RECORDS MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES AND ACCOUNTABILITY OF TABLE WATER BUSINESSES IN AKWA IBOM STATE: IMPLICATIONS FOR BUSINESS EDUCATION CURRICULUM

Abstract

The main purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which records management strategies influence accountability of the table water business in Akwa Ibom State. Two research questions and two null hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. The descriptive survey research design was used for the study. The population of this study is 135, comprising all the 90 male and 45 female staff in the 15 registered table water businesses in Akwa Ibom State. The entire population was studied because of its size and manageability. A researcher-developed instrument titled ‘Records Management Strategies and Accountability of Table Water Business Questionnaire (RMSATWBQ) was used for data collection. Cronbach's Alpha statistical method was suitable to calculate the internal consistency of the instrument on a rating scale, which yielded a reliability index of 0.81. Simple linear regression was used to answer the research questions, while related t-test was used to test the null hypotheses at .05 level of significance. Findings of the study show that record creation and disposal have a positive influence on accountability of table water business in Akwa Ibom State. It also shows that the extent to which record creation influence accountability of table water business in Akwa Ibom State was significant, while the extent to which record disposal influences accountability of table water business in Akwa Ibom State is not significant. It is concluded that if proper records management strategies are adopted in table water business in Akwa Ibom State, it will significantly help in efficient management of resources, effectiveness in the operation of table water business, maximization of profit, reliable financial reporting, safeguarding of assets, reduction in inventory shrinkage, reduction in operational cost, easy detection of fraud, as well as ensuring niche in the market share and low environmental pollution. It is therefore recommended among others that managers of table water businesses in Akwa Ibom State should ensure that sales daybook, purchase daybook, invoice, account receivables record and account payable records are created immediately transaction is carried out to ensure accountability of table water businesses in Akwa Ibom State.