CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 1.1   BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

A profession is a type of occupation or vocation which someone engages in the period of his working life through which he earns a living and gain both social and economic advancement(Ahukanna and Chukwumezie 2008).It is also a paid job for which one does for life to actualize one’s full economic and social expectations. We have different types of professions which includes; Medicines, Business and Management profession.

Office Technology and Management profession is dedicated to educating advertising and connecting students to opportunities for summer and post-graduate in order to foster their intellectual, social and personal transformations. Some of the importance of office technology and management career in the business office, it serves as a center for personnel function, it is regarded as the store house for business work to be fast.

Problems of Office Technology and Management profession are computer, the introduction of computer as a tool for enhancing Office Technology has its problems which are sometimes as adverse as the goods they bring, and this is usually connected to computerization. The taking over of most of the works done in the office by the computer may likely increase the problem of unemployment which is soaring daily.

Problems and Prospect of Office Technology and Management profession in Rivers State. This evolving technology is without problems which may be responsible for it’s in effective practice or efficient utilization in the management of activities related to its field of study. So long as their exist problems, the right remedies are available or devisable as necessary solution to the problems. The investigation of these factors are the bedrock of the study.

1.2   STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

There is no doubt that financial constrain is one of major Problems which has beset the Prospects of Office Technology and Management in Port Harcourt. The reason been that without adequate finance, it will be practically impossible; money is required to buy office equipment. The exorbitant cost of this equipment is not within the reach of small firms to purchase.

One other problem is that of political will on the part of government. It is true that government encourage the wide spread use of office technologies through deliberate policy but this is lacking on the part of government who on its own, does not even have most the modern equipment devices to enable effective and efficient management of the office.

It is true that some organization may have the finance to purchase the bulk of office equipment that will facilitate the good management of their offices, yet they may not be aware of the need and benefit which this will bring to their organizations.

One of the problems affecting Office Technology and Management profession is computer, many people today find it hard to operate the computer. And the computer is very expensive to purchase in the world today, many office today and organization are making use of computers.

1.3   PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

The main purpose of this study is to examine the Problems and Prospect of Office Technology and Management, profession in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The study also looked into the following areas;

1. To find out the aims of Office Technology and Management profession in Port Harcourt Rivers State.
2. To find out the extent to which Office Technology and Management Profession enable Office Managers to achieve organizational goal in Port Harcourt City.
3. To identify the problems associated with Office Technology and Management profession in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
4. To offer solutions to the problems associated with Office Technology and Management profession in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The finding of the study will be beneficial to employers of labour. This is because they will know the importance of office managers and how to make effective use of them.

Another group to benefit from this study is the policy makers in an organization, because it will help them to understand how to introduce equipment regarding to their profession and field of operations.

Apart from affording the opportunity of knowing the positive contributions, which could arise from office technology, the study will be very significant in relating, by way of exposure, to the problems which the new technology will present. These problems can be studied by interested parties, and solutions proffered for them.

1.5 RESEARCH QUESTION

The study will utilize the following research questions to achieve its aims.

1. What are the aims of choosing Office Technology and Management profession in organization?
2. How does Office Technology and Management profession contribute to the achievement of an organization’s goal?
3. What are the problems associated with Office Technology and Management profession in organization’s in Port Harcourt?
4. How can we resolve the problems associated with Office Technology and Management profession in organizations in Port Harcourt?

1.6 DELIMITATION OF THE STUDY

The aim of the study is to examine the problems and prospect of Office Technology and Management profession in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.The study area includes selected organizations in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.They are; Ministry of Information Port Harcourt, Nigeria Port Authority, Onne and Rivers State Secretariat, Port Harcourt.

1.7 DEFINITION OF TERMS

The following terms are defined as used in the research.

Problems: Can be defined broadly as situations in which we experience uncertainty or difficulty in achieving what we want to achieve. A matter or situation regarded as unwelcome or harmful and needing to be dealt with and overcome.

Profession: Is an occupation, practice, or vocation requiring mastery of a complex set of knowledge and skills through formal education and/or practical experience

Port Harcourt: This is the headquarter of the Rivers State

OTM: The course provides the business world with multi-skilled knowledge workers who manage information efficiently, equipped with a comprehensive range of skills including managerial, technological (substantial computer applications) and communication skills.

Office Manager: Office manager is a professional involving the design, implementation, evaluation, and maintenance of the process of work within an office or organization, in order to maintain and improve efficiency and productivity.

Management:  Management includes the activities of setting the strategy of an organization and coordinating the efforts of its employees (or of volunteers) to accomplish its objectives through the application of available resources, such as financial, natural, technological, and human resources.

Rivers State:  This is a state in the south-south geo-political zone of Nigeria.