IMPACT OF WORKING CONDITIONS ON PERFORMANCE OF PROFESSIONAL SECRETARIES

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study

As human beings grow, more numerous they have been subdivided to increase productive efficiency. This process known as the division of labour has led to increasing specialization of the functions of an individual workers.

Organizations, be it public or private, large or small, are set up to achieve specific organizational goals and objectives. These goals and objectives include profit maximization of socio-economic well-being of members etc.

In recent years, the Nigerian government is showing increasing concern over the performance of her fully owned enterprises. This current privatization and commercialization of governments owned cooperation is example of this concern for performance.

Secretaries as organizations members and agent through whom organizations achieve their objectives are very complex in nature. Basely and Robinson (1964) states that the work of the secretary varies according to the kind of products or service being rendered by the firm in which he is employed. The size of the organisation, the position of the secretary's employer in the organization, and his employer's manner or method of wok.

One of the problems of secretaries is the hierarchical structure o the profession. A secretary is ranked according to her level of education or grade. in the working system in the Nigerian economy, there are many problems and difficulties encountered by all classes of workers and which in olden days were called stenographers, typist etc. are now designated secretarial, Assistants I, II, III and IV.

Problems ranging from the environment, public relations, accommodations, transport, the boss, salary and state governments are at presents raced with the problem of running result through efficient combination of resources at their disposal. These resources are man, machines, materials and money of these, man is regarded as the most important because he controls all other resources. The failure of the enterprises can therefore be traced to a failure in the managements of the humans resources in the enterprises.

Therefore, the problem of this study is to identify the working conditions of the office environment of a professional secretary and to evaluate how these affects her productivity.

Robins (1978) opines that he management of human resources simply means “how to achieve bigger and better results through the efforts of people working in the organization”. This is basically concerned with the integration of personal aspiration of the employees or groups of employees within that organization.

Robins (1978) further asset that people participated in an organized enterprise and indeed in all kinds of groups in order to achieve some gods that they will necessarily work and contribute all they can to be sure that these goals are accomplished. It has been observed that one needs the rights skills to accomplish and it follows therefore that employers will value any behaviour that is the actions people put into their jobs and the consequences of those actions.

What propels those action? What factors influence and affect a secretary's work performance? How should a secretary's work performance be improved? The answers to these questions are the focal points of this very study.

---

1.2 Statement of Problems

One of the problems of secretaries is the hierarchical structure of the profession. A secretary is ranked according to her level of education or grade. in the working system in the Nigerian economy, there are many problems and difficulties encountered by all classes of work and secretaries are no exception. There secretaries which in olden days were called stenographers, typists etc. Are new designed secretarial Assistants I II, III and IV.

Problems ranging from the environment, public relations, accommodations, transport, the boss, salary and state governments are at present faced with the problem of running result-oriented corporation, Enterprises can achieve results through efficient combination of resources at their disposal. These resources are man, machines, materials and money.

Of these, man is regarded as the most important because he controls all the other resources. The failure of the enterprises can therefore be traced to a failure in the management of the human resources in the enterprises.

Therefore, the problem of this study is to identify the working conditions of the office environment of a professional secretary and to evaluate now these affects her productivity.

Robins (1978) opines that the management of human resource simply means “how to achieve bigger and better results through the efforts of people working in the organization” This is basically concerned with the integration of personal aspirations of the employees or groups of employees within that organization.

Robin (1978) further asserts that people participated in an organized enterprise and indeed in all kinds of groups in order to achieve some goals that hey will necessary works and contribute all they can to be sure that these goals are accomplished, it has been observed that one needs the right skills to accomplish and it follows therefore that employers will value any behaviours that increase efficiency, performance involves inputs and output, that is the action people put into their jobs and the consequences of those actions.

What propels those actions? Why do secretaries behave the way they do in work? What factors influence and affects a secretary's work performance? How should a secretary's work performance be improved? The answers to these questions are the focal points of this very study.

---

1.3 Purpose of the Study

The main purpose of perceived leadership is to enhance effectiveness of work performance.

The overall purpose of this research work include the following.

1. To evaluate the perceived leadership function and to ascertain how it can enhance efficiency.
2. To appraise the role of leadership in an organization and evaluate its effectiveness in realization of management objectives.
3. To ascertain the procedure of leadership in an organization and evaluate its realization of management objectives.
4. To find out the problems that that hinder perceives leadership in an organization and seek possible ways of solving such problems.

---

1.4 Research Question

• To what extent does perceived leadership function and to ascertain how it can enhance efficiency.
• To what extent does it appraise the role of leadership in an organization and also the process.
• To what extent does the procedure of leadership in an organization and evaluate its effectiveness in realization of management objectives.
• To what extent does problems hinder perceived leadership in an organization and seek possible ways of solving such problems.

---

1.5. Significance of the Study

The significance of the result of any study can be seen in its contribution to the improved performance, Innovation, solution, and new ideas, professional secretaries need some degree of satisfaction to be on the job, so that they can give their maximum best.

Hence, the findings will enable the Management of ANAMMCO, Emene, Enugu to establish a system of motivation, training and retraining professional secretaries, since it follows that employers will value any behaviour that increase efficiency, especially Nigerian mentality that government work means no body's work and so no body should be concerned about it.

The findings will also offer Organizations helpful suggestions towards the handling of problems therefore, making Organizations know that if secretaries are well motivated, it will make for efficiency in the job performance which leads to the attainment Organizational goals.

---

1.6. Scope of the Study

This study is limited to ANAMCO Limited Emene, Enugu.

---

1.7 Limitation of Study

Consequently, due to categories of secretaries, One cannot easily carned the researcher easily, so I am limitating my area of study at ANAMCO Emere, Enugu.

Furthermore, time is limited since the researcher is reading for her final year examination as well as carrying out project researcher.

Time become a constraint.

---

1.8 Definitions of the Terms:

Professional secretary are those who have successfully completed a course with shorthand and Typewriter, with speeds of 120/130 per minutes in secretarial studies. They are senior secretarial Assistant (HND).

In addition, professional secretary act as liaison between his Boss and the rest of the company. Some times as a bugger you may ask to perform task, beside the professional role. For example arranging conference calls and scheduling meetings, they may hands more complex responsibilities such as conducting research, preparing statistical reports, training employees, and supervising other clerical staff.