CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 1.1   BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Today’s business industry environment is very dynamic and undergoes rapid changes as a result of technological innovation, increased awareness and demands from customers. The banking industry of the 21st century operates in a complex and competitive environment characterized by these changing conditions and highly unpredictable economic climate, information. In Nigeria the modern office technology is still at its infancy. According to Mankin, et al (1982) and Madon, (2000). Said that modern office technology broadens the meaning of IT and now means the same as Office technology.

As a result of changes in technology, the role of office managers in business has changed tremendously from that of typewriting and shorthand dictation, answering of telephone calls and processing of mails Harvey, and Gavigan, (1996).

Modern office technology is an innovation and a consequenceof the industrial revolution. It is a collection of methods for controlling machinery and production processes by mechanical method, usually with electronic equipment. Spencer (1981) defined automation as the process of replacing human work with work done by machines or system designed to perform a specific combination of action automatically or repeatedly. Mayer (1977) defines a secretary as an executive assistant, who possesses a mastery of office skills, demonstrates the ability to assume responsibility with or without supervision, exercises initiatives and judgment and makes decision within the scope of assigned authority.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Nigerian business organizations are faced with enormous problems. These problems, especially that of low level telephone penetration and uneven access, appear to be insurmountable. The penetration rate in Nigeria in the Twentieth Century was less than one line per 1000 population. In spite of efforts made by successive governments in Nigeria to improve on the penetration rate, the country had continued to decline as a result of fresh challenges in terms of building information and communication technology (ICT infrastructure. This has resulted in almost negative benefit, both to the economy and the society as a whole.

It is quite evident that Nigeria at present lacks innovation, capacities and capabilities in modern office technology management and hardware maintenance. This notwithstanding, the country has been and will continue to import and use a wide range of durable consumer electronics, computers and telecommunication equipments.

There is very little in terms of a systematic study on the impact of modem office technology on the office managers. Hence, the decision to examine how modern office technology has been adopted and diffused in the two sectors. In manufacturing, the emphasis is on the petroleum, pharmaceuticals, textiles, foods and beverages, and metal working sectors, since these contribute significantly to value added. The services chosen are hotel and tourism, broadcasting, aviation, transport (railways), insurance and the capital market, as significant contributors to the quality of life of the people Agboola (2001).

Issues of significant importance in Office technology, especially in the area of computerization, include:

• How modern office technology has changed the composition and structure of knowledge and employment;
• How industrial and services organizations and management have been altered by emergence of Office technology;
• How much of modern office technology is being employed in production and manufacturing services outputs, to make significant impact;
• The strategies adopted by different firms in services and manufacturing sectors to acquire modern office technology – based technologies;

1.3PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of modern technology on office managers. Other specific objectives to be accomplished include:

1. To know the importance of modern office technology on the growth of modern business organizations.
2. To know the impact of modern office technology on the office managers performance.
3. To know the problems associated with the offices’ usage of modern office technological gadgets in official duties.
4. To proffer solutions to the problems associated with the office managers’ usage of modern office technological gadgets in official duties.

1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This research is on the impact of modern office technology on the office managers’ performance. This research project will be important to scholars and students who are researching into similar topics. The study is also intended to provide yardstick for Managers, and office technologist in modern firm. Finally, this study will help students to gain understanding on the impact modern office technology on the office managers and to establish and acknowledge the general public on the impact of modern office technology on the office managers.

1.5 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The following questions shall be used in the course of this research study;

1. What is the importance of modern office technology on the growth of modernbusiness organizations?
2. What is the impact of modern office technology on the office managers’ performance?
3. What are the problems associated with the office managers’ usage of modem office technological gadgets in official duties?
4. What are the solutions to the problems associated with the office managers’ usage of modern office technological gadgets in official duties?

1.6 DELIMITATION OF THE STUDY

This research work is limited to selected companies in PH, Rivers State.Which comprises the NNPC, Agip, Chevron, Mobil, Shell, Saipem, and Dongote Cement Plc. Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

1.7   LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

The researcher encountered some hindrance in the course of carrying out this study. These are:

Financial constraints: This hinders the research from visiting different organizations, so as interview different number of office managers.

Time constraints: The time given for this research work coupled with academic work.

Lack of relevant materials: This contributed to hindrance from to gain more information.

1.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS

TECHNOLOGY:    Is defined as a study, history and utilization of manufacturing methods.

SERVICES:    Is a performance of duties or provision of space and equipment helpful to others, or it is that which is produced, than traded, bought or sold, them finally consumed and consists of an action or work.

DEVELOPMENT:  Is the act of improving by expanding enlarging and refining, is a process in which something pass by degrees to a different stage (especially a more advanced or mature stage.)

It is also a current event that has some relevance for the present situation.

OFFICE MANAGER: Office manager is “An assistant to an executive, possessing mastery of office skills and ability, assumes responsibility without direct supervision, who displays initiative, exercises judgment, and makes decisions within the scope of her authority.”

MODERN: Is defined as a set of traits-political, social and economic that came to exist in the world e.g. Political system as democratic representation, an economy that has social system with urban workers, professionals and businessmen.

ORGANIZATION: Is defined as, the person (or committees or departments etc.) Who make up a body for the purpose ‘ of administrating something or goals.

BUSINESS: Is a commercial enterprise with the activities of providing goals and services involving financial and commercial, industrial aspects. When people think of business careers, they often think of jobs in large wealthy corporation.

IMPACT: Is international initiatives which focuses on preventive and social health and promote awareness and intervention to prevent avoidable disability. Impact was founded in 1980s by Sir JOHN WILSON, impacts was formed as part of the UNs Decade of disable people.

BUSINESS ORGANIZATION: A group of people who form a business, club etc. Together in order achieve a particular aim.

PERFORMANCE:  The Business Dictionary defines performance as the accomplishment of a given task measured against preset known standards of accuracy, completeness, cost, and speed. In a contract, performance is deemed to be the fulfillment of an obligation, in a manner that releases the performer from all liabilities under the contract.