THE EFFECTS OF MODERN OFFICE AUTOMATION ON THE PRODUCTIVITY OF SECRETARIES

By

EKEMEKA ONYINYE .J.

Presented To

Department of Office Technology

ABSTRACT

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of modern office automation on the productivity of secretaries. In order to obtain the required information, questionnaire were administered to secretaries. Data collected are presented under discussions and findings in chapter four. From the data collected, the researcher was able to identify the effects of modern office automation on the productivity of secretaries. It was revealed that technology (office automation) aids the secretaries to a large extent in discharging of their duties. However, for these newly introduced equipment to function, and to bring the designed goals, someone is always needed in the office. In the same vein, majority of the respondents were of the view that introduction of modern office automation lead to training and retaining of secretaries. In summation, the finding of this research work was that technology has had a tremendous effect on the jobs of today's secretary. It was also deduced that technology cannot endanger raised the productivity of secretaries in the recent years based on the findings, the researcher concluded that technology cannot endanger the further prospect of flexible secretary. Finally, organizations have the duty to send secretaries on new courses on refresher course from time to time. And they should acquire modern office automation to improve the productivity of their secretaries.

TABLE OF CONTENT

Title page

Approval page……………………………………………………………………………………………………i

Dedication…………………………………………………………………………………………………………ii

Acknowledgement……………………………………………………………………………………………iii

Abstract……………………………………………………………………………………………………………iv

Table of contents………………………………………………………………………………………………v

CHAPTER ONE

Introduction………………………………………………………………………………………………………1

Background of the study……………………………………………………………………………………1

Statement of the problem………………………………………………………………………………2

Purpose of the study………………………………………………………………………………………3

Significance of the study…………………………………………………………………………………3

Scope of study…………………………………………………………………………………………………4

Research questions……………………………………………………………………………………………4

CHAPTER TWO

Literature Review……………… ………………………………………………………………………………5

The effects of modern office Automation on the productivity of secretaries………5

The uses of office automation……………………………………………………………………………8

The importance of office automation……………………………………………………………11

The problems secretaries encounter in using those modern office

Automation ………………………………………………………………………………………………………14

Summary of literature review …………………………………………………………………………17

CHAPTER THREE

Research Methodology………………………………………………………………………………………19

The research design……………………………………………………………………………………………19

Area of study………………………………………………………………………………………………………19

Population of the study………………………………………………………………………………………19

The sample and sampling technique…………………………………………………………………20

Method of data collection………………………………………………………………………………21

Distribution and Retrieval of instrument……………………………………………………………21

Method of data analysis……………………………………………………………………………………22

Decision Rule……………………………………………………………………………………………………23

CHAPTER FOUR

Data presentation and analysis…………………………………………………………………………24

Discussion of findings ………………………………………………………………………………………30

CHAPTER FIVE

Summary of findings…………………………………………………………………………………………31

Conclusions………………………………………………………………………………………………………31

Recommendations…………………………………………………………………………………………32

Limitations………………………………………………………………………………………………… - …33

References………………………………………………………………………………………………………34

Appendices ……………………………………………………………………………………………………36

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background of the study

Work was the major activities of man before the industrial revolution that was the period marked with mechanization of work, presently computer is representing mechanization thereby turning the work into automation

The 21^st century has witnessed a lot of advancement both in science and technology This advancement has been growing rapidly since the end Second World War both in manufacturing, aviation, medicine, engineering, finance and administration, such advances has affected adversely in all aspects of life These technological advancement includes the modern office automation which we use in our day to day activities in he business organizations

However modern automation in all works of life does not exempt secretarial productivity The required unchanged while the procedure continues to change as more and more sophisticated machines are introduced in the office

The impact brought about by the invention of new office machines are immeasurable many of those office automation out-ways the secretaries performance due to their effectiveness, speed and time saving The introduction of most office automation might go as far as costing secretaries their job as a result of limited numbers being employed

The fear of cost of craftsmanship as new product (automation) replaces the old ones becomes the issue of stake Consequently, the issue of bearing extra cost in training and retraining secretaries becomes a problem

These and many other reasons motivated the researchers into investigating and ascertaining how true these statement are with regards to the effects of modern office automation to the productivity of secretaries

Statement of the Problem

The world is undergoing a raid change due to the innovation of modern automation as we are the new millennium and the evolution continues in order to cope with the modern age needs to know the effects of all these automated machines

What are the effects of these changes on the productivity of secretaries in the offices, her ability to cope her job security, her relevance to the office work for which she is employed and moreover, the training which is o prepare her to meet the challenges of her over-changing work environment

For government to equip their offices with modern automation they need enough capital to import these machines since they are not produced in Nigeria

Modern office automation we all know needs expertise as regards to repair and procurement of spare marts

Some of these automated machines need suitable environment like air-conditioned room, isolated pace and wide space For Oru West LGA to acquire these equipment, they will have to re-adjust their environment to suit the new machines that is to be acquired

Purpose of the study

1 To identify the effects of modern office automation on the productivity of secretaries

2 To identify the use of office automation

3 To examine the importance of automation

4 To identify the problems secretaries encounter in using those automation

Significance of the Study

The research is carried out in the sense that its findings will reassure the secretaries who thinks their skills is no longer useful in the offices as a result of the introduction of new modern automation This ought to be done in order to boost their morale and increase their productivity as well It will also be useful to both practicing secretaries and secretaries to be, not to fear about the future prospect of their profession, the study will also be very handy to various institutions where secretaries are trained to design healthy training programmes for secretaries in schools so that experience gained will be useful in the world of work if all the study will be immensely important to the general public especially the government to appreciate the best way to make use of automation available to them

The Scope of the study

The scope of this research work is delimited to the effects of modern office automation on the productivity of secretaries in Oru West Local Government secretarial complex, Imo State

Research Questions

1 What are the effects of modern office automation on the productivity of secretaries

2 What are the uses of office automation

3 What are the importance of automation

4 What are the problems secretaries encounters in using those automation