The role of information architecture in the automation of records in Botswana in an e-government setting

Abstract

Purpose Government entities often implement automated records management systems, often without a clear governing framework to facilitate such automation. This study aims to explore the role played by information architecture (IA) in records automation in Botswana and propose a guiding framework in the context of e-government. Design/methodology/approach This qualitative study uses a focused literature review to study the importance of IA in records automation in e-government. Findings Without proper IA, information organization including retrieval/access to records becomes difficult. Practically, this would practically and negatively affect process automation in e-government solutions. Research limitations/implications The proposed framework can guide e-government record automation in Botswana. However, its limitation lies in the fact that it has not been tested, thereby limiting its practicality until tested empirically. Practical implications The proposed framework can be used to inform record automation management processes in the realm of Botswana’s e-government project. Originality/value The proposed framework contributes to the body of knowledge on the automation of records and e-government in Botswana specifically and Africa in general.