1.1 Introduction
The office manager has a great impact on every modern business organizations. Aluiko (1998:10) asserted, an office manager is one that performs some or all the basic functions of management to some degree either regularly or occasionally. In addition to the above, an office manager can also be known and seen as one that controls or in charge of office machines and equipment and also does the work of an office without supervision.
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Shorthand, sometimes called stenography, is a system of writing by sound; that is phonography. The New Age Encyclopaedia (1977:455) defined shorthand as “an abbreviated system of writing that utilizes symbols or short alphabetic combinations to facilitate rapid recording of the spoken word”. It is thus the system of using signs and symbols to represent sounds. This has succeeded in promoting fast writing, labour saving and time-saving phenomena. As the adage says “time is business”. Shorthand writing facilities speed and saves a lot of time when taking down spoken words. It also makes possible a verbation record of spoken words as much the same time as the speaker speaks. The benefits of shorthand writing have enhanced its general acceptability and popularity in the world of business.
Aluiko (1998:10) asserted, an office manager is one that perform some or all the basic functions of management to some degree either regularly or occasionally. In addition to the above, an office manager can also be known and seen as one that controls or in charge of office machines and equipment and also does the work of an office without supervision.
Poor performance of duties and poor relationship with people (customers, co-workers, and sub-ordinates) can contribute to ruin the business or make the business to perform poorly. According to Nna (2011:109), effort must be made to make sure good human relationship are maintained in an organization. if the organization's goal and objectives must be achieved. Every modern business organizations cannot do without an office as it function as the centre of all information that goes out and comes in to the organization.
According to Nna (2011:4), the place where all activities of the organization take place is the “office”. No modern business organization can achieve it's goals without an office and the manager.
In the primitive age according to Nna (2011:19), business transactions were carried out without an office but through personal contacts and in their houses. But as a result of technological advancement, organizations cannot do without an office manager as a result of office machines and equipment that are bought and brought into the office which needs someone to control and manage it, the office manage became so important that the office cannot function by itself.
The office manager is saddled with a lot of responsibilities in the modern business organizations and offices as he also stand the task of advising his firms or organization on the type of machines and equipment that should be bought into the office that can enhance increase productivity and he also aid in thorough supervision of sub-ordinates.
Therefore, in Rivers State where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Role of Modern Office Managers and Irrelevant of Shorthand in the Era of Information Communication Technology.
1.3 Statement of the Problem
In recent times, shorthand writing enjoyed wide acceptability and applicability due to the benefits inherent in I its use. An advantage of shorthand lies in the area of its cost effectiveness. The system also helps in facilitating secrecy in business transaction and for quick recording and processing of information. The need for shorthand writers increased daily with the increase industrial and business activities. It was expected that in so far as business organizations exist; speeches being delivered; that shorthand shall continue to enjoy a pride of place in business offices.
Poor office management has greatly been a predicament in most offices or organization because most office task have been mishandled by incompetent hands, mostly these have greatly affected the productivity of the organization. The presence of an office manager is of great important to resolve these defilement and improve proper co-ordination and communication among staff.
Record keeping processes and task generated by the change of automated office management which in turn dictates changes in office procedures in order to maintain a flow of production in offices, poses a challenge to record managers.
Lack of training by the organizations has been a problem that the office managers face in the modern business organizations as a result of technological advancement, new machines and equipments are been brought into the organization which the office managers may need training in order to operate.
Lack of adequate equipment and working environment has greatly affected office managers in the cause of carrying out their duties in the office. Inadequate equipment in the office can lead to poor productivity, mal-functionality and errors in work processes and thereby giving wrong image of the organization and the office manager. Poor work environment such as noise, poor ventilation and lack of air conditioning in the office etc. All these have contributed to ineffective work performances and poor health conditions which will greatly affect his (office manager) work. These specially constituted a major problem, giving raise to this study.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of the Study
The aim or purpose of this study is to examine the Role of Modern Office Managers and Irrelevant of Shorthand in the Era of Information Communication Technology in Selected Organizations in Rivers State. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To determine whether shorthand still maintain its role as a vocational tool that enables the secretary to obtain and hold interesting and rewarding position in business.
- To find out how modern office automation has affected the office managers, in carrying out their duties.
- To eliminate the wrong impression of the public on the major function of the office manager.
- To examine the importance of modern equipment in the achievement of organizational goals.
- To find out the impact of an office manager in modern business organizations.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- Is the shorthand skill an indispensable tool to the practicing professional secretary?
- Has the advent of technology into modern business offices affected the application of the skill?
- Do secretaries enjoy taking shorthand?
- What are the wrong impressions of the public on the person of the office managers?
- To what extent has modern office automation affected the office managers?
- What are the importance of modern equipment on the achievement of organizational goals?
- What is the impact of office managers on modern business organizations?
- How is the office managers viewed in modern business organizations?
