Managing electronic records across organizational boundaries: The experience of the Belgian federal government in automating investigation processes

摘要: Purpose The purpose of this paper is to critically examine the reasons behind relatively poor level implementation e-services. To end, records management procedures in a particular Belgian federal administration – Federal Public Service (FPS) Employment, Labor and Social Dialogue will be studied. Based on concrete relevant case study, authors how cross-organizational differences terms speed digital workflows can hinder development innovative By doing so, raise questions about efficacy work processes. The impact consultation exchange government among public services toward citizens examined as well. Design/methodology/approach In context an on-going four-year research project named HECTOR (Hybrid Electronic Curation, Transformation Organization Records), study conducted from interdisciplinary approach, closely combining information sciences law. Moreover, approach also has implications through integration archival principles at early stage conception hybrid (paper-based digital-based) strategies, instead confining archivists depository preservation role. This “integrated archival” highly encouraged anticipate best practices for long-term (Rousseau Couture, 1994). Furthermore, adopts bottom-up based exploratory analysis particularities within called “e-PV” led by FPS draw general conclusions that could eventually applied other services. In standardized surveys were used collect manager perspective, followed in-depth interviews with field workers. Findings The miscellaneous aforementioned are continuously decreasing budget, strongly rooted resistance change, difficult but inevitable relations between administrations, legal uncertainties arising fast-changing environment political autonomy decision-making process different entities. As consequence, substantial many administrations lead lack interoperability not only technical organizational level. local non-connected initiatives situation generated do help fostering collaboration either. absence well-established policies interpreted both cause consequence some factors mentioned before. Research limitations/implications Research carried out Belgium’s particularly complex administrative context, where competences spread shared multiple levels (national regional) domains (legislative executive). Consequently, complex. Nevertheless, observations findings deemed applicable any structure (both national international ones). Originality/value This outlines constraints almost completely implemented eGovernment initiative which may guide their own e-services, well showing them importance taking into account archiving principles. multidisciplinary represents significant added value.