THE EFFECT OF MODERN COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT ON JOB PERFORMANCE OF AN OFFICE SECRETARY IN AN ORGANIZATION
- Project Research
- 1-5 Chapters
- Quantitative
- Chi-Square
- Abstract : Available
- Table of Content: Available
- Reference Style: APA
- Recommended for : Student Researchers
- NGN 5000
Background Of The Study
Globally, every office in today's corporate climate, whether government or private, relies on facts and correct information sent through proper communication channels for swift decision-making. The office worker, including the secretary, expects certain support from the organization that he/she is employed. This support can be technological (machines and equipment) and human. In the past, managerȂs dictated memos and letters and secretaries typed them in various offices. Most recently, institutions have developed word processing centers and relied on personal computers and even electronic mail in an effort to lessen the need for secretarial support and make the secretary very productive (Ezoem, 1995; Osuala, 2004). The type of machines and gadgets that were used to produce, duplicate and store information has undergone a great transformation to cope with the growing world technology, as a result, the role of secretaries in the business set up has changed tremendously from that of typewriting, shorthand dictation, answering of telephone calls and processing of mails to the usage of computers and other modern gadgets (Mumuni& Sam 2014). To buttress further, Onu & Amadi (2020) opined that secretaries are exposed to office technology including the internet that make work much easier and knowledge more accessible as well as easy sending of messages by telex, electronic mails (e-mails), fax and telephones. Other office gadgets available to the secretary and managers are photo-copy machines, duplicating machines, dictating machines, printers, among others which secretaries utilize to ease their jobs and enhance proficiency and productivity.
According to Oku (2021), organizations must be managed successfully in order to have highly productive staff executing goals linked with the organization's strategic objectives, which cannot be achieved without current communication tools. The Oxford English Dictionary, published in London, UK, describes contemporary communication technology as the use of cutting-edge techniques and equipment, as well as the application of scientific knowledge for practical goals. Modern technologies, on the other hand, must be controlled correctly because the most vital information in a corporation might simply be lost when using them. To support this, Mumuni & Sam (2017) claim that for an office to function well, contemporary office technology may assist managers and secretaries stay engaged and in touch with their staff. Furthermore, the pair believes that having sophisticated office technology might improve a manager's job performance because such technologies make work more flexible. Similarly, Adu & Olatundun (2019) stated that information and communications technology (ICT) is the key to boosting organizational performance and ensuring constant engagement between managers and their subordinates. Onu et’al (2020), further asserts that with automation, the managers and secretaries now spends less time editing, reviewing, proof-reading, and reproducing papers required for meetings and decision-making with the board of directors. In the opinion of Oteng & Seidu (2016), current office communication equipment allow words, phrases, and paragraphs to be modified using a word processor. Thus modern office communication equipment allows for a wide range of editing choices, such as removing and inserting text before printing the document.office automation establishes a separate career path for the manager and places him/her prominently in the organizational hierarchy. According to Dharmadhikari et’al in today's competitive environment, business managers must understand the importance of aligning products, markets, and communication technology with strategic plans, while also focusing efficiently on choosing the right communication technologies that will result in the company's path-breaking growth. Dharmadhikari et’al (2015) averred further that communication equipment alignment with a company's business plan is critical to the company's long-term success.
1.2 Statement Of The Problem
In recent times, the usage of modern communication equipment has resulted in the development of new skills and career prospects in private organization even as it has created several challenges for unprepared office managers towards the office management technology profession. Some office managers are now unable to utilize and harness these innovative office electronic devices and other sophisticated communication equipment towards job efficiency. Mumuni et’al (2017) in their research ascertained that many employees in the office management technology profession were ranked so poor in their competence to use such equipment. Although their expertise and administrative skills were valued, but these office management technology professionals could only demonstrate a hazy understanding of the mechanisms of copiers,fax duplicating machines and communication devices like mailing, intercom and LAN. Furthermore, most managers have challenges in their workplaces due to a lack of seasoned technology savvy literacy required to run these equipment in organization
According to Oteng & Seidu (2016) regardless of the benefits of using modern communication equipment, technologies must be managed; otherwise, users may use them for purposes that do not benefit the organization. Therefore modern communication equipment manager is required by managers to show user staff what they are expected to use technology for, how to use it, and to monitor the effectiveness of technology in relation to business productivity. As opined by Mashau & Andrisha (2016), the complex task of managers in managing modern communication equipment entails the integrated planning, design, optimization, operation, and control of technological products, processes, and services, and this process of managing technology in organizations is becoming more complex as it grows in importance. Oku (2021) established that the primary responsibility of managers in the early years was to handle bringing personnel to work, keeping the organization functioning, and lowering the cost of doing business. However, as contemporary technology improved with the introduction of communication equipment, the primary goal became to manage the organization's information and communication resources, specifically to assist management decision making by delivering information when and where it was required. Thus, while the introduction of automation in the office and information management profession appears to be a blessing to managers of various organizations, managers who have not updated their skills on how to use these equipment appear to be fearful that these inventions will expose their incompetence, resulting in non-productivity.
Although there a handful of studies regarding the impact of modern office technology on organizational performance while other focused on it effect on secretaries, recently only few studies have been focused on the effect of modern communication equipment of an office manager. Against this backdrop the researcher will investigate the effect of modern communication equipment on job performance of an office secretary/manager in an organization with reference to selected private organization in Lagos State.
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