THE IMPACT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ON BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Background Of The Study

According to Akuwudike H.C & Ugwu O.I (2002:144), information is to business organization what blood circulating system is to human body. This is consequent upon the fact that decisions are based on information for effective decision making and effective execution of these decisions, there must be constant information flow. Hence, information is a very valuable commodity in organization as it helps to reduce uncertainty.

Effiong H. ETUKUDO (2002:180-181) said that information technology originated with mathematicians and engineers and draws heavily on concepts from these fields but with advances in brain research (experts ssyetm), it has now been used in linquistics and psychological studies and research.

The first writing in the world was invented by Egyptian priests around four thousand B.C, at first, the writing was a series of whole pITure, which were drawn to tell stories. The priests wrote with a red pen and made ink by mitting soot and gum with water.

Another writer, Gidoen Imoh (1996:151) explains that the old talking drums, gongs etc were also used to send out information. In emergency situations, a section of the forest could be set or fire to warn people of impending or sudden enemy attack. All these various means of receiving, storing and sending information in the ancient time have been replaced by the vast array of machines in the modern world, this is called information technology.

According to Gideon Imoh (1996:153), the invention of the printing machine by a German called John Guttenberg, the calculating machine invented by Charles Babbage in 1855, the typewriter invented in 1867 by the sholes brothers of America, the invention of the telephone in 1976 by a scot Alexandra Graham Bell, the invention of radio in 1895 by marches marcini, the television in 1922 by Johnlogis Baird, the invention of the protographinc machine in 1826 by Joseph Nicce have presented a turn around changes in organization cultures and the ways of doing things into new ways.

Information technology has enabled business organizations to benefit from its array of products especially in the provision of services like E-mail, Internet etc through the aquisiition of E-mail addresses and websites.

From the earliest time to the modern time, precisely, the twenty-first century, information technology has spanned three distinct stages:

• Primary stage: Use of human labor
• Secondary stage: Use of electrical machines
• Tertiary stage: Use of electronics machines.

The modern age is aptly called the machine age. This is true in the light of the number less communication gadgets and information equipments that have flooded the market. But the greatest of this revolution is the computer, which has now revolutionized the modern business world.

1.2 Statement of the Study

Information technology has given birth to many complex machines some of which are beyond the operational scope of an average business man. Only few businessmen can afford the high cost of training required to operate these machines.

Moreover, the costs of acquiring the machines are very exorbitant. The exchange rate of the naira is too down to earth when compared with other major currencies of the world like the American dollars, British pound set the high cost of machines is almost defeating the goal of information technology.

Another problem associated with information technology is maintenance and servicing of these machines. All these machines are manufactured in highly technologically advanced countries such as France, Japan etc. The user nations such as Nigeria lack the expertise and technical know-how to maintain and service the machines. When these machines break-down, the business can no longer use them and the operations of that business are greatly impaired.

Another great problem is that the information technology is an ever-changing sea. The rate at which the manufacturers and producers turn out these machines overwhelms stakeholders in the business world. As new discoveries are made, new machines are manufactured with their attendant different operational procedures. This keeps stakeholders on their toes as they are un-sure about what is to replace the present machines.

1.3 Objective/Purpose Of The Study

The main objective of this study is to identify the impact of information technology on business administration and management. In addition, the study will also try:

1. To find out the true meaning of business in the modern world.
2. Identify what information technology is all about
3. Find out the information needed at various levels of management
4. Find out the consideration made in choosing information technology equipments is in business organization.
5. To find out the various information machines used in business administration and management.
6. To make recommendation on ways and means to making information technology more efficient and effective.

1.4 Research Questions

• What is the true meaning of business in the modern world?
• What is information technology all about?
• What is the information needed at the various levels of management at NITEL?
• What are the considerations made in choosing information technology equipment in business organization?
• What is the various information technology equipment used by NITEL in Nigeria?

1.5 Research Hypothesis

The following hypothesis has been advanced for the purpose of this study:

Hypothesis One

Ho: Information technology does not have any direct impact on business administration and management.

Hi: Information technology has direct impact on business administration and management.

Hypothesis Two

H0: The machines of information technology used in business administration and management do not require effective handling.

Hi: The machines of information technology used in business administration and management require effective handling.

1.6 Significance Of The Study

This research work will be relevant and beneficial to the following people:

Stake holders: It is hoped that through this study, the stakeholders in the information industry would be enlightened in terms of knowledge, qualification, experience and performance appraisal.

Higher Institutions of learning: It will highlight the need for higher institutions of learning and other agencies engaged in the training and of computer or information services to combine theory with practical. This can only be made possible if those schools and agencies procure the machines themselves.

The society: The larger society will benefit from this study in that it will educate them on the many sides to information technology and its effectiveness in business administration and management in the modern business world.

The Government: This study will be of significance to the government with respect to policies on the importation of information equipments. The high costs of these machines are consequent upon the high tariff imposed on the machines, cost of the machines became less and therefore affordable.

Further learning: This study no doubt will contribute to learning and then add to the frontiers of knowledge.

1.7 Scope / Delimitation of the Study

This study is limited to the impact made by information technology on business administration and management. It covers both the positive and negative impact of information technology.

The Nigerian telecommunication Plc, Enugu branch, Opkara Avenue was used as case study, Operators of the various machines used in information services who are the major stakeholders in the information industry were also interviewed.

1.8 Limitation of the Study

During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:

1. Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
2. Establishment Policies: Establishment policies posed a serious limitation as most staffs are not ready to release information needed for this project work. There were lots of information needed from the staffs of this institution to enhance the study which took them time to release or they did not release at all for security purposes, hence the scope was reduced.
3. Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
4. Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.

1.9 Definition of Terms

Owing to the multiplicity of meanings of words in certain cases, the research needed to give certain words used in the study their contextual meanings.

Information: This is data that have been processed into a form which is meaningful to the recipient and which is of a perceived value of both current or prospective decision and action by the recipient.

Technology: It is the scientific knowledge used in practical ways in industry for example in designing new machines.

Data: There is raw, unanalyzed facts such as number, name or quantities

File: This is a group of related data of information.