CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 1.1     BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Several changes have taken place in private and public offices as regard the roles and functions of the office managers. The type of machines and gadgets that were used to produce, duplicate and store information has undergone a great transformation to cope with the fast growing world of technology. The success of any organization relies much on the office managers whose role though supportive is critical to the achievement of organizational goals and objectives.

In today’s organizations one of the things that make organizations unique is the use of modern technological gadgets. Both internal and external forces such as market competition, consumer behaviour, technology and quality management are the drivers of  organizational change  In today’s business world, every office requires facts and accurate information for quick decision making (Akpomi and Ordu, 2009). In Modern Office Technology the role of the secretary is crucial in the life or progress of an organization hence, needs some technological and human backing from the work place. The effective performance of the office manager depends upon the office equipment, knowledge and skills, of Professional office manager.

The skill level and functioning of the traditional secretary involve greater physical and mental ability. The introduction of modern technologies and programmes has lessened the onerous tasks for the modern secretary. These range from production, reproduction, storage and retrieval among others.

1.2     STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The problem so associated with this research project is projected as seen in the rapid and advance introduction of modern information technological devices in connection with the modern office manager in the modern day organization and the society. Modern devices vary in degree, they are used by organizations in the world of information which are very useful and also produce precise information, speed, reliability and accuracy of desired results.

There are several problems facing technologies in the modern business organizations, the problems include; power supply, high cost of connectivity, lack of basic education, high cost of equipment, etc.

If this is so, the ultimate question is “are modern office manager actually up to the task? The problem of how he can effectively make use of these technologies to produce what is required in terms of its operation, the problem of how he could apply these technologies to identify the organization’s problems and what needs are required by the organization at the actual time, place and condition. So much is really expected of the office manager.

Cameron (1982), a very long time ago, commented that it takes up to 10 to 15 years between the introduction of new equipment in the market and its installation in small organizations. In modern times, it is not uncommon to find some organizations still subjecting office manager to the use of manual typewriters. When office manager are not provided with efficient and effective working tools, productivity is definitely bound to be low.

1.3     PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

The purpose of the study is as follows;

1. To examine the technological challenges faced by office managers in the modern business organizations.
2. To x-ray the solutions to the challenges faced by office manager in the modern business organizations.

1.4     SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The significance of this study is that it would alert office manager to the technological challenges of the 21st century. By doing, they are prepared on how to face theses problems. Organizations will also benefit in that they will know how to protect their workers in the face of these challenges.

1.5     RESEARCH QUESTIONS

This research study will attempt to find answer to the following questions;

1. Are there any technological challenges faced by office managers in the modern business organizations?
2. Are there possible solutions to the challenges faced by office manager in the modern business organizations?

1.6 RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS:

Ho1: there is no significant effect of technological challenges on office managers in the modern business organizations.

Ho2: there are no possible solutions to the challenges faced by office manager in the modern business organizations.

1.6     DELIMITATION OF THE STUDY

This project is limited to selected organizations in Port Harcourt which include Total SLF Nigeria Plc, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and Access Bank Plc.

1.7     LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

This study is limited by financial constraints resulting from the economic recession. Also time to search for useful material has thus limits this study.

1.8     DEFINITION OF TERMS

The following terms are defined for the purpose of the study:

Modern business organization This is the bringing together of resources, manpower, knowledge, skill and technology for the courses of producing goods and services for human consumption with the aim of profit making.

Challenges

Innovation: Problems encountered in course of doing something.

The art of making changes or introducing new things.

Machines:

Appliance or mechanical devices with parts working together to apply power.

Automation:  Has to do with the use of machines. The machine appears of itself to make its own decision without guidance from the brain of a man.

Technology:

Technological age:

This is any mechanism capable of processing data or solving problems.

The era or time of using mechanism to solve problems.