Anticipating Accountabilty Processes

Abstract

This article deals with the relationship between records management and accountability. Anticipating accountability processes is presented as a key concept. Analyses of business processes and information requirements of accountability forums are presented as a basis for records management which provides for accountability. In some situations these analyses can result in explicit knowledge, in others in tacit knowledge: based on two variables (structure of business process and degree of control of accountability forums), four contingent states are described. These distinctions can form the basis for differentiated records management systems, procedures and practices which can help organisations to anticipate different sorts of accountability processes.