ABSTRACT
The major purpose of this study was to identify ICT competencies required by office managers in a financial institution. The population of the study consists of 30 mangers from union Bank, Fidelity Bank, UBA Bank, Diamond Bank, NITEL and MIZ Enterprise. Out of the 30 Managers, since the population was too small it was also used as the sample random. Descriptive statistics such as mean score, tables and figures was used to analyzed the questionnaire items. The major findings of the study were that ICT competencies required by office managers are internet competencies, word processing competencies, record management competencies, telephone competencies. Meanwhile it was discovered that ICT enhance communication, eliminate time, reduce costs and ensure effective maintenance. It was concluded that office managers are required to acquire ICT competencies in order to handle their duties effectively. Based ion this, some recommendations were made.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
In the financial institution secretaries occupy a very important place in Nigeria and the world economy. Because their imagination of many people has been captured by the concept of the electronic office and the media has given the topic considerable coverage in both general and business terms. Secretaries have a lot of problems to contend with and solve in the office because of the modern and sophisticated. For these and other reasons, the researcher is to look into the information communication Technology (ICT) competences required by modern secretaries in the financial institution
The engagement, maintenance and the retention of qualified secretaries to cope with the ever increasing demands of corporate activities seems to be of interest to every organization. However, machines and the harnessing of natural resources is progressing relieving humanity from the distress of an oppressing heavy physical foil and is affording improved opportunity for the development of the mind and spirit. This is a challenging opportunity which in a null-shell can be referred to as an office automation which information communication technology (ICT) in an integral part of.
The researcher therefore, examines the importance of some major equipment found in offices and how they help the secretaries in the day to day running of her duties no doubt the following questions must readily come to ones mind what is information communication Technology? Who is a secretary and the importance of information communication Technology (ICT)
The importance of Information Communication Technology to a secretary cannot be over emphasized. Information communication technology had helped the secretary perform her duties with such ease and confidence as never before. I allows her to carry-out such routine duties as filing, typing of form letters, making copies, correcting errors with each done quickly and neatly, thus giving her enough time to do other duties, like attending her boss’s personal affairs, attending to visitors, answering telephone calls and carrying out other administrative duties on behalf of her boss.
Organization can now competently handle the increase volume of paper work despite rising costs. Work can be easily measured, to enable them justify investment on equipment and effectively utilize their most expensive resources, staff, as well as achieving cost saving organization will produce a better, faster service and prevent highly professional image to the corporate competitors and the public.
The manager benefits from the rapid turnover of paper work and indirect from the traditional support available for them. If the managers should wish to use it, the secretary will feed from so much typing. Information communication (ICT) helps executives makes more effective use of their time and relieve them of a lot of checking and proof reading. They would also be in a better position to consider delegating come work of their work in that they now have secretaries and administrative support more readily available.
According to Adeyemi (1999), Information Communication and Technology is a systematic body of tools, techniques, and infrastructure for generating, collecting, storing, processing and transmitting data information and communication Technology is the discipline encompassing computer systems telecommunication networks and multimedia application. Everyone knows that information and communication Technology deals more on the computer and it has become ubiquitous in ICT competencies required by modern secretaries in financial institution over the past decade or so. So computer is a machine which runs on logic. Our reactions to them, however, often involve blinds faith and false perception. The huge scale of the investment in hardware and support services can lead to an assumption that there is an implicit value in ICT. Uwaje, (2001), ever since this unparallel innovation of the 1940’s man has made a long leap in technology and communication, and has since advanced considerably scientifically and economically.
Igwegbe, (2000) noted that the last century recorded a major parading shift in the way organizations desire Optimize performance and profitability. ICT was and is still the key enable this new way of working that has transformed the business 9enable by information) determines who leads and who trails
Uwaje, (2002) found that , the information Technology comprising internet has turned our global village into a well furnished mansion equipped with the world’s library of infinite information and communication. The internet has so many other features like, the electronic mail (e-mail) which provides a fast economical and convenient way to and message to family, friends and colleagues. Other includes e-news (Electronic news, E-Commerce (Electronic commerce) ATM (Automated Teller Machine) to work exchange information and communication simultaneously earth wide and in a couple of age.
The information and communication Technology machine has helped the secretaries immensely in her duty. It increases productivity in the office. Hostings (1987) agrees with this in itself has increase the productivity of a secretary. Harding (1985) said that secretaries gain in that they have at their disposal a sophisticated tool capable of tasking a drudgery and boredom of routine, repetitive work, enabling them to be more creative. ICT not only increase productivity but also reduces cost and removes much of the tedious work of the secretary. There seems to to be different definitions for the terms “secretary” pitman (1977) stated that a “secretary is one who acts as the confidential assistant to another or who conducts the communications and private aspect of an executive work. Gatenby and Wakefield (1973), looks at the secretary “as the person who is employed by another to help in various ways. A secretary writes letters, makes appointments for those who wish to interview her employer, keeps records etc. and is often called “a private secretary”
ICT COMPETENCIES REQUIRED BY OFFICE MANAGERS IN A FINANCIAL INSTITUTION
