Role of documentation studies in the development of national archives: The experience of Central European countries

The purpose of this study was to analyse the impact of documentary practice on the construction and modernisation of the national archival system and to assess its effectiveness in preserving cultural heritage. The study examined the countries of Central Europe and the role of archival studies in the establishment and development of national archives. The methodology included a comparative analysis of archival practices in three countries of the region, namely Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary, focusing on institutional strategies, technological innovations, and archival policy. The survey was conducted from August 2023 to September 2024 and covered 250 respondents, including 32% of archives managers, 36% of archivists, and 32% of administrative staff. This study analysed the significance of archives in preserving national heritage, the effectiveness of modern technologies, and the organisation of management processes. Statistical analysis of the data showed that 78% of respondents believe that digitisation is necessary to improve the accessibility of archival materials. Furthermore, 85% of the participants confirmed the need for ethical archival management and stressed the value of adhering to ethical standards when working with documents. This study also revealed the need to integrate document research into archival practice to improve the management of archival materials. The findings demonstrated that effective digitisation strategies can greatly improve access to archival resources and facilitate research. The findings also highlighted the crucial role of archives in preserving national heritage and the need to modernise archival systems to improve records management. The study found that although Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary have distinct institutional strategies and technological innovations, all three countries aspire to improve archival policy through the introduction of modern technologies. The study confirmed that the effective implementation of innovations such as digitisation and improved management of archival resources contributes to the preservation of national heritage