1.1 Introduction
Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) is a broader term for Information Technology (IT), which refers to all communication technologies, including the internet, wireless networks, cell phones, computers, software, middleware, video-conferencing, social networking, and other media applications and services enabling users to access, retrieve, store, transmit, and manipulate information in a digital form. ICTs are also used to refer to the convergence of media technology such as audio-visual and telephone networks with computer networks, by means of a unified system of cabling (including signal distribution and management) or link system. However, there is no universally accepted definition of ICTs considering that the concepts, methods and tools involved in ICTs are steadily evolving on an almost daily basis (FAO, 2021).
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, Limitation of the study and Definition of terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has become a major tool for gaining competitive advantage in the corporate world and as such has been integrated into the operations of most high performing organizations in every economy. A recent policy note released by the World Bank says that information and communication technologies (ICTs) are transforming the world of work, creating new job opportunities and making labour markets more innovative, inclusive, and global. ICTs are influencing employment both as an industry that creates jobs and as a tool that empowers workers to access new forms of work, in new and more flexible ways (Samuelson, 2008).
In this fast growing and moving world faced with globalization, the core of economic development today depends on knowledge and technology but successful economic excel at generating and disseminating knowledge, as well as exploiting it. Technology is the engine that change transforms resources based economy to knowledge based economy. But at the macro level, technology enables national leverage in the modern world and it brings about wealth and better welfare for the people.
In as much as development is concerned, this is now a new trend of religion that is sweeping across the world like a wild fine in both length and breath and hereby transforming across the entire world as a global unit.
Information and communication technology (ICT) is not merely seen as hardware development but also as software, which is advantageous in the changing works, attitude to work, in establishing efficiency in business transaction, in achieving efficiency in communication, increasing profits in creating new jobs and effective in mass education (Ohakwe, 2001).
Information Technology (ICT) has applications in almost all spheres of human endeavours. Akpore (2005) states that developing suitable economy through information technology implies that applying information and communication technology in all the main sectors of the economy hence the world is transiting from being a resource based one into a knowledge based one. Such natural resources can provide as much s it can be realized from the output of a society that has truly become knowledge based society.
Consequently, the introduction and use of such technologies in communication and information such as internet, computers, micro-electronics, telecommunication tools as the email, e-commerce, e-banking just to mention but a few, even many educators and students in higher institutions are yet to be in abreast with some of these soft and hardware. What an education tragedy (Ohakwe, 2001). Recently, in e-learning, that is electronic learning, project embarked by Zinox Technology across 40 institutions of higher learning with the aim to train Nigerian undergraduates to international acceptable students.
Coming to the heels of computerizing, Nigeria thereby taking this venture to all the nook and crannies of this country, hence the establishment of information and communication technology parks in institutions of higher education with Imo State inclusive therefore, it becomes increasing to determine the information and communication technology in today's business environment in Imo State.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that the information and communication technology (ICT) as a new trend in linking several African university to the global village with ultra modern world class information and communication technology tool is aimed at capacity building, youth empowerment, expert information and technology skills in the country and in the long run as a lunch pad from attracting global out-sourcing opportunities for Nigerians with graduates in particular.
Therefore, this approach towards capacity building as an effective model to bring training, technology and digital access to people within these geographical education and the need for effective global competitiveness. But in higher institution in Imo state, especially the universities polytechnics, this approach towards capacity building seems to be a far coy. As much information and communication technology (ICT) is not seen either to be talked about or thought, its existence and usage among the students are nothing to write home about. Even the skills required in the application is very shaking on its foundation thereby using the yesterday's knowledge abilities, competence in today's educational sector. Therefore, learning their undergraduates grouping as far as modern and the things t information and communication technology (ICT) is concerned.
Based on the foregoing, the researcher was motivated on ascertain the information and communication.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to evaluate the Impact of Information and Communication Technology on Today’s Business Environment in Imo State and implicating for national development. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To identify areas of sustenance of information and communication technology (ICT) opens to the students of today’s business environment;
- To identify hindrances to teaching and learning information and communications;
- To determine the implications of information and communication technology (ICT) for nation development; and
- To examine the level of knowledge and skills needed by undergraduates in the area of information and communication technology (ICT) in today's business environment.
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:
- What are the areas of existence of information and communication technology (ICT) in today's business environment in Imo State?
- What are the implications of information and communication technology (ICT) for national development?
- What are the hindrance to the teaching and learning information and communication technology (ICT) in today's business environment in Imo State?
- What is the level of knowledge and skills needed by undergraduates in the areas of information and communication technology (ICT) in today's business environment in Imo State?
1.6 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 significant level of knowledge and skills needed by undergraduates in the area of ICT in today's business environment
- H1: There is significant level of knowledge and skills needed by undergraduates in the area of ICT in today's business environment
Hypothesis Two
- H0: There is no significant factor hindering the teaching and learning ICT in today’s business environment in Imo State
- H1: There is significant factor hindering the teaching and learning ICT in today’s business environment in Imo State
1.7 Significance of Study
The study will be of great benefits and assistance to institutions of higher learning. The government and other state holders and in education in Imo State through their position in the global world as far as information and communication technology (ICT) is concerned as to impact the greatest information and communication technology skill in their undergraduates.
It also highlighted the numerous benefits according to information and technology, which will encourage the population under study to enable full information and communication technology (ICT) system. More so, it will help in guiding the national board for technical education and national institution where office workers like secretaries and trainees. The information obtained will enable them update their curriculum and increase their training facilities.
1.8 Scope of Study
The scope of this research is focused on the Impact of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) on Today’s Business Environment. This study is restricted to ICT in universities and polytechnics in Imo State and implications for national development.
1.9 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- 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.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
- Lack of Initial Cooperation from Respondents: A particular limitation of this work came as a result of the respondent refusal to offer their cooperation at the initial time they were contacted. This contributed in making the success of this research study difficult.
1.10 Definition of Terms
Information:
This is defined as a processed data.
Communication:
The imparting or exchanging of information by speaking, writing, or using some other medium.
Technology:
It is the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in industry.
Internet:
It is a global computer network providing a variety of information and communication facilities, consisting of interconnected networks using standardized communication protocols.
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