Gestão arquivística nas universidades públicas federais: ilusão ou realidade?

Abstract

This research aimed to identify how archival management is being implemented in Brazilian federal public universities. Theoretical Framework: The study is situated within the research line Public Administration and Organizations and contributes to this field by broadening the understanding of management practices in public institutions, considering structural, technical, regulatory, and technological aspects. Methodology: The research is applied in nature, predominantly descriptive, with an exploratory component and a qualitative and quantitative approach, and was conducted through bibliographic research, documentary research, and an institutional survey. All 69 federal public universities included in the research universe were consulted and included in the final analytical dataset. Closed-ended responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics, while open-ended and supplementary responses were examined through content analysis. Results: Based on the information provided by the institutions, the results indicate a heterogeneous scenario with different levels of development. Relatively greater consolidation was identified in organizational structures, specialized professionals, and traditional records classification and retention instruments, whereas institutional policies, infrastructure, and aspects related to preservation, digitization, and records management in digital environments showed lower levels of consolidation. The most frequently reported difficulties were insufficient qualified human resources and limited financial resources. Originality and Relevance: within the scope adopted in this study, its distinctive contribution and relevance derive from the nationwide coverage of the institutional survey and the integrated analysis of different dimensions of archival management. Practical contributions (impacts): The research results supported the development of two Technical and Technological Products, one in document format and the other in digital format, aimed at supporting the assessment, planning, and improvement of archival management. The impacts of the research are considered potential, with possible contributions in the scientific field by expanding knowledge about archival management in universities; in the organizational and practical fields by supporting institutional assessment and planning; in the societal field by potentially fostering access to, preservation of, and transparency regarding public information; and in the public policy field by providing elements that may support actions and guidelines related to records management.