PhD Theses

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Browsing PhD Theses by Subject "Ethics"

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    Ethical practices of records managers in Tanzania’s government ministries
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2017) Tweve, Julius Tunsaje
    The overall objective of this study was to investigate ethical practices of records managers in Tanzania's government ministries. Specifically, the study examined how the code of ethics is being applied in records management in Tanzania's government ministries~ determine the extent to which Records Managers adhere to ethical practices in Tanzania's government ministries; and explore the challenges Records Managers face in their attempts to adhere to ethical practices in Tanzania's government. The study adopted the Deontological theory and educators' conceptual model to undertake the study. To achieve the set objectives, the study used a mixed-methods research design to collect requisite data, which allowed it to collect both qualitative and quantitative data. The study population consisted of records managers, information and/or registry users and human resources officers. Whereas quantitative data were analysed using Statistical Product and Service Solution (SPSS) version 20, qualitative data were subjected to content analysis. With regard to the first objective, the study established how records managers are guided, accessibility to the code of ethics in place, the available legislation and regulations to guide records managers, success of the code of ethics enforcement, and records managers' compliance with ethical practices. In connection with the second objective, the study discusses issues of records managers' adherence to ethical practices, ethical factors for adherence to ethical practices and the impact of not adherence to ethical practices. The study found that records managers in some extend comply with ethical practices but it was not established whether the code of ethics in place has an influence on this outcome. AIso the study came up with the impact of not adhering to ethical practices such as increase of corruption and bribe, lack of transparency, reduce accountability, lack of timely promotion, poor decision making to mention a few. Finally, with regard to the third objective of the study established a number of ethical challenges records managers face in information services provision. Some of the challenges are lack of code of ethics for records managers, unauthorised access to records, inadequate of integrity, and lack of impartiality. In addition, the study has also presented strategies or mechanisms that can be used to enforce records managers' adherence to ethical practices. The mechanisms are based on two main areas namely the need for further training and introduce code of ethics for records managers. Based on the research findings the study concludes that information ethics is a critical factor not only for fostering quality decision-making, planning and making of informed choices but also for getting rid of records management malpractices currently dogging the public sector. Moreover, timely access to code of ethics among professionals contributes to work ethically. As general code of ethics for public servants in Tanzania's public service has some shortcomings, it is recommended that a more viable code of ethics be introduced to plug loopholes in addition to increasing the education for records managers to foster ethical practices in records management practices.