This article examines e-record readiness in labour organizations in Botswana and proposes an e-record readiness framework to be used in context. E-records readiness was examined based on a mixture of components, which included information and communication technology uptake and use; best records management practices; selected tenets of existing e-records readiness assessment tools and the extent of integration of labour organizations into the national e-readiness framework. The study was largely guided by a quantitative paradigm and used a survey research strategy, which was complemented by methodological triangulation of data collection methods. All the 50 registered labour organizations in Botswana were surveyed, 45 of which responded, representing a response rate of 90 percent. Data were obtained through structured questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, document review and observations. The study established that e-records readiness in labour organizations in Botswana was evident, low and evolving. That was evidenced by the slow adoption of ICTs; inadequate records management standards and practices; and low integration in the national e-readiness framework. It was recommended that in order to foster successful e-records readiness in labour organisations, there is a need to underscore effective ICT adoption and use, implementation of best records management practices and rigorous integration of labour organizations into the information and knowledge society in Botswana.
AdrianAMNorwoodSHMaskPL (2005) Producers’ perceptions and attitudes toward precision agriculture technologies. Computers and electronics in agriculture48(3): 256–271.
2.
AkotiaP (2002) Financial records management project: Phase III. Paper submitted to the Government of Uganda, DFID Kampala. 17-28 January.
3.
BothaME (1989) Theory development in perspective: the role of conceptual frameworks and models in theory development. Journal of Advanced Nursing14(1): 49–55.
DavisFD (1989) Perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and user acceptance of information technology. MIS Quarterly13: 31–340.
8.
Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) (2008) Trade unions in Botswana. Gaborone: FES.
9.
GundoganN (2008) The trade union movement and the Internet. Paper presented at the 66th Midwest Political Science Association Conference, Chicago, 3-6 April.
10.
International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) (2001) Strategic perspective on the international trade union movement for the 21st Century. http://www.cosatu.org.za/doc(Accessed 20 November 2006).
11.
International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) (2001) ISO 15489–1 Information and documentation–records management–part 1 general. Geneva: ISO.
12.
International Records Management Trust (IRMT) (2003) Evidence-based government in the electronic age: case summaries. Available:http://ww.irmt.org/evidence/index.html(Accessed 20 May 2010)
KalusopaT (2010) E-records readiness – Can we build a contextual and conceptual framework for labour organisation in Botswana?ESARBICA Journal29:124–146.
15.
KalusopaT (2009) Challenges of information and knowledge management in trade union in Botswana within the context of millennium development goals. Journal of African Studies and Development1(1): 1–7.
16.
KanyenzeGKondoKMartensJ (2006) The search for sustainable human development in Southern Africa. Harare: ANSA.
17.
KatuuS (2004) Report on an investigation of electronic records in the Commonwealth, Johannesburg. (Manuscript)
18.
KeakopaS (2006) Management of electronic records in Botswana, Namibia and south Africa: opportunities and challenges. Unpublished PhD Thesis. University College London.
19.
KeakopaSM (2010) Overview of archival and records management developments in the ESARBICA region. The Journal of the Australian Society of Archivists38(1): 51–77.
20.
KemoniHN (2007) Records management practices and public service delivery in Kenya. PhD Thesis, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.
21.
KemoniHN (2008) Theoretical framework and literature review in graduate records management research. African Journal of Library, Archives and Information Science18(2): 103–119.
22.
LaxS (2001) Access denied in the information age. New York: Palgrave.
23.
LittleDBoseA (2004) Botswana’s National ICT Policy: Assessment of e-readiness and e-potential at the local community level. Gaborone: DIT.
24.
Maitlamo (2004) ICT sector survey in Botswana: Report of national ICT consultancy for Botswana. Gaborone: Consulting and Audit Canada.
25.
McLeodJChildsSHeafordS (2006) A guide to records management capacity and compliance toolkits and recommendations for their practical use. Newcastle: Northumbria University.
26.
MoloiJ (2006) An Investigation of e-records management in government: Case study of Botswana. Unpublished MA Thesis, University of Botswana.
27.
MutitiN (2001) The challenges of managing electronic records in the ESARBICA region, ESARBICA Journal20(3): 57–61.
28.
MutulaSMBrakelP (2006) E-readiness of SMEs in the ICT sector in Botswana with respect to information access. The Electronic Library24(3):402–417.
29.
MutulaSMWamukoyaJ (2007) E-government readiness in east and southern Africa. Encyclopedia of Digital Government2:571–579.
30.
NgulubeP (2004) Implications of technological advances for access to the cultural heritage of selected countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. Government Information Quarterly21:143–155.
31.
NgulubeP (2005) Research procedures used by Master of Information Studies students at the University of Natal in the period 1982–2002 with special reference to their sampling techniques and survey response rates: a methodological discourse. International Information and Library Review37: 127–143.
32.
ReevesTC (1997) A model of the effective dimensions of interactive learning on World Wide Web. Paper presented at the proceedings of Interaktiivinen Teknologia Koulutuksessa (ITK ’97), Finland [On-line]http//it.coe.uga.edu/treeves/Webpaper.pdf(Accessed 22 October 2009)
33.
Registrar of Trade Unions (2010) Trade union registration statistics. Gaborone: Office of the Registrar of Trade Unions.
34.
SmythR (2004) Exploring the usefulness of a conceptual framework as a research tool: a researcher’s reflections. Issues in Educational Research14(2):167–180. Also available: http://education.curtin.ed.au/iier/iier14/symth.html(Accessed 22 October 2010).
35.
TshotloKMnjamaN (2010) Records management audit: the case of Gaborone City Council. ESARBICA Journal29: 5–35.
36.
WamukoyaJMutulaS (2005) Capacity-building requirements for e-records management: the case in east and southern Africa. Records Management Journal15(2) 71–79.
37.
WamukoyaJMnjamaN (2007) E-government and records management: an assessment tool for e-records readiness in government. The Electronic Library25(3) 274–284.
38.
WatoR (2006) E-records readiness in the ESARBICA Region: Challenges and the way forward. ESARBICA Journal25.
39.
WilliamsonKBowA (2000) Analysis of quantitative and qualitative data. In Research methods for students and professionals: information management and systems, edited by WilliamsonK. Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Charles Stuart University: 267–285.
