Recording the Common Good: Record-keeping practices in New Zealand not-for-profit organisations

Research Problem: There are no studies about records management in New Zealand not-for-profit organisations. However, records management research has established issues in archival theory. The current practice of not-for-profit organisations are unknown. The purpose of this research project is to confirm relevance of the records lifecycle and the records continuum. In addition, to establish whether the record-keeping issued by Archives New Zealand meet requirements of not-for-profit organisations. This research built on current research in records management, to identify an overview of record-keeping processes. The research contributes to the records management body of knowledge.

Methodology: Using purposive sampling and Qualtrics survey software, five hundered and eighty organisations were given an anonomyous survey link. Twitter, Facebook and Linkedin posts were utilised to engage New Zealand not-for-profit organisations. Fourty respondents involved with governance, management or admininistration completed an online survey, along with twenty incomplete responses, and three respondents that did not fulfil the screening criteria.

Results: This research project confirmed the application of the record continuum, as 82.5% of respondents digitise records. 40% of respondents do not have complete faith in their records policy. In addition, 56.4% want a record-keeping schedule developed for not-for-profit organisations.

Implications: As this research confirms and builds on records management research, no comparative research internationally addresses records management for not-for-profit organisations. This research should be developed further, applying mixed methods and observing multiple organisations to confirm needs before Archives New Zealand create targeted standards for not-for-profit organisations. In addition, the professional bodies of ARANZ and RIMPA should consider delivering education to not-for-profit organiastions, concreting engagement with community archives in the future.