Abstract:
Cooperative societies in Tanzania face seemingly insurmountable challenges in transforming
their hitherto largely paper-based records into electronic formats for preservation in this digital
age, which negatively impacts on their operational efficiency. This study, therefore, aimed to
determine practices for preserving cooperatives’ records in electronic format and associated
challenges, focusing on two institutions: Wazalendo and Umoja Savings and Credit
Cooperative Societies (SACCOS) in Moshi municipality of Kilimanjaro region. The
technology acceptance model served as the theoretical framework, supplemented by insights
from archival science. The study adopted a qualitative approach and utilised face-to-face semi
structured interviews, focus group discussions and observations to collect data. The study
population consisted of 35 staff from two SACCOS whereby 23 respondents were confined to
the study through purposive and simple random sampling techniques. The resultant qualitative
data was subjected to thematic analysis. The study found that the two SACCOS under review
have yet to transform their records fully into electronic formats and face numerous challenges
in fostering preservation. The major barriers to such electronic record presentation emerged to
be dire financial constraints and a lack of skilled personnel to facilitate such a process.
Significantly, it emerged that managerial commitment to adopting new technologies positively
influenced the electronic preservation of SACCOS records. As such, SACCOS should invest
in ICT infrastructure and offer comprehensive training for staff in addition to formulating and
enforcing clearcut policies and guidelines for digital records preservation.
