Hi Fredrick,
           I think the answer lies in your question as such. Doesn't root
mean that he is the owner of all the files in that particular system anyway?
He can wreak havoc either way by ignorance or through the permissions
assigned by the operating system.

But as far as wreaking havoc on archives are concerned I am sure the ADSM
admin is the overall incharge.

The root is just another user and is limited to his own system and has a
restricted role as far as ADSM backup is concerned.

Sincere regards

Sri