Editorial

Citation

McLeod, J. (2009), "Editorial", Records Management Journal, Vol. 19 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/rmj.2009.28119caa.001

Editorial

Article Type: Editorial From: Records Management Journal, Volume 19, Issue 3

My editorial for this year’s themed issue of the Records Management Journal is brief because there is a guest editorial. Alistair Tough, a member of the Journal’s Editorial Advisory Board, kindly provides it. Given the theme is African and Asian perspectives on managing records, Alistair’s long-time association with records management in Africa places him in an excellent position to provide an editorial. In fact Alistair wrote it while on secondment to Chancellor College, Malawi, where he is as I write.

While Alistair explains how the contributions are relevant to records management professionals outside of these geographic areas, I thought it might be useful to explain how this issue came into being. When we first launched the concept of an annual themed issue in 1995 we actually described it as an “international issue” – a reflection of the nascent global status of the RMJ readership and the nascent global networks of our profession at the time. The concept was to choose a particular topic and invite contributions from people across the world actively working in that topic area. The first themed issue provided an overview of records management practice generally in the global context. Since then we have covered topics as varied as electronic records management (twice), electronic document and records management systems (EDRMS), research (twice), records management models; we have also focused on different sectors including the voluntary and private sectors, and last year’s theme focused on a single organisation – the European Central Bank. We have never focused on a geographic area – either a country or continent – perhaps precisely because of the initial concept of an international issue. However, in the last year we have received a number of contributions from professionals based in Africa and Malaysia and so the Editorial Advisory Board decided to bring them together for our themed issue – international records management in context. We hope this not only provides a particular geographic and cultural perspective but it will also prompt further research both within and outside the region.

In addition to the articles, opinion piece and guest editorial, this issue includes some reviews of new books. They are an eclectic mix, once more reflecting the wide range of topics of potential relevance to us, some written by new contributors to the journal. They include a history of archival theory, the impact of freedom of information and open access on the content of archives, and leadership as well as story telling. And, for the very first time, people participating in a research project produced one of the reviews collaboratively, using a Wiki and e-mail discussions – particularly appropriate given the book is about exploiting blogging and other social media technologies while protecting the enterprise. It would be excellent to receive offers to review other new resources collaboratively.

In closing I want to highlight two exciting landmarks for the Records Management Journal. First, at the end of June 2009 we moved to an online submission process using ScholarOne Manuscripts. Since then anyone wishing to submit an article or review for consideration must do so online. Details can be found at http://info.emeraldinsight.com/products/journals/authorguidelines.htm?id=rmj. And second, since this is the last issue of Volume 19, 2010 will mark the journal’s twentieth anniversary – a significant achievement. We have a number of plans for “special features” and contributions including reflections on what has been published as well as what the future holds. If you would like to be part of what promises to be an exciting year for the journal then please do contact us with your contributions.

Julie McLeodNorthumbria University, Newcastle, UK