ABSTRACT

This research work has been carried out to determine the challenges of information and Communication Technology (ICT) to workers. This is with the basic aim of providing practical solution towards the re-engineering and sustenance of the organizational profession. The re-training of workers, carrying out of visitation in form of excursion to those firms that assemble or reproduce these modern machines, proper funding of institutions and procurement of modern  machines and equipment. Information and communication Technology (ICT) training and development strategies to organizational staff in the organizations. Development of social and physical infrastructure within the government and organizations towards enhancing effective and efficient performance of the staff. However, the final recommendations are good proposals for any organization to adopt in order to  make its workers more effective and efficient. The research work present the issues, challenges and strategies in this regard with reference to some selected organizations in Port Harcourt, River State.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.1    Background of the Study                                     

1.2    Statement of Problems                                        

1.3    Objectives of the Study                                       

1.4    Research Questions                                            

1.5    Research Hypothesis                                   

1.6    Significance of the Study                             

1.7    Limitation of the Study                                        

1.8    Definition of Terms                                             

2.2    Definition of a Secretary                                      

2.3    Secretaries before ICT                                

2.4    Challenges of Information and Communication Technology to Modern workers                     

2.5    The Challenging Function of the Secretary      

2.6    Record Keeping and Management                 

2.7    Management Information System (MIS)         

2.8    Communication Technology                          

Reference

3.1    Introduction                                                       

3.2    Sources of Data collection                            

3.3    Population of the Study                                       

3.4    Sample and Sampling Procedure                   

3.5    Instrument for Data Collection                              

3.6    Validation of the Research Instrument                   

3.7    Reliability of the  Research Instrument           

3.8    Method Administration of the Research Instrument

3.9    Method of Data Analysis                                      

4.0    Data Presentation, Analysis, Interpretation and summary of Results/Findings.

4.1    Presentation and Analysis                    

4.2    Test of Hypothesis                                      

4.3    Summary of Result                                     

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0    Summary of Findings, Recommendations and Conclusions

5.1    Summary of Finding                            

5.2    Recommendations                                      

5.3    Conclusion                                         

5.4    Limitation of the study                         

Bibliography

Appendix

Questionnaires

The world of business is changing rapidly as a result of technological development. This is very wide departure from the traditional business enterprises to the evolution of international and multinational organizations in Nigeria economy. Some of these establishments have acquired and installed modern  communications equipment.

Thus, information technology and an ultimate fully electronic office is fast becoming a reality. In effect, information and communication technology pose a lot of challenges to modern secretaries. The impact of technological improvement in the office demands that the development of a successful secretarial career today depends of upon the secretary  to acquire information and communication technology (ICT) based skills and expertise as well skills required for each category of staff.

Technology changes in our environment coupled with competition within a particular industry or in the society account for the reason why secretaries should engage in training and development to meet up with the challenges. This is as a result of the need to match changes in structure, policies, technology, processes and producers with the needed performance, attitude and behaviors. This study will provide an sight into the present day technological realities in and office and how a secretary could fit into it.

        The emergence of information and Communication Technology (ICT) has given a new improved life to communication in the office, factory, banks, hospital, hotel, supermarket, garage or at home.

        As information and communication technology (ICT) continues to expand in office across the nations, the role of the secretaries has greatly evolved. Office Automation and organizational restructuring have led secretaries to assume  a wide range of  new responsibilities once and reserved for managerial and professional staff. Secretaries now need to be provide with training and orientation, conduct research on the internet and learn to operate new office technologies. This will enable the secretary to work along with other staff and meet the challenges of modern office.

        There is no doubt that the secretary remains the life-wire of any organization. Contributions and effectiveness of a secretary depends on how he/she can cope with the modern technologies. However, with the development of new technology, secretarial profession is becoming increasingly challenging and more sophisticated that the common traditional role of a secretary  are gradually  being faced out.

    Secretaries are responsible for a variety of administration and clerical duties necessary to run an organization effectively. They serve as information charring house for an office, schedules an appointment, provide information to caller, organize and maintain paper and electronic file, manage project, and provide correspondent. Secretaries and aided  in these tasks  by a variety of office equipment such as computer, photocopier, and  telephone systems. In addition, secretaries increasingly use personal computer to run spreadsheet, word processing, database management, desktop publisher, and graphic programs. Tasks previously handled by managers. Hence, this study has been designed to bring to light the veracity of ICT and the challenges and how a secretary could meet up with  these challenges.

1.2    Statement of the problem

In today’s office, traditional job like filing, keyboarding

reprography, treatment of incoming and outgoing mail and other clerical activities have now learnt themselves to Automation. Attention is now shifting from the usual traditional secretarial skill to a more modernized practice. The central focus of this study is to address the challenges of information and communication Technology that modern secretaries face.

1.3    Objective of the Study

        The main objective of this study are:

1.    To analyze the various forms of information and communication technology (ICT) and how they pose as challenges to modern secretaries.

2.   It will be of great importance to practicing secretaries, employers of labor, managers Researchers, Governments and trainers of  Secretaries to know the various challenges faced by secretaries on information and communication technology.

3.   The study will analyze its differences and major challenges pose by secretaries in work places..

4.   It will also provide strategies for the employers and organizations on how they can develop secretaries and what they can embark upon for updating secretaries skills to meet the challenges of modern information systems and equipment’s

1.4  Research Questions

1.        Will information and communication technology enhance the secretarial skill and practice? 

2.        Can a secretary remain relevant without modern information and technology?

3.        Would the career structure of a secretary remain unchanged?

4.        Can secretaries find use of modern information and communication technology equipment’s relevant in handling the human aspect of their job?                                           

1.5    Research Hypothesis

     The hypothesis below is given to tentative answers to help the researcher in proffering solution to the project work:

H0:    Secretaries are not well equipped in the use of modern Information and communication technology.

H1:    Secretaries are well equipped in the use of modern Information and communication technology.

H0:    Modern information and communication technology do not enhance the secretarial skill and practice.

H2:    Modern information and communication technology enhance the secretarial skill and practice

1.6      Significance of the Study

           It is hope that by the end of this research work, the researcher would identify the major challenges of information and communication technology to modern secretaries and thus:

Identify strategies for modern secretaries to meet these challenges.

Increase public awareness in information and communication technology as it concerns secretarial staff.

Encourage organizations on the training of their secretarial staff in the area of information and communication technology to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in their duties.       

1.8    Definition of Terms

Secretary: Some people refer to the secretary as a typist, others refer her as a part of the clerical team in an office, some other people see secretary as a receptionist and some the ‘‘mind’’ of the boss.

Challenge: Problems

ICT:            Information and Communication Technology

NAMBLE: Nigeria American Bank Limited.