CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 1.1   BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The introduction of sophisticated office technology equipment like computers, word processors and other information technology resources coupled with new management techniques have completely changed old work habits in the office and triggered off a new business orientation thus making moribund the older methods of business transaction.

According to Okute (2001), Information Communication Technology is concerned with the aspect of managing and processing information through the use of electronic computers and computer software to convert, store, protect, process, transmit and retrieve information. It is the handling and processing of information for use by means of electronic and communication gadgets such as computers, cameras, telephones etc.

Atakpa (2010) stated that the office managers functions everywhere in the world have undergone a lot of technical changes. As a result, modern office equipment which gives the office managers the opportunity to increase her efficiency abound. Many office functions and office managers duties which were previously done manually have been mechanized. Thus, the diversities of these office technologies require the office managers to possess new skills and sub-skills to enable him/her to be relevant in the modern office. ICT has changed the equipment and work groups, of course; nobody today would like to work in an office where information processing and other secretarial activities are done manually or mechanically. So, the mechanized office is gradually given way to the automated office. Investment in networks of computer based workstations and other automated equipment is transforming traditional manual office methods and paper communications media. This transformation has resulted in the development of automated systems that rely on electronic collaboration and communication networks, text processing, image processing and other information and communication technologies.

According to Okwuanaso and Obayi (2003), information communication technology has posed challenges to office managers as they communicate in the present day office. In the past, office manager’s functions were performed manually such that documents and records were maintained on papers, stored in files and drawers. The consequences of global development in the modern information and communication technology area, calls for corresponding development of new skills in office communication by all office and office managers.

Information is a basic resource in today’s society. We are living in a global information society, with a global economy that is increasingly dependent on the creation, management and distribution of information resources. People in many nations no longer live in agricultural societies, composed primarily of farmers, or even industrial societies, where a majority of the workforce consists of factory workers. Instead, the workforce in many nations consists primarily of workers in services occupations or knowledge workers, that is, people who spend most of their workday creating, using and distributing information, (O’Brien, 1996). Today, the Information and Communication Technology revolution has dramatically changed all these and is moving quickly towards changing the work itself. The following are the modern ICT devices found in most offices for secretarial functions. They are, electronic computers with modern office accessories or packages and internet facilities for on-line communication and collaboration, computer printers, plotters, digit-memo, fax machine, photo-copier, Digital video camera, close circuit television, large-screen video projector, etc. Similarly, the days of relying primarily on ICT professionals to meet our information processing needs are over. Today’s office managers staff is expected to use net-worked microcomputers as professional workstations to acquire the information they need to accomplish their jobs successfully.

1.2   STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Communication technologies are new innovations in offices that enable the discharge of office functions more rapidly and efficiently. The emergence of office technologies in modern day organizations has challenged the occupational skills of the employees including the office managers. Hence, these communication technologies have recently revolutionized office skills and rendered some skills such as transcription skills, typing on the manual typewriter obsolete and has also given rise to previously unknown skills such as webpage design, desktop publishing, networking, internet skills etc., in modern organizations. This development has obviously challenged the skills and functions of office managers.

Again these advancements in communication technologies has led to the need for office managers to reposition themselves in other to continue to be relevant in their performance of office functions as well as cope with the trend of technological changes in today’s modern offices. The modern world of high technology could not have come about except for the development of computer. Information technology has opened up a new era in managing information/communication through the techniques of automation and this has enhanced communication systems. Information technology has made secretarial job more competitive. One of the main causes of poor performance among secretaries in most organizations is their abject lack of communication technology skills as highlighted above. Many of them do not possess communication technology skills required in the various offices and have continued to negatively affect their general performances. Lack of skills in the area of webpage design, desktop publishing, office application, networking, proficiency in accessing the internet, etc., among secretaries in government offices have often been a source of worry to the management of such organizations.

Eze (2000) maintains that any office staff of today that is lacking in Information Communication Technology would be boring, repetitive and would produce very little. Office managers have to get themselves acquainted on how to operate new office automation such as information storage systems, the internet and other new software packages. In view of the aforementioned problems the researcher tends to study those communication technology skills required by secretaries in their various offices and the influence they have on their job performances.

1.3   PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

The main purpose of this study was to ascertain the implication of (ICT Information Communication Technology (ICT) on the job performance of a modern office manager’s. Specifically the study sought to:

1. To determine ICT resources available for use by office managers performance.
2. To ascertain ICT skills required by office managers performance.
3. To identify the challenges associated with ICT in modern business organizations.
4. To make recommendations as solution to the challenges identified.

1.4   SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study, the implication of ICT on the job performance of        modern office managers, will be a great benefit to the followings:

     The researcher, this work will help the researcher in future research on similar topic.

     To the department of OTM, it will be an additional literature to the existence one that will be used by present and potential students.

     To the modern business organizations, the result of this study will be useful to them, when considering the technological need to improve the skills of modern office managers.

1.5   RESEARCH QUESTION

1. To what extent is ICT resources available for use by office                         managers?
2. To what extent are ICT skills required by the office managers
3. To what extent are the challenges facing the job performance of modern office managers?
4. To what extent are the recommendations made, adequate for the job performance of modern office managers.

1.6   RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

Ho: The implication of ICT does not improve the job performance of                         office managers

1.7   SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The scope of ICT is a very wide one that covers office automation, transaction processing, management reporting, decision support system, ICT for strategic competitive advantage, etc. This study however, restricts itself to office technology skills required by today’s office managers in carrying out his/her duties in a modern office environment.