CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
The introduction and use of computer
cannot be over emphasized. Often time, its application has resulted in
the fast transformation of the way records are stored and utilised in
various organizations and the society in general. The growth currently
experiencing in the use of personal computer and computer networks
continues to impact businesses both large and small. The abundance and
accessibility of information available online means that virtually
anyone can start and operate a small business with just a computer and
internet connection. Computers also have an impact on how small
enterprises conduct business. This has contributed to the growth and
systemic organisation of co-operate records. The importance of computer
in record keeping can be viewed as one of the most useful modern means
of collecting, updating, controlling, recording, and storing of
information for future usage by any resourceful organization. New
technology trends have made the challenge of modernization more complex
as well. The proliferation of information, with an array of new formats
for unstructured data such like video, audio and social media
conversations and the wide dispersal of data on mobile devices and also
in the cloud have pushed records management out of the physical realm.
As the consumerisation of Information Technology services
has seeped into virtually every corner of daily life, consumers'
expectations have raised the stakes. As a result, companies are waking
up to the reality that digitizing their records is not just a
nice-to-have information governance initiative. Companies now recognize
the need to get a better handle on their information to reduce storage
costs, improve information management and accessibility and ensure the
efficient retention and destruction of information. But many organizations have struggled with digital records management, in part because of the limitations of the tools.
Enterprise content management software (ECM), the principal software
for managing records, was costly and hard to use. Once cloud-based
file-sharing companies like Box and Dropbox swept in with simpler user
interfaces, they challenged the software's hold on the market. These new
tools made it easy to share content without jumping through the hoops
of a virtual private network. At the same time, cloud-based file-sharing
services have posed privacy concerns, and most businesses still default
to ECM software for records management, which can be subject to
compliance and other security issues.
In Nigeria, it obvious that many
organizations now make use of computer for record keeping and it is in
this light we need to look at how effective and helpful the use of
computer has been to them since the adoption using Liberty Link World
Wide (a professional international freight agency which has always been
providing clients with diversified professional freight service since
year 1999) as a case study. This therefore brought about the topic; the
impacts of a computer on record keeping in an organisation.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Keeping of records or information is the
life wire of every organization regardless of type organisation.
Therefore there is need for a cheaper, faster and reliable method of
keeping records than the manual way or system which involves the use of
large volume papers, files and cabinet. The offices are heavily filled
and store rooms sometimes may not contain any more files. There is no
alternative method of record keeping for computers whose operation is
based upon impulses moving at a speed of light and reduces expenses in
keeping detailed record of personnel. It is also practicable to record
and store all information generated by any operation or discussion with a
company in one set of file which can be retrieved at any time. When
future information is stored, they are easily manipulated and retrieved
in a much easier way and large amount of information are gathered in one
place.
The fact that as much as possible
studies have not been carried out on the impacts of a computer on record
keeping in an organisation made the researcher to develop more interest
on the topic and outline how using computer in organizations in Nigeria
particularly at Liberty Link World Wide has greatly been of help.
1.3 Research Questions
The following are some of the questions which this study intends to answer:
i) what is the prevalence of the use of computer for record keeping at Liberty Link World Wide?
ii) what changes has the use of computer for record keeping brought at Liberty Link World Wide?
iii) what are the factors
that influence the use of computer for record keeping brought at Liberty
Link World Wide?
1.4 Objectives of the Study
The main objective of this study is to
investigate the impacts of computer on record keeping in an organisation
using Liberty Link World Wide as a case study. The specific objectives
are however:
i) to investigate the prevalence of the use of computer for record keeping at Liberty Link World Wide
ii) to inquire the changes that the use of computer for record keeping brought at Liberty Link World Wide
iii) to study the factors that influence the use of computer for record keeping brought at Liberty Link World Wide
1.5 Significance of the Study
The satisfactory operation and control
of any organisation lies to a great extent on the information or data
stored. Data processing for business is not an end in itself but is used
by the management to assist in achieving its objectives of providing
goods and services, makig profit fairly with employees, customers and
satisfying legal requirements regarding the keeping of records. This
could be enhanced by the introduction of computer into an organisation.
This research work studied the usefulness of computer for record keeping
in any organisation.
1.6 Scope of the Study
This study was confined to
the impacts of computer on record keeping in an organisation with a keen
focus on Liberty Link World Wide with particular reference to the
designating system. Secretary, Manager and the Accountant of the company
were interviewed and this was because they are the ones that make most
use of computer for record keeping in the organisation.
1.7 Limitation of the study
The fact that this research work impacts
of computer on record keeping in an organisation has not been fully
researched on by researchers made it a bit stressful for the researcher
and was also faced with the problem of finance as the researcher did not
have enough funds to get the required stationery for the work.
1.9 Definitions of Terms
The following terms were used in the course of this study:
Computer: an electronic
device for storing and processing data, typically in binary form,
according to instructions given to it in a variable program.
Organisation: an organized body of people with a particular purpose, especially a business, society, association, etc.
Record Keeping: the
maintenance of a history of one's activities, as financial dealings, by
entering data in ledgers or journals, putting documents in files, etc.
REFERENCES
Ahmad Umar Dewa, (2011). Impact of Computer on Record Keeping. Retrieved from
Chudi-Oji Chukwuka, (2013). Computer – Effect of its introduction into organisation in
Nigeria. Retrieved from http://www.doublegist.com on the 20th of July, 2017.
New Technologies Take on Records Management Challenges. Retrieved from