Advancing digital archival practices in Oman: challenges, opportunities, and prospects for the future

Abstract

Digital preservation is widely recognized as a critical necessity for organizations worldwide. Archival professionals consider it a pressing issue, recognizing its central role in contemporary information management practices. This study aims to illuminate the challenges and opportunities in this field, specifically focusing on the accessibility and preservation of institutional archives in the Sultanate of Oman. Utilizing a mixed-methods research design, it includes an extensive review of relevant literature and semi-structured interviews with administrative personnel from various public organizations in Oman. A purposive sampling strategy was employed to select 10 individuals, each possessing the required expertise and experience in this field, from different government agencies to participate in these interviews. The findings indicate that professionals in Omani institutions highly value digital preservation, citing reasons such as enhanced document accessibility, improved organizational efficiency and security, and compliance with national archival regulations. Despite this, the methods used for digital preservation vary across institutions. The study identifies several obstacles, including threats to digital security, the complexity of managing vast amounts of data, the rapid outdatedness of technology, and challenges related to human resource management.

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