THE EFFECT OF COMPUTER REVOLUTION AND ITS PROSPECT ON SECRETARIAL ROLE

Chapter One
1.1 Background of the Study
It was quite interesting how the past society managed to reached this modern era with the non-system (computer) reliance in the ICT, as all this practices back in the days where analogical with little or no ICT assistance. One of the technology that have the greatest impact on our society today is “computer technology”, it’s rapid growth in computer with its attendant, socio economic and political effects are being felt daily. Telecommunication efficiency would thus be impossible without the Automatic electronic computer. Computer facilitates scientific research, development, and international business, also depends on it.
In a very real since, the computer is a vital tool for management decision making processes. Technology has evolved the functions of the secretary to rely on different types of improved and standardized equipment. It has devised varied stages and concept far factitive productivities within and outside the organization. The single availability of both the human resources and technological equipment facilities is in-complete for any stage and level of implementation. However, an effective combination of both factors will achieve the desired goals or result.
Lucy (2001), has this say about the computer as one of the technologies, it the acquisition, processing, storage and dissemination of vocal, pectoral, textural and numerical information by a micro-electrics based combination of computing and telecommunication while Ononagbo (2002) noted that “computer as one of the information technology, is now a revolution which has penetrated almost all filed of human activities thus, trans forming our economics, it is clear that the issue of study of computer literacy refers tot eh host of system, equipment and material essentially which are used to achieve the set goals of a secretary functions of an office such as obtaining staring, processing and destruction will productivity.

In the past, centuries, secretaries keep important documents or mails in their files or drawers. These files will be kept in the file cabinet as the storage facility and this process will be in progress for years. Although these facts are kept at a stage some of these documents may get too old and tore, it can get lost or the cabinet may not contain it any longer thereby leading to its relocation. Also another worker in the organization may take away an important document without the secretary’s knowledge. Further, stones and sticks were initially used as counting tools or machine before the industrial revolution. Charles Babbage who invented the first calculating machine fore see the ineffectiveness of using the Abacus method of calculation. Computer came into existence with the help of the Harvard University coupled with the idea of Babbage with the experience gained from the use of punched cared machine. The first electric computer was build in 1944 and it was called the Electronic Numerical Integrator and calculator (ENIC. Over the years, (during the 19th and 20th century) business officers have been under going the process of computerization in terms of installing computers and other modern equipment in pace of old And absolute ones. This computerization process started in Europe after the industrial revolution and has since gone round the world including Nigeria.
Moreover, the duties of modern secretaries in offices and the use of computer revolves round the secret for the achievement of organizational goals because a modern office that does not have this computer may not achieve their goals effectively. A modern secretary is a person who possesses a mastery of office skills who demonstrate the ability to assume responsibilities without supervision, who exercises initiatives and judgment and who make decisions within the scope of assigned authority with the knowledge of computers. Today most offices have been computerized and it is the secretaries that manipulates these equipments in the course of discharging their duties effectively. The question now is “To what extent does the use of computer effect the job performance of modern secretaries in terms of efficiency, quality of work done reduces mistakes in circulation and gives offices efficient cost effect analysis that would be nearly impossible with manual operations. The effects of the computer literate on the modern secretaries than becomes an issue of discussion. Computerized technology is more powerful, more versatile and more flexible than the mechanical technology that the world has now outgrown. In the rapidly changing world where information technology and the electronic office is fast becoming a reality, secretaries cannot be pleased and rely on their basic office skills or secretarial training. Although skills and discipline will be necessary, the ability to be conversant with word processors, computer, desktop publishing equipment and computer application and future innovations will be an essential requirement. Introduction of computer technology improves the secretarial skills and experience. Office work is the area of business which has been most influenced by computer and micro processor. Secretarial work requires the use of word processor, printer and monitors to control their operations and it also help artists, scientist, engineers, accountants, etc. computers are vital to the secretaries in their management systems and storage of information. In spite of this computer age, some secretaries are still carrying out their duties manually without the aid of computers because they are completely ignorant of the usefulness of the computer. This research therefore is carried out in order to carefully identify how computer literacy can help modern secretaries and how it will effect their duties.
1.2 Statement of Problem
Since the introduction of computer into the business world, secretaries now find it difficult to cope with the latest development in micro age. Because there are many problems associated with the use of computer. According to Terry (1970:155) stated that the problems associated with the use of computer is heavily with the
cost of maintenance. The cost of repairing and maintaining computer are so high that most of them are dumped in the office making secretaries who are acquainted with them handicapped to tackle their job according to the it’s revolution. Recurrent expenses in the form of cost of stationery, ink, training of staff and special pay for such staff are problems encounters in procuring computer Onasanya (1990:248). He further said that computer reduces inefficiency on the part of the secretary, problems such as delay in production due to break down of the machines arises. Also modern secretaries without computer literate find it difficult to cope or perform their duties well in a modern office. Many modern office now no longer employ any secretary without computer literate. Again, the old system of filing or storage has been phased out since the introduction of computers in to the business world. Some modern secretaries cling to the use of manual machine due to their ignorant of the usefulness of computer because of their lack of knowledge of it. Hence her interest for this study to identify the effects of computer literacy on modern secretaries.
1.3 Aim and Objectives
The aim of study is to identify the effects of computer revolution and it’s prospects on secretarial roles using Gombe Local Government Secretariat as the focal point.
Specifically, the study entitled the following objectives:
i. To identify the effects of computer revolution on the job performance of modern secretaries.
ii. To Find out whether computer revolution positively effects the modern secretaries who are computer literate.
iii. To Identify whether the revolution of computer facilitates the work of modern secretaries.
iv. To Find out the significance of computer revolution and its prospects to modern secretaries.
1.4 Research Questions
To achieve the above objectives, five research questions were formulated and the research will provides answers to the following research questions.
i. Do