Project Materials

THE DEARTH OF TECHNOLOGICAL EQUIPMENT AND THE EFFECT ON SECRETARIAL PERFORMANCE

CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the study

The workplace is only one area where rapid change has been occurring for decades. This is because technology has progressed. Quick decision-making in today’s business environment need facts and correct information in all offices, whether they be in government, industry, or any other human endeavour. Everyone who works in an office, even the secretary, has specific expectations of the company they work for. Both human and technology means of assistance are acceptable. Secretaries used to type up memos and letters dictated by managers in the past. Efforts to reduce secretarial assistance and increase staff productivity have led to the development of word processing centres, personal computers, and electronic mail in recent years (Ezoem, 1995; Osuala, 2004).

The traditional functions of secretaries in corporate settings, such as transcribing spoken instructions into text, answering phones, and processing mail, have undergone significant transformations due to technological advancements. The internet and other forms of modern office technology have greatly improved the efficiency and accessibility of secretarial tasks and information (Edwin, 2008). Telex, e-mail, fax, and phone communications are now more convenient than ever. Photocopiers, duplicators, dictation machines, printers, and a host of other office devices are at the secretary’s disposal. Nowadays, more and more things are becoming easier to do thanks to advancements in computer and information technology. Word processors, databases, and spreadsheet programs are the three most common kinds of office software (Dulek and Fielden, 1999). Word processors allow users to create and edit documents like memos, letters, and reports, while databases and data management software make it easy for users to work with large datasets.

Modern secretaries have access to a plethora of high-tech office tools that streamline their work, increase their efficiency and output, and ultimately benefit people all over the world (Wofersohn, 2001). A variety of modern office machinery and tools have made it possible for secretaries to work more efficiently. One example of a modern machine is the electronic typewriter, which has mostly supplanted the manual kind. These days, most companies provide their employees with computers, word processors with military-grade capabilities, and other high-tech office machinery. Electronic pocket organisers and computer communication devices are examples of the tangible tools employed by secretaries (Lucas, 1997). Modern technology tools like as computers, e-commerce, voice mail, and the Internet have revolutionised the way offices operate.

On the other hand, being a professional secretary isn’t enough to keep up with the changes brought about by technological obstacles. Modern training requirements have emerged to assist secretaries in keeping up with the trends, overcoming obstacles, and achieving organisational goals. Numerous occupations have been impacted by IT in recent times. Because of technological advancements, secretarial jobs have become obsolete. It has given secretaries the means to go beyond data entry and into the position of company strategist (Appah and Emeh, 2011). A number of other writers have argued that in today’s offices, the secretary needs specialised training to handle the many demands of the job.

Among the most important government agencies in Nigeria is the Ministry of Education. The overarching objective of the Ministry is to ensure that all Nigerians, particularly those at a disadvantage, have access to high-quality education that is both relevant and affordable. This will allow them to gain the skills they need to become economically and socially independent, thereby reducing poverty and accelerating the country’s economic growth. Quite a few secretaries have been hired by the ministry to handle administrative tasks so that it may accomplish its overarching goals. Within the framework of contemporary office technology, this research intends to investigate the secretaries’ degree of productivity.

1.2. Research Problem Statement

There is no question that a secretary’s job description will evolve in an automated workplace. Additional education and experience for secretaries is likely to be necessary for these expanded responsibilities. Aromolaran (2003) found the following to be the importance of automation in the corporate world:

i.) Establishing a clear route for advancement for the secretary.

ii.) The secretary now has a significant position on the organisational ladder as a result of automation.

iii.) It establishes regular duties and responsibilities for the secretary.

iv.) The secretary no longer has to spend as much time manually editing, proofreading, and duplicating papers because of automation.

A long time ago, Cameron (1982) noted that small organisations sometimes wait 10 to 15 years before installing new technology that has just been released to the market. Private commercial organisations in emerging nations find this especially unusual. Even in this day and age, secretaries are sometimes forced to utilise antiquated manual typewriters. Productivity will inevitably be poor when secretaries are not given efficient and effective tools to work with.

In addition, Duniya (2011) noted that secretaries need to acquire new skills and competencies for efficient operations in the electronic office in order to meet the challenges posed by the introduction of technologically advanced office equipment and the need to ensure accuracy and efficiency in secretarial work. The secretarial profession has been impacted by the ever-increasing speed, precision, and quality of technological advancements. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to learn more about the relationship between a lack of technical equipment and the secretarial performance in several chosen LGs in Rivers State, namely Abua/Odual LG, Ahoada West LG, Ahoada East LG, and Khana LG. Okay LG.