This study provides a descriptive examination and traces the historical development of records management approaches, as well as their significance to the records management practice and their limitations. The study focuses on the records continuum model, developed in Australia's archival sciences field in recent years and discusses its implications for the practice of records and archival management. Prior to the emergence of the records continuum model, the life-cycle theory dominated most records management fields globally. The records continuum model responds – in ways that the life-cycle theory is unable to deal with the challenges of electronic records and proposes a new set of management thinking of the preservation of the electronic environment, in which contemporary institutions and their associated electronic records coexist. There appears to be insufficient literature on the practice of these two records management theories in the organizational context. To contribute to bridging this gap, this study analysed the major components of each records management theory and presents models of organizations built on these approaches. Therefore, the study examines the uses of the records continuum model and life-cycle theories within the broader field of archival research. The study is a literature review within a qualitative, interpretative paradigm. Relying on historical and narrative analysis, the findings established evidence of the practice of the records management theories in the organizations. The study concluded that records management practice in organizations can be enhanced, if specific factors within each records management approach are given adequate consideration in their application.

Many public sector organisations are struggling to properly manage their electronic records. The effective management of such records and their accessibility is crucial for the functioning of the public sector and provides citizens with evidence of that functioning. Recently, numerous public sector organisations have adopted newly developed technological tools to manage records, while some departments are still in the process of gradually introducing these. Electronic records are created through various information systems in government organisations but for them to be of full advantage in the realm of governance, they need to be carefully managed. Public sector organisations are positioning themselves to do just that by applying innovative mechanisms to deal with their records. An electronic records management system is expected to provide an integrated, efficient management of the records produced and stored in contemporary organisations. However, it is not a silver bullet to fix all issues, and proper management of electronic records continues to be a challenge due to a lack of sufficient skills, relevant policies, procedures, and standards, as well as a lack of knowledge in South Africa on how to utilise modern technologies to deal with the storage of public records. The present study aimed to identify challenges related to the management of electronic records in the South African public sector and to suggest strategies for resolving them. The study was based on a qualitative approach and applied the content analysis of relevant literature to identify gaps and suggest solutions. The study established that the government departments under investigation still lacked the requisite tools such as policies, standards, guidelines, adequate technological infrastructure, and that there was also a lack of sufficient funding and skills and competencies to effectively deal with electronic records. Hence, the study recommends more collaborative efforts to urgently address shortcomings to curb the continuous loss of invaluable electronic records that could ensure accountability, transparency, informed decision-making, and improved service delivery.