This collection includes most of the ASU Theses and Dissertations from 2011 to present. ASU Theses and Dissertations are available in downloadable PDF format; however, a small percentage of items are under embargo. Information about the dissertations/theses includes degree information, committee members, an abstract, supporting data or media.
In addition to the electronic theses found in the ASU Digital Repository, ASU Theses and Dissertations can be found in the ASU Library Catalog.
Dissertations and Theses granted by Arizona State University are archived and made available through a joint effort of the ASU Graduate College and the ASU Libraries. For more information or questions about this collection contact or visit the Digital Repository ETD Library Guide or contact the ASU Graduate College at gradformat@asu.edu.
The University of Guyana (UG) is the sole state university in the Republic of Guyana whose population is approximately 804,567. UG is currently approaching its 60th anniversary having been inaugurated on October 3, 1963. Like many higher education institutional settings, globally, UG’s ecosystem has evolved tremendously over the past decades…
The University of Guyana (UG) is the sole state university in the Republic of Guyana whose population is approximately 804,567. UG is currently approaching its 60th anniversary having been inaugurated on October 3, 1963. Like many higher education institutional settings, globally, UG’s ecosystem has evolved tremendously over the past decades and is being driven by an agenda that must focus on increasing efficiency and accountability. Recent economic events have contributed to this need for advancements such as the recent discovery of large deposits of oil off the coast of Guyana that is transforming the economic landscape and has accelerated the demand for qualified personnel to support a planned diversified economy. The university is also attracting an increasing number of students from outside of Guyana. UG functions inherently as a ‘loosely coupled’ higher educational institution where subsystems are fragmented. In addition, its recordkeeping systems are defective. This study explored how a properly functioning electronic records management system (ERMS) could support the institution in adoption of change initiatives, achieving good governance, and overall system effectiveness. This study was grounded in “systems theories” and applied qualitative and quantitative methods to explore the challenges of achieving overall institutional change. Four cycles of action research were completed. In the final cycle, an ERMS was piloted. Data were collected to understand the perceptions of the administrative and academic staff on how such a system (ERMS) could support the university in terms of governance and institutional cohesion. Outcomes suggested that the academic and administrative staff tend to strongly believe that a well-coordinated and effective ERMS is essential and would provide the kind of access to institutional records necessary for supporting change initiatives, employee effectiveness, and governance and institutional cohesion. They also believe that an ERMS would help to improve the decision-making processes, build trust, provide continuity, share institutional knowledge, and ultimately help to synergize the use of policies and regulations. Outcomes indicated an ERMS would help to counteract some of the challenges that are inherent in the loosely coupled nature of UG. These findings can provide the impetus to inspire a collaborative effort for advocacy and implementation.
