RECORDS MANAGEMENT AS AN INFORMATION MANAGEMENT DISCIPLINE - A CASE-STUDY FROM SMITHKLINE-BEECHAM-PHARMACEUTICALS

This paper discusses records management within the context of information management as a whole. It begins with some definitions of records management, indicating how the adoption of a more active a more active approach to the management of records can position it as an information management discipline. This concept is then developed by describing the strategic part which records management can play in an organization; how the skills and professional qualifications of records managers have evolved and need to continue to do so to meet this challenging role; and indeed how records managers can apply their emerging skills to add value to the organization's strategic development. SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals' Research and Development Document Management Department is described, together with case studies from other organizations, to illustrate these discussions.