AN EVALUATION OF THE IMPACT OF COMPUTER SKILLS ON THE MODERN ERA SECRETARIES

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Background Of The Study

In the past, centuries, secretaries keep important documents or mails in their files or drawers. These files will be kept in the file cabinet as the storage facility and this process will be in progress for years. Although these facts are kept at a stage some of these documents may get too old and tore, it can get lost or the cabinet may not contain it any longer thereby leading to its relocation. Also another worker in the organization may take away an important document without the secretary's knowledge.

Further, stones and sticks were initially used as counting tools or machine before the industrial revolution. Charles Babbage who invented the first calculating machine fore see the ineffectiveness of using the Abacus method of calculation. Computer came into existence with the help of the Harvard University coupled with the idea of Babbage with the experience gained from the use of punched cared machine. The first electric computer was build in 1944 and it was called the Electronic Numerical Integrator and calculator (ENIC).

Over the years, (during the 19th and 20th century) business officers have been under going the process of computerization in terms of installing computers and other modern equipment in pace of old And absolute ones. This computerization process started in Europe after the industrial revolution and has since gone round the world including Nigeria and Enugu.

Moreover, the duties of modern secretaries in offices and the use of computer revolves round the secret for the achievement of organizational goals because a modern office that does not have this computer may not achieve their goals effectively. A modern secretary is a person who possesses a mastery of office skills who demonstrate the ability to assume responsibilities without supervision, who exercises initiatives and judgment and who make decisions within the scope of assigned authority with the knowledge of computers.

Today most offices have been computerized and it is the secretaries that manipulates these equipments in the course of discharging their duties effectively. The question now is “To what extent does the use of computer affect the job performance of modern secretaries in terms of efficiency, quality of work done reduces mistakes in circulation and gives offices efficient cost effect analysis that would be nearly impossible with manual operations. The effects of the computer literate on the modern secretaries than becomes an issue of discussion.

Computerized technology is more powerful, more versatile and more flexible than the mechanical technology that the world has now outgrown. In the rapidly changing world where information technology and the electronic office is fast becoming a reality, secretaries cannot be pleased and rely on their basic office skills or secretarial training. Although skills and discipline will be necessary, the ability to be conversant with word processors, computer, desktop publishing equipment and computer application and future innovations will be an essential requirement. Introduction of computer technology improves the secretarial skills and experience. Office work is the area of business which has been most influenced by computer and micro processor. Secretarial work requires the use of word processor, printer and monitors to control their operations and it also help artists, scientist, engineers, accountants, etc. computers are vital to the secretaries in their management systems and storage of information.

In spite of this computer age, some secretaries are still carrying out their duties manually without the aid of computers because they are completely ignorant of the usefulness of the computer. This research therefore is carried out in order to carefully identify how computer literacy can help modern secretaries and how it will effect their duties.

1.2 Statement of Problem

Since the introduction of computer into the business world, secretaries now find it difficult to cope with the latest development in micro age. Because there are many problems associated with the use of computer. According to Terry (1970:155) stated that the problems associated with the use of computer is heavily with the cost of maintenance. The cost of repairing and maintaining computer are so high that most of them are dumped in the office making secretaries who are acquainted with them handicapped to tackle their job. Recurrent expenses in the form of cost of stationery, ink, training of staff and special pay for such staff are problems encounters in procuring computer Onasanya (1990:248). He further said that computer reduces inefficiency on the part of the secretary, problems such as delay in production due to break down of the machines arises.

Also modern secretaries without computer literate find it difficult to cope or perform their duties well in a modern office. Many modern office now no longer employ any secretary without computer literate.

Again, the old system of filing or storage has been phased out since the introduction of computers in to the business world. Some modern secretaries cling to the use of manual machine due to their ignorant of the usefulness of computer because of their lack of knowledge of it. Hence her interest for this study to identify the effects of computer literacy on modern secretaries.

1.3 Purpose of the Study

The aims of this study is to evaluate the Impact of Computer Skills on the Modern Era Secretaries using NEPA Enugu as the focal point.

Specially, the study will try to:

1. Identify the effects of computer literacy on the job performance of modern secretaries.
2. Find out whether modern secretaries who are not computer literate can be employed in a modern office
3. Identify whether the knowledge of computer facilitates the work of modern secretaries.
4. Find out the importance of computer to modern secretaries.
5. Find out whether the computer has come to replace the work of secretaries.

1.4 Research Questions

To achieve the above objectives, five research questions were formulated and the research will provide answers to the following research questions.

1. What are the effects o computers literacy on the job performance o modern secretaries
2. Can modern secretaries who are not computer literate be employed in a modern office
3. Does the knowledge of computer facilitates the work of secretaries.
4. What are the importance o computer to modern secretaries
5. Has the introduction of computer come to replace the work of secretaries.

1.5 Research Hypothesis

In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.

Hypothesis One

• H0; There is no significance difference between the mean responses of female and male secretaries of NEPA Enugu on the effect of computer literacy on the job performance of modern secretaries (P<.05)
• H1; There is significance difference between the mean responses of female and male secretaries of NEPA Enugu on the effect of computer literacy on the job performance of modern secretaries (P<.05)

1.6 Scope of the Study

This research is focused on the evaluation of the Impact of Computer Skills on the Modern Era Secretaries in NEPA Enugu. Also to the use of observation which were employed to assess both view of the senor secretaries and junior secretaries and the top managers that work directly with the secretaries.

1.7 Significance of the Study

This study is going to identify the effects of computer on the job performance of modern secretaries in modern office, to recommend solutions for the upliftment of everybody in business and for the growth of Nigerian economy in particular.

Secretaries

This study is significant in that it will help modern secretaries to know whether computer literate is important in performing their jobs. This is to minimize and where possible to eliminate computer ignorance on the side of secretaries, workers and nature itself.

It will also help to clear the argument on whether the introduction of computer will make modern secretaries jobless or not. Many secretaries now bear it at the back of their mind that the only reason of introducing computer into our business is to chase them away from their normal position in the office

Employers

On the side of employers, the notable significance is to inform the employers on the category of secretaries to organizations will equally enjoy this research since it will help them to know, choose or employ qualified secretaries in their organizations.

The secretaries are said to be the life wire of any organization or business. When the secretaries and their employers are happy, the business itself will be invariably happy. The position of secretaries in office affair is a function of the world position in office line. Therefore, the world as a whole is a beneficiary from the study.

Finally, this study is immensely significant, primarily with the respect to the fact that it constitutes a major requirement to the conferment of the Higher National Diploma in secretarial studies on the writer. The study will be beneficial to those who need the information for literature enrichment of the subject such as director, managers, secretaries and those interested in secretarial information.