Impact Of ICT On Office Technology And Management Profession In Tertiary Institution

Introduction

1.1 Background Study

The world is changing rapidly as a result of new development in Information and communication technology (ICT) that is why there is a remarkable change or departure from traditional office machines like manual typewriter, gramophones and other stenotype office machines to electronic information communication system like computers, telephones, GSM handset, scanners, modern, operating system software etc.

Due to this new development our Nigerian institutions have to change the course name secretarial administration to a rebranded name called Office Technology and Management, the former curriculum of the secretarial administration was also changed to a curriculum that has to deal with the new Information technology. This was done to enable the students have knowledge of these new technologies in this information technology era, since the world is changing to a global village.

Laudon, (2002) explained that information technology is one of many tools mangers use to cope with changes, adding that computer which is at the core is the physical equipment used for inputting data and processing output. Similarly (Haag, 2002) asserted that information technology is any computer based tool that facilitates the search, retrieval and dissemination of information to information seekers and as well as support the information and information processing needs of individuals, groups and organization. He further explained that information technology includes keyboards, mouse, screens, printers, telephone, cellophane, television, radio, scanners, modems, word processor, and operating system software.

Ehikhamenor (1993) defines information technology as the acquisition, processing, storage and dissemination of information by means of computer, office machine and telecommunications. Computers provide the processing, storage and retrieval facilities while telecommunications provides the facilities for the transfer or communication of data and information to users.

The emergence and use of information technology has improved efficiency in the performance of routine tasks in office like electronic payments, producing documents in large quantities, information exchange, the flow of work is speeded up and essential materials are now processed online. However, in Nigeria the availability and utilization of information technology is at its lowest ebb and that is why office technology and management students are facing big challenges in this era, so the school managements should not only be concerned in teaching the courses in the curriculum but should concentrate also in the information of a framework of policy for the development of the office technology and management workshops with modern and up to date information technologies.

This is why Womboh (2008) likened the state of information and communication technology in most of our Nigerian institution’s libraries to a mediocre, he insisted that any institution offering office technology and management (OTM) as a course, should have a functional ICT connectivity in its workshop while Ajayi (2005) maintained that the traditional “brick and mortar” workshops must give way to digitalized workshops so that the students will be versatile and able to access these equipments.

Information and communication technology (ICT) is a terminology which has overtaken information technology (IT) because of its appropriateness and relevance. Information technology focuses on the computer while information and communication technology (ICT) emphasizes on the use of technology for development, thus focusing in the use of computers and other technologies such as telephone etc to process transport, transfer voice/video and other data singularly or mixed with least interference. Information technology (IT) advancement therefore involves a change in the methodology of secretarial duties from manual or semi-mechanical means to purely mechanize and digitalized processes.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

The rapid and tremendous development of information technology has posed a lot of challenges today to our office technology and management students in Osun State Polytechnic Iree, the students are exposed only to the use of analogue typing and shorthand skill, therefore inability to keep up with the rapid pace of technology has created fear on these students.

The unavailability of most of the information technologies in the office technology and management (OTM) workshops is another challenge the students are facing in this information technology era. Consequently, students who studied this course; information technology and management might loose lucrative jobs found within the confines of information and communication technology (ICT) due to lack of exposure to these technologies.

However, this investigation would proffer solutions to the exposure office technology and management (OTM) students in Osun State Polytechnic Iree need in order to overcome these challenges they are facing in this information technology era.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The main aim of this study is to examine the impact of ICT on office technology and management profession in tertiary institution (a case study of Osun State Polytechnic Iree). Other aims of this study are:

To determine whether there is adequate availability of ICT for the operations of office technology and management unit in Osun State Polytechnic Iree.

To find out the types of ICT equipment used by the office technology and management staff in tertiary institution in Osun State Polytechnic Iree.

To determine the effect of ICT on the workflow of office technology and management staff in Osun State Polytechnic Iree.

To examine the impact of ICT in the work efficiency of office technology and management staff in Osun State Polytechnic Iree.

To examine the impact of ICT in the productivity of office technology and management staff in tertiary institution in Osun State Polytechnic Iree.

 

1.4 Research Questions

The following research questions will be answered in this study:

Is there adequate availability of ICT for the operations of office technology and management unit in Osun State Polytechnic Iree?

What are the types of ICT equipment used by the office technology and management staff in tertiary institution in Osun State Polytechnic Iree?Computers set,

Laptops,

Printers,

Scanners,

Software programs,

 

 

What is the effect of ICT on the workflow of office technology and management staff in Osun State Polytechnic Iree?

Does ICT have a positive impact on the work efficiency of office technology and management staff in Osun State Polytechnic Iree?

What is the impact of ICT in the productivity of office technology and management staff in tertiary institution in Osun State Polytechnic Iree?

 

1.5 Research Hypotheses

The following null hypotheses will validate this study:

Ho: ICT do not have a positive impact on the performance of OTM staff in Osun State Polytechnic Iree.

Ha: ICT has a positive impact on the performance of OTM staff in Osun State Polytechnic Iree.

1.6 Significance of the Study

It is hoped that this research will serve in propelling an office technology and management student to strive hard as to fit into this era of information communication and technology (ICT) hence identifying the loopholes a student needs to erase. This research will also serve as communication to the school management on the direction of teaching and exposure needed by these students so as to measure up with modern trend of information technology and the challenges the students are facing in the information technology era.

1.7 Scope of the Study

This study focuses on the impact of ICT on office technology and management profession in tertiary institution (a case study of Osun State Polytechnic Iree). specifically, this study focuses on determining the extent ICT is used by the office technology and management profession in tertiary institution, finding out the types of ICT equipment used by the office technology and management profession in tertiary institution, examining whether the use of information technology equipment is important to the office technology and management profession in tertiary institution and analyzing the challenges posed by the use of information technology on Office Technology and Management profession in tertiary institution. The respondents for this study will be obtained from OTM staff in Osun State Polytechnic Iree.

1.8 Limitations of the Study

In the course of carrying out this study, the researcher experienced some constraints, which included time constraints, financial constraints, language barriers, and the attitude of the respondents. However, the researcher were able to manage these just to ensure the success of this study.

Moreover, the case study method utilized in the study posed some challenges to the investigator including the possibility of biases and poor judgment of issues. However, the investigator relied on respect for the general principles of procedures, justice, fairness, objectivity in observation and recording, and weighing of evidence to overcome the challenges.

1.9 Definition of Terms

Information technology: Information technology is the use of computers to create, process, store, retrieve, and exchange all kinds of electronic data and information. IT is typically used within the context of business operations as opposed to personal or entertainment technologies.

1.10 Organization of the Studies

The study is categorized into five chapters. The first chapter presents the background of the study, statement of the problem, objective of the study, research questions and hypothesis, the significance of the study, scope/limitations of the study, and definition of terms. The chapter two covers the review of literature with emphasis on conceptual framework, theoretical framework, and empirical review. Likewise, the chapter three which is the research methodology, specifically covers the research design, population of the study, sample size determination, sample size, and selection technique and procedure, research instrument and administration, method of data collection, method of data analysis, validity and reliability of the study, and ethical consideration. The second to last chapter being the chapter four presents the data presentation and analysis, while the last chapter(chapter five) contains the summary, conclusion and recommendation.