A STUDY OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY ON THE PERFORMANCE OF OFFICE MANAGERS

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.0     Background of the Study

     It is the view of many people all over the world, especially workers in an    organisation that a good manager enhances workers productivity in an organisation. The Study of information and communication Technology has always been an important feature enhancing excellent managerial performances. Information and communication Technology is the life blood of every phase of business organisation. Information and communication Technology (ICT) is the fusion of information processing techniques and the means by which the information is distributed. In other words, ICT has to do with the acquisition, storage, processing and distribution of information usually through the use of radio, television, telephone, computers etc (Falaki 2002).

      With sophisticated in technology, there is no doubt that we are not static. Our society today comprises much organisation both large and small in the private and public sectors of the economy with various objectives to achieve. The achievement of these objectives involves planning, decision-making etc. However, without information the organisation can neither plan nor take accurate decision on any issue.

According to Falaki (2002) the impact of information and communication technology has played a great role in changing workers attitude to work, in establishing efficiency and communication, increasing profits, create new job and effective mass education, business organisation would have been more complicated without having tools of information and communication Technology. Hence the need for information and communication products likes electronic mail, facsimile transfer, cable television, telex-text, electronic telephone and satellite communications or data transmission by means of laser technology. Through information Technology, one is able to watch on happenings thousands of kilometres away from one’s home or to transmit messages to distance quite far away within a seconds through satellite and internets. These technologies advancement, unmatched in the history of scientific invention and innovation have simply tuned the world into a huge global village.

Furthermore, Information is the heart and soul of any organisation and a very important asset to an Office Managers, so Information and Communication Technology to any organisation is an easy access to determine whether the Office Manager is ready for the future or not. Conducting normal office work may be practically impossible for any standard office without the service of a well trained Office Manager to ensure good administration and management. In the same vein organisations are aware that modern technology helps in automating office activated to achieve increased productivity of not only the Office Manager, but also other segment of the office with series of office machines and computer with its ancillary devices. It is through communication, that information is passed to decision passing to those involved in executing them as well. Without the impact of Information and Communication and Technology, superior or subordinate in communication, there will be no business organisation, since it would be impossible to get people to be in a co-ordinate ways, people would be linked together as an abstract chain of command, but acting without a chain of understanding.

The rapid development in Information Technology which has occurred over the past fifteen (15) years has seen a broadening in the range of skills and considered to be imperative to the constantly evolving notion of computer literacy. It is to this end that the Information Technology is introduced.

1.1 Background of the Case Study

      Arfo Construction Company (Nig) Limited is a subsidiary of Arfo Group Abuja of Companies Limited with its Head office at No.8 Aba close, Area 8, Garki, an indigenous company with interest in diversified concerns. Prior to the inception of the company in 1991 operated as the construction and engineering arm of Kau International Nigeria Limited, as far back as 1983. With a very rapid growth in turnover and volume of projects, it became imperative for ease of management and convenience, to incorporate Arfo Construction Company Nigeria Limited, to deal essentially on the construction and engineering works. With multinational work force, bringing together a wealth of experience and technical know-how, Arfo Construction Company (Nig) has since carried out several major Civil Engineering and Road Construction both for private, Corporative organisations, States and the Federal Government of Nigeria. Amongst the major projects include the following:

Arfo Construction Company (Nig)) Limited has regional offices at No. 240C Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, No.3, Jos Road, Maiduguri, No. 75Evo Road, G.R.A. Phase II, Port Harcourt, No 6 Club Road Kano and at Atimbo Yard, Calabar, Cross River State. These offices operate as links and coordinating units for all Arfo Construction Company operations within their zone.

Over the years, Afro has built up a high level of expertise and a deep understanding of the construction and engineering needs in Nigeria and the role technology can play. Arfo Construction exploits technology advancements to improve its overall productivity, level of service and competitiveness. The company parades some of the best technology needs of a modern construction company. The company is fully automated in operation and also totally computerised to meet its operational and Information Technology needs in order to offer unparallel quality services to its growing clientele in the new millennium.

The company draws its strength form a crop of competent and skilled workforce in the field of engineering and construction has invested in education, training and the general personnel development of its manpower, which are its most valued resources. Against this background, staff welfare is a paramount issue in Arfo and the company provides enabling environment for the attainment of its corporate goals while aiding its employees to achieve their individual goals within the organisation’s framework.

The entire management of the company is headed by Alhaji Baba Shehu shettima who is the chairman/ Chief Executive Officer of Arfo Construction Company Nigeria Limited. He is with the responsibility of providing the vision, strategic direction and the formulation of cooperate policies and procedures for the company. A talented Manager of men and material, he had his tutelage in business in the United Kingdom where he worked in various management capacities for over 20 years. His leadership and management style has transformed Arfo Construction Company Nigeria Limited into a leading corporate firm among the indigenous construction companies in Nigeria. Alhaji Baba Shehu shettima looks forward to achieving many more positive results for the growth of the organisation in the 21^st century.

