How are records used in organizations?

• Introduction. This paper reports an investigation of whether the use made of records affects the design of record keeping systems.Method. The empirical data used in this paper are from four interpretative case studies. A total of fifty interviews and 100 hours of participative observations have been used in data collection. Analysis. The analyses of the collected data have followed a qualitative approach where the data have been categorized and re-categorized. An analysis model was developed based on archival theory and temporal structures, which were the primary purpose and secondary purposes of the use of records. Results. In the temporal structure, the use characteristics were the relationship to a predetermined work process, which required use of records. Within the other temporal structure, the secondary purpose of records use, the use was more difficult to predetermine or identify in advance. The characteristics of the users and their use resulted in unknown users and use of records. Conclusions. It is difficult to predict future use of records, which requires new methods and techniques for design and developing of record keeping systems that can take both the unknown and known user needs into consideration.

Ämnesord

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Data- och informationsvetenskap (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Computer and Information Sciences (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Informatics, computer and systems science

Informatik, data- och systemvetenskap

Publikations- och innehållstyp

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