CHAPTER
ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1
BACKGROUND
OF THE STUDY
Today’s office
business, professional or Government is in a state of change. This change is
reflected in the office structure and office positions from entry level to
Executive Office Manager Level. Hence attention is now given to what the office
does and the way in which office activities can be accomplished in an efficient
and an effective way an office manager is responsible
for the smooth operation of the day-to-day business of the company, a good
office manager makes it possible for other people to function efficiently.
Office managers work closely with the company partners, owner, or president to
meet their company’s staffing, equipment, and organizational needs. Duties may
include pricing products from vendors, interviewing job applicants, managing payroll,
and reimbursing members of the firm for out-of-pocket business expenses,
and so the need for information technology had to come into play as information
technology has replaced the traditional equipment used by an office manager to
perform his tasks.
Montgomerie
(2004), defines information technology as the handling of vocal, pictorial,
textual and numerical Information by means of micro-electronic based equipment
in computing and telecommunication. This clearly brings about the advantages of
information delivery through technological means, since almost all aspects of
office work can adequately be taken care of.
Aronu (2000)
defines Information Technology as the combination of two technologies,
computing and the main purpose of which is to transmit representation of
information signals between remote locations.
1.2
STATEMENT
OF THE PROBLEM
Office Managers
in banking sectors in Nigeria are scared of losing their jobs due to the advent
of information technology. Never the less, Information technology when properly
implemented in an organization will bring about productivity and easy flow of
information, effective production delivery services to customers.
Unfortunately,
it appears that the introduction of information technology seems to pose some
problem to office managers.
Office Managers
in banking sector in Nigeria, seems to be scared of losing their jobs because
some of them are inexperienced in the use of modern gadgets such as facsimile
Transfer (FAX), video conferencing. As a result of this it has created fear and
instability in the office managers as it seems as if most of them are looking
for alternative jobs.
The introduction
of technology in the banking sectors in Nigeria would bring about improved
performance, but it appears to be at a very high cost-that is the cost of
maintenance of equipment and services.
1.3
OBJECTIVES
OF THE STUDY
The aim of the
study is to find the effect of Information Technology on the performance of the
office Manager. The specific objectives of the study are to:-
1. To establish the contributions of
Information Technology towards efficient performance of the office manager.
2. To determine the causes of non adaptation
of Information Technology in the banking sectors by office managers.
3.
To determine the implications of poor
Information Technology applications among office managers in the banking
sector.
4.
To identify ways necessary to
address issues of Information Technology among office managers in the banking
sector.
1.4 RESEARCH
QUESTION
1. What is the contribution of Information
Technology to the performance of the managers in the banking sector?
2.
What factors affect the non
adaptation of Information Technology among office managers in the banking
sector?
3.
What is the implication of non-
application of Information Technology in banking sector?
4.
What strategies are necessary for
addressing issues of Information Technology among office managers in the
banking sector?
1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
1. Organization:
The study will help treat and improve some existing theories on Information as
they apply to organizations as well as the office professionals in the areas of human resources management.
It has also become a vital and integral part of every business plan .It will
also help organization to improve the way they design and manage customer
relationships.
2. Further
Research: It is also hoped that the findings of this study
will contribute to the existing knowledge and information in the area of
research.
3. Office
Practitioners: The significance of this research work
is immeasurable both to the practitioners, office professionals, chief
executives, personnel managers, the management of the organizations and the
public at large. It is expected that the findings and recommendations of the
study will guide the area of study to consider introducing information
technology for their office professional efficiency and other human resources
departments for effective administration of personnel matters.
4. Students:
The study will be useful to student who may wish to write or make some research
on a similar topic using this as a point of reference and to reorient them
towards their profession, future research or practical endeavors
1.6 SCOPE
OF THE STUDY
The study covers
some aspects of information Technology on the performance of the office
managers, which include the need for the contribution of IT, factors affecting
the adaptation of Information Technology, implication of non adaptation and
strategies necessary to address Information Technology issues in the selected
banks.
1.7 DEFINITION OF THE TERMS
1.7.1 Information:
Is a data
that has been processed and can be used per decision-making.
1.7.2 Technology: The purposeful application of information in
the design, production, and utilization of goods and services, and in the
organization of human activities.
1.7.3 Profession: paid occupation, especially one that
requires advanced education and training.
1.7.4 Equipment: tools or machinery used for specific
purposes.
1.7.5 Information Technology:
Is the useful desired form into which data is finally transformed, after
undergoing series of processes and can be used for decision making.
Technologies of computing and communication both merge together and used by
people for information needs of an organization.
1.7.6 Personnel: The body of persons employed by or activities
in an organization, business, or service.
1.7.7 Office: Can be a place where information are on
paper converges and information is documented, preserved and used for current
and future operations or business.
1.7.8 Administrator/Office
Manager: Is a person or somebody who is tasked with the responsibility or
directing and controlling the work and staff of a business or department within
it.