDRMS in the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM). The study adopted a qualitative research approach to collect, analyse, and interpret data. The data collecting instruments included open-ended questionnaires, face-to-face interviews and observation of the study respondents. Data was analysed using the Atlas.ti tool. The study found that insufficient training of staff on electronic records management, lack of user needs analysis and lack of user involvement before the introduction of the system all contributed to resistance of the EDRMS adoption in the OPM. The study recommends that the OPM must provide adequate training to its employees on electronic records management and on the EDRMS in particular. The OPM should also make provision for the adoption of a change management strategy plan in order to get user buy-in for the new electronic system to be embraced.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ka Chun Chong ◽  
Hong Fung ◽  
Carrie Ho Kwan Yam ◽  
Patsy Yuen Kwan Chau ◽  
Tsz Yu Chow ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The elderly healthcare voucher (EHCV) scheme is expected to lead to an increase in the number of elderly people selecting private primary healthcare services and reduce reliance on the public sector in Hong Kong. However, studies thus far have reported that this scheme has not received satisfactory responses. In this study, we examined changes in the ratio of visits between public and private doctors in primary care (to measure reliance on the public sector) for different strategic scenarios in the EHCV scheme. Methods Based on comments from an expert panel, a system dynamics model was formulated to simulate the impact of various enhanced strategies in the scheme: increasing voucher amounts, lowering the age eligibility, and designating vouchers for chronic conditions follow-up. Data and statistics for the model calibration were collected from various sources. Results The simulation results show that the current EHCV scheme is unable to reduce the utilization of public healthcare services, as well as the ratio of visits between public and private primary care among the local aging population. When comparing three different tested scenarios, even if the increase in the annual voucher amount could be maintained at the current pace or the age eligibility can be lowered to include those aged 60 years, the impact on shifts from public-to-private utilization were insignificant. The public-to-private ratio could only be marginally reduced from 0.74 to 0.64 in the first several years. Nevertheless, introducing a chronic disease-oriented voucher could result in a significant drop of 0.50 in the public-to-private ratio during the early implementation phase. However, the effect could not be maintained for an extended period. Conclusions Our findings will assist officials in improving the design of the EHCV scheme, within the wider context of promoting primary care among the elderly. We suggest that an additional chronic disease-oriented voucher can serve as an alternative strategy. The scheme must be redesigned to address more specific objectives or provide a separate voucher that promotes under-utilized healthcare services (e.g., preventive care), instead of services designed for unspecified reasons, which may lead to concerns regarding exploitation.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Moumita Acharyya ◽  
Tanuja Agarwala

PurposeThe paper aims to understand the different motivations / reasons for engaging in CSR initiatives by the organizations. In addition, the study also examines the relationship between CSR motivations and corporate social performance (CSP).Design/methodology/approachThe data were collected from two power sector organizations: one was a private sector firm and the other was a public sector firm. A comparative analysis of the variables with respect to private and public sector organizations was conducted. A questionnaire survey was administered among 370 employees working in the power sector, with 199 executives from public sector and 171 from private sector.Findings“Philanthropic” motivation emerged as the most dominant CSR motivation among both the public and private sector firms. The private sector firm was found to be significantly higher with respect to “philanthropic”, “enlightened self-interest” and “normative” CSR motivations when compared with the public sector firms. Findings suggest that public and private sector firms differed significantly on four CSR motivations, namely, “philanthropic”, “enlightened self-interest”, “normative” and “coercive”. The CSP score was significantly different among the two power sector firms of public and private sectors. The private sector firm had a higher CSP level than the public sector undertaking.Research limitations/implicationsFurther studies in the domain need to address differences in CSR motivations and CSP across other sectors to understand the role of industry characteristics in influencing social development targets of organizations. Research also needs to focus on demonstrating the relationship between CSP and financial performance of the firms. Further, the HR outcomes of CSR initiatives and measurement of CSP indicators, such as attracting and retaining talent, employee commitment and organizational climate factors, need to be assessed.Originality/valueThe social issues are now directly linked with the business model to ensure consistency and community development. The results reveal a need for “enlightened self-interest” which is the second dominant CSR motivation among the organizations. The study makes a novel contribution by determining that competitive and coercive motivations are not functional as part of organizational CSR strategy. CSR can never be forced as the very idea is to do social good. Eventually, the CSR approach demands a commitment from within. The organizations need to emphasize more voluntary engagement of employees and go beyond statutory requirements for realizing the true CSR benefits.


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