A RESEARCH REPORT SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF LIBRARY, ARCHIVES AND DOCUMENTATION STUDIES IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF AN ORDINARY DIPLOMA IN RECORDS AND ARCHIVES MANAGEMENT.

This study assessed the protection of vital records and respondents' perceived contribution of that protection to organizational performance in public offices, using Bagamoyo District Council as a case study. The study was guided by three specific objectives: to examine existing vital records protection practices, identify challenges affecting vital records protection, and assess respondents’ perceived relationship between vital records protection and organizational performance. A descriptive research design with a mixed-methods approach was employed. Data were collected using questionnaires and interviews. Questionnaires were distributed to all 25 employees forming the target population, of which 25 were fully completed and returned, giving a response rate of 100%. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data were analyzed through thematic analysis. The findings revealed that access control measures and secure storage were the most commonly used practices for protecting vital records, whereas digitization was minimally practiced. The study further found that poor storage facilities, inadequate funding, lack of trained staff, and limited ICT infrastructure were the major challenges affecting vital records protection. The findings revealed that respondents perceived a strong relationship between vital records protection and organizational performance, particularly in ensuring business continuity, supporting decision-making, and enhancing accountability. The study concludes that strengthening vital records protection through improved storage facilities, digitization, staff training, and enhanced ICT infrastructure is essential for improving organizational performance in public offices. It recommended that the Council and similar public offices invest in improved storage facilities, accelerate digitization of vital records, and train staff in records management, Keywords: vital records, records protection, organizational performance, public offices, Bagamoyo District Council.

Type

Other

Language

English

Peer review

Not peer-reviewed

Licence

All rights reserved