CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Background to the Study
For decades, rapid changes have been taking place in all facets of human life, including office technologies, as a result of technological advancement (Davenport, 2013). Margaret and Pac (2009) state that for an office to run smoothly, facts and accurate information are necessary for quick decision-making, and modern office technologies can help managers be focused and in contact with their co-workers. It can, therefore,
be said that having advanced office technologies can increase a manager’s work performance, because such technologies make work flexible. According to Ndlovu (2009), businesses need to be managed effectively so that they have highly productive employees executing goals aligned with the organization’s strategic objectives. Office technologies play a part in helping businesses meet these strategic objectives. Modern technologies need to be managed efficiently and effectively, because during their use, a business’s most important information can easily be lost.Modern business office is rapidly changing as a result of office technology, which has brought about new methods in carrying out functions performed by workforces, including the secretaries, in organisations (Akpomi and Ordu, 2009). Every office in today’s business world, be it government, industry or other human endeavors, require facts and accurate information for quick decision-making. Technology has affected society and its surroundings in a number of ways. In many societies, technology has helped develop more advanced economies (including today’s global economy).
Efficiency avoids mistakes and likes to take repeated steps to achieve a goal. Efficiency is desirable characteristics in business. Implementations of technologies influences the value of a society and news technology often rises new ethical questions examples include the rise of efficiency approved to machines and the challenge of traditional norms, Webster (2007). Information and communications technology (ICT) ensures continuous interaction between managers and their subordinates (Davenport, 2013). Technology is the key in improving performance in an organization. Kleis et al. (2012) state that prior research concerning information technology (IT) business value has established a link between business IT investment and tangible returns such as output productivity. The study further suggests that IT is vital to intermediate processes such as those that produce intangible output. Among these, the use of IT in innovation and knowledge creation processes is, perhaps, the most critical to a firm’s long-term success.
A study conducted by Azih (2013) emphasizes the need for building secretaries’ capacity in modern office technology. He mentioned that secretaries should be abreast of the importance and use of modern office technology, and recommended the need for training program to be organized periodically for secretaries to update their knowledge on modern office skills, and institutions training secretaries must include in their curriculum these modern office technology skills for program relevance. Azih (2013) also showed that training is important in complementing the use of modern office technology. He mentioned that secretaries and managers perform various office duties in their organization, and their ability to apply some of these modern office technologies leads to efficiency in the performance of their assigned roles. The necessary office technology equipment should be provided in every organization, and training and retraining program should be organized for secretaries in every organization for occupational relevance. In businesses, an effective way to improve productivity is to raise the level of technology.
Management support plays a vital role, managers are the key in ensuring that technology is used to benefit the business. Kao et al. (1996) mentioned that technology is more beneficial when supported by good management systems, and that technology has a limited contribution to productivity. Business managers play a critical role in planning, controlling, coordinating and leading their employees in businesses, to ensure that the right technologies are brought into the organization. There is no doubt, therefore that technology have revolutionized every aspect of business organization and exerted enormous’ impact on the efficient management of business organization. Introduction of new technologies came with innovation and improvement which have expended the office sector jobs that were manually done are now done faster and less costs, as well as the possibility of documental the job.
Nwosu (2003) said that this innovations demand new skills attitudes and development of new professional and intellectual concepts to an extent in today’s business world every office require facts and accurate information for quick decision making (Akpon and Ordu, 2009).
Business organization is an entity aimed at carrying on commercial enterprise by providing goods and services to meet needs of the customers, the skill level and functioning of the traditional office works, like the secretaries, involve greater physical and mental ability. The use of the computer and software programmers has lessened the onerous task for the modern office personnel. These range from production, storage and retrieve of information to the use of machines such as printer, fax, pen drive, cell phone, photocopier, telex and internet with the improvement in technology and recent development in office. It is envisaged that the work of managing business organizations in an efficient and sustainable manner will be easier.
