Purpose -This paper aims to discuss the disconnection between the recognized centrality of the functional approach to records management and archives and the actual understanding of functions that scholars, practitioners, and records creators seem to have. It suggests that records professionals should consider functions not in the abstract but in the specific socio-cultural contexts in which they are enacted. Design/methodology/approach -After analyzing the main theoretical and methodological issues concerning the concept of function and the application of the functional approach, the paper reports some findings of an empirical study of function-based records classification systems conducted by the author in four different organizations in Europe and North America. Findings -The multiple-case study research confirmed that the meaning of both function and classification are subject to various interpretations, that a number of non-functional factors are involved in the creation of function-based tools, and that records professionals find available explanations of functional methods confusing. The findings also indicate that there is a relationship between organizational cultures and the ways in which business and records processes are perceived and translated into practice. Research limitations/implications -This study provides a number of suggestions that may be used to improve the analysis of functions and business processes for any records management purposes. In particular, it discusses some of the non-functional and cultural factors that influence the design and implementation of function-based records classification systems. However, more empirical research is needed in order to broaden our understanding of functions in real-world organizations. Originality/value -Based on a broad selection of professional literature on the functional approach, this paper presents the original findings of an empirical study that uses qualitative methods to analyze and interpret the data collected. It is hoped that it will inspire more exploratory research of this kind in the records management area.

Recordkeeping Cultures explores how an understanding of organisational information culture provides the insight necessary for the development and promotion of sound recordkeeping practices. The book is a fully revised and expanded new edition of the authors' 2014 book Records Management and Information Culture: Tackling the people problem. It details an innovative framework for analysing and assessing information culture, and indicates how to use this knowledge to change behaviour and develop recordkeeping practices that are aligned with the specific characteristics of any workplace. This framework addresses the widely recognised problem of improving organisation-wide compliance with a records management programme by tackling the different aspects that make up the organisation's information culture. Discussion of topics at each level of the framework includes strategies and guidelines for assessment, followed by suggestions for next steps: appropriate actions and strategies to influence behavioural change. This new edition has been fully revised and update to greatly enhance the practical application of the information culture concept in both formal and informal recordkeeping environments and contains new chapters on:diagnostic features: genres, workarounds and infrastructure workplace collaboration: how to analyse collaborative practices in organisations (including recordkeeping) education: how to teach information culture concepts and methods in archives and records management graduate programmes. Archivists, records managers and information technology specialists will find this an invaluable guide to improving their practice and solving the 'people problem' of non-compliance with records management programmes. LIS students taking archives and records management modules will also benefit from the application of theory into practice. Records management and information management educators will find the ideas and approaches discussed in this book useful to add an information culture perspective to their curricula.

Current records management methodologies and practices suffer from an inadequate understanding of the 'human activity systems' where records managers operate as 'mediators' between a number of complex and interacting factors. Although the records management and archival literature recognizes that managing the active life of the records is fundamental to their survival as meaningful evidence of activities, the context where the records are made, captured, used, and selectively retained is not explored in depth. In particular, the various standards, models, and functional requirement lists, which occupy a vast portion of that literature, especially in relation to electronic records, do not seem to be capable of framing recordsrelated 'problems' in ways that account for their dynamic and multiform nature. This paper introduces the idea that alternative, 'softer' approaches to the analysis of organizational functions, structures, agents, and artifacts may usefully complement the 'hard', engineering-like approaches typically drawn on by information and records specialists. Three interrelated theoretical and methodological frameworksnamely, Soft Systems Methodology, Adaptive Structuration Theory, and Genre Theory-are discussed, with the purpose of highlighting their contributions to our understanding of the records context.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to report on the application of information culture analysis techniques in the workplace. The paper suggests that records managers should use ethnographic sensitivity, if they want to have a constructive dialogue with records creators and users, and effect positive change in their organisations. Design/methodology/approach Two pilot studies were conducted in university settings for the purpose of testing an information culture assessment toolkit. The university records managers who carried out the investigation approached the fieldwork ethnographically, in the sense that they were interested in the perspectives of their end users, and tried to understand their information cultures, rather than imposing their recordkeeping concepts and procedures. Findings Information culture analysis was of practical utility in large complex organisations, providing an insight into behaviours, motivations, and most importantly promoted reflection and dialogue among organisational actors. Originality/value The paper raises awareness of the diversity of professional skills and knowledge required by records practitioners. It emphasises that to remain relevant to their organisations, records managers have to be receptive and sensitive to cultural influences.

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