Records professionals: an invisible profession in Malaysia

Abstract

Purpose

This study seeks to examine the existence of records professionals and their role in Malaysian organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

The study compares case studies done in six government‐controlled companies. Interviews were conducted with the persons handling the records and information (including records in electronic environment) in the organizations. The interviews were then transcribed and analyzed manually to obtain the comparative data from each case.

Findings

The findings indicate that there are no “real” records professionals in Malaysian organizations. The responsibility and accountability of documenting and managing the organizations' records are dispersed and decentralized. Records managers as a profession are not established within the Malaysian organization structures. Generally there is no specific position of “records manager” in Malaysian organizations. However, the “archivists” are confined at the National Archives and there are no such positions at any of the case organizations studied.

Research limitations/implications

The study selected six of the government‐controlled companies.

Practical implications

Findings and discovery of the study are significant in confirming that Malaysian organizations (both public and private) are taking their records management responsibilities very unconscientiously with little understanding and support from the top management. They have yet to realize the risk their organizations are facing for non‐compliance to records management standards and practices.

Originality/value

The study confirms the non‐existence of the records professional's position in the formal structures of Malaysian organizations. Though their roles and responsibilities are vital in the management and protection of records to support the business delivery of the organizations, their functions are carried out without due recognition to the profession.

Citation

Ismail, A. and Jamaludin, A. (2011), "Records professionals: an invisible profession in Malaysia", Records Management Journal, Vol. 21 No. 1, pp. 69-75. https://doi.org/10.1108/09565691111125116