Arfo Construction Company (Nig) Limited have five (5) Department each headed by a Manager. These include:

Personnel/Administrative Department

Account /Finance Department

Engineering Department

Technical Department and

ICT Department

    The above department are sub divided into sections for easy monitoring, communication, assessment or evaluation which are all aimed at achieving the desire goals of the company

1.2    Statement of the Problem

The shift from the manual to computerized forms of processing information has no doubt increased some problems that need to be stated. Some Office Managers in Afro Construction Company Nigeria Limited are still using the manual forms of Information Communication Technologies and this has put them behind compared to others that use computer based facilities. This may be as a result of poor financial background or modified products that are being pushed into the market at a rate that they render three (3) months old software and hardware outdated. Office Managers would like to be complete in order to get his Information and Communication Technology requirement without hitch, they will spend more money maintaining its system which may have adverse challenges on the performance of the business organisation.

1.3   Purpose of the Study

The purpose of this study is to investigate the Information and    Communication Technology on the performance of Office Managers, The main objective of this study are as follows:

1.       Find out the extent to which the technologies pose challenges in the area of employment of office manager.
2.       To find out the extent to which curriculum is linked to the workplace, activities in the area of new technology.
3.      Assess the information and communication gadgets and the challenges passed by each of them to the office manager.
4.     To find out the extent to which information and communication technology equipments pose challenges in the area of operation

1.4     Research Question

The following research questions were postulated to guide the study.

1.       What are the challenges posed by the introduction of ICT to the Office Manager?
2.       To what extent is the curriculum linked to the workplace, activities in the area of new technology?
3.     To what extent do information and communication gadgets pose challenges in the productivity of office managers?
4.     To what extent does Information and Communication Technology equipment pose challenges in the area of operation?

 1.5    Significance of the study

One of the significance of the project work is for effective functioning of office work in government organisation taken the Afro Construction Company to ensure efficiency in office operation.

Another significance of the study is enlightening employer to engage employees who should do more than is supposed to do with office work function. Beside, to motivate others who are already in the office work field.

It also improves communication system instrument of social interaction through which the relationships are between boss and office managers and finally between boss and the public.

Information Communication Technology (ICT) is of immense benefit to the following:

        Office Managers:

Information Communication Technology helps an Office Manager to facilitate his/her worker; it also allowed Office Managers to communicate with the external bodies, processes information speedily. It saves times that an office manager can print and reprint document from the previous work.

An Organisation:

To an organisation, Information Communication Technology helps in keeping files, reducing the load on servers and networks. It also motivates staff to their job. Most importantly it reduces cost of material or stationeries wastages.

Educational institution:

Information Communication Technology in higher institution is used in checking student result, admission, and payment of school fees and online

The Society:

Information Communication Technology (ICT) has greatly impacted enhanced global socialisation and interactions. In fact, Information technology has taken over nearly every aspect of our daily lives from commerce (buying and selling) to leisure and even culture. Today, mobile phones, desktop computers, hand held devices, emails and the use of internet has become a central part of our culture and society. These technologies play a vital role in our day to day operations.

ICT has made global social and cultural interaction very easy. We now live in an interdependent global society, where people can interact and communicate swiftly and efficiently. News and information can now be transmitted in minutes. Individuals can easily stay in contact with members of their families who reside in other countries or make new friends across the world.

Examples of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools used for these purpose are; emails, instant messaging (IM), chat rooms and social networking websites, such as face book, Twitter, Skype, phones, cellular phones and similar applications.

ICT made a major contribution towards the elimination of language barriers; people speaking different languages can connect and socialize or trade in real time via the internet. This is made possible with the use of language translators.

1.6    Scope of the Study

The study is limited to Arfo Construction Company (Nig) Limited head office complex in Abuja.

1.7    Limitation

The following barriers posed a lot of impediments to the research work: The inadequacy of time for research posed a threat and the respondents were reluctant toward ticking the questionnaires. This is because they were always at construction sites to close monitoring of workers.

The researcher also was faced by a lot of financial constraints. This is because finance is an important element in any research work.

1.8     Definition of some Terms/Abbreviation:

AUTOMATION: Automation operation or control of a system or process or equipment. It is simply, the use of methods and machine to save labour.

OFFICE MANAGER: An assistant to an executive, possessing of offices kills and ability to assume mastering responsibility without direct supervision, who displays initiative, exercise good judgement and makes decision within the scope of his authority. An organisation “image maker”.

COMPUTER: Electronic machine which accepts data, processes same with high speed, mathematical or logically and gives information as output.

TECHNOLOGY: The use of scientific knowledge to develop goods and service useful to man.

TELEPRINTER: Telegraphy instrument used for sending messages. G.S.M: Global System for mobile Communication.

ICT: It is equipment that can process information automatically at a great speed with high reliability and accuracy