The emergence of secretaries into Nigeria’s economic development can be traced to the colonial days, when the British colonial administration saw the need to have Nigerians to serve them in different lower capacities as typist, messenger, court Clarks, interpreters etc to make their idea a reality, they introduced into Nigeria educational curriculum some subject include typewriting, shorthand secretarial duties among others. Ejeka, (2006) noted that a secretary is an assistant to an executive who possesses office skills and ability to assume responsibility without direct supervision. He/she displays initiative judgment and takes decision within the scope of his/her authority. The work of a secretary is very essential in a business organization. As opined by Mummum and Sam, (2014), for an office secretary to be abreast with the changing times, face the challenges and overcome the old way of doing thing. He or she need straining requirement in recent times to help meet organizational objectives information technology have Affected many professions in recent times. The role of secretary professions have been turned around buy technology it has provided the tools that short the role of secretary from that of information recorders to business strategies Adedoyin (2010), Appah and Emeh, (2011) and Ola (2007) several other authors are of the view that secretary has to be with equipped to meet the present challenges to a modern office. There are conclusions by experts in the secretarial professions that they need to be a change that will reshape the office. Boladele (2002), Onifed (2009), Igbinedion (2010).
Statement of the Problem
Technology has brought a lot of changes in the globe today and one of the major problems facing business today is the increasing cost of securing required modern office technology that could help in the effectively and efficiency in business.
Their introduction have made management records very effective for example, records can be stored without much efforts unlike the day when records are in paper (files) can be easily be damaged. It therefore, geared towards finding out the machines and equipping (technology) available in business administration in Imo State.
Most business concerns in developing countries of the world still employ the traditional method, tools and equipments in the office management. They are yet to adopt and make tall use of the numerous modern office technologies available in the world today. In Imo State especially the secretaries are still using the traditional method in discharging their office duties even though some of the offices concerned have installed some of the modern office gadget.
Managing time and other resources are another problem in the business. Time and management are the boundaries and directly affect the scope of businesses, and the quality of their products and services (Huns 2005. Office technologies help to make things possible, given limited time and resources.
Technological gadgets are there to help businesses to save time and resources. For example, smartphones and tablets can help managers to save time because they can be used to send and receive emails at any time without having to be in an office at a PC (Schwalbe, 2013). Again, financing modern technology is another challenge. New technology-based firms face particular challenges in obtaining early-stage financing to develop and grow their business.
Purpose of the Study
The purpose of this study id to investigate into the impact of office technology on the efficient management of business organization in Imo State using coco-cola bottling company (plc) Owerri as the case study. Specifically the study will seek to;
1. Determine the impact of cell phone usage towards effective management of business organization.
2. Determine the impact of computer usage in the enhancement of productivity in an organization.
3. Find out the important of office technologies towards efficient management of business organization
Significance of the Study
This research will be of great benefit of the following business organizations, secretaries, curriculum planner and researchers.
Business Organization: The findings from this study will be useful to business organizations which are yet to appreciate the positive impact which modern office technology make in achieving organizational goal such benefit include increase in speed of service, work execution and greater profit/ income generation resulting from the use of office technologies and its efficiencies.
To the Secretaries: A office secretaries knowledge about the existence and functions of the office technological tools and equipments, which make work easier, faster, better and more professional will be updated and enhanced. The literature generated from the study will be useful to curriculum planners in that they will appreciate the existence and usefulness of the modern office technologies and consequently have them embedded into the curriculum of studies.
To Researchers: This study will be of great benefit to the further researchers like student, lecturers e.t.c. they will use the information contained in the study as date for future researchers in related topics. Besides, they result from the study will hopefully had to knowledge enhancement in the academic world.
Research Questions
The study was guided by the following research questions based on the purpose.
1. What is the impact of phone usage towards efficient management of business organization?
2. To what extent does computer usage enhance productivity in an organization?
3. What are the important of office technologies towards efficient management of business organization?
Scope of the Study
The scope of the study will cover the impact of office technology in the efficient management of business organization in Imo State using coca-cola bottling company, Owerri as the study. The study was limited to only senior staff and junior staff of five selected unit in coca-cola bottling company (PLC) Owerri west
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