Mecanismos sistêmicos de processos para preservação e perpetuação de documentos em meio eletrônico: trajetórias na consrução de um modelo de implementação equilibrado entre a teoria e a prática

Abstract

The preservation and dissemination of memory have increasingly attracted the interest of various fields of knowledge, such as Philosophy, Information Science (IS), Archival Science, History, and Librarianship. However, the subject presents growing challenges, especially due to new issues associated with the production, distribution, and intensive use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the creation, maintenance, and storage of institutional documents. This thesis investigates the systemic mechanisms required to implement processes for the preservation and perpetuation of digital documents in academic institutions, focusing on the Federal University of Bahia (UFBA). The main objective of the research is to develop a model capable of integrating theory and practice, employing technological tools and modern governance practices aligned with institutional policies and demands. To conduct the study, an interdisciplinary approach was adopted, exploratory and documental in nature, with an emphasis on qualitative analysis. Data collection was carried out through questionnaires and interviews with agents linked to selected memory units at UFBA. For data analysis, content analysis practices were applied, providing a basis for proposing a model for implementing digital preservation processes based on the findings. The results reveal the current state of digital preservation practices, whether implemented or not, within organizational contexts. This led to the development of a Model for the Implementation of Digital Preservation Persistence (MIP-PD), which incorporates various systems, ranging from document producers to preservation software and dissemination environments, such as Tainacan. The model was structured to promote integration between different systems as a practical alternative to ensure the protection and reliability of UFBA’s digital collections over time. Additionally, it proposes alternatives for building implementation processes through policies, plans, and the inclusion of emerging technologies, such as Generative Artificial Intelligence, to optimize metadata management and document accessibility. It is concluded that digital memory preservation requires continuous and collaborative efforts, combining technological innovation with institutional policies, robust governance processes, and the effective participation of human resources, from senior management to the document-producing staff. Although the MIP-PD has not yet been implemented, it presents potential requirements to be replicated in other institutions and for further studies on the subject, thus contributing to institutional memory preservation and strengthening the democratization of access to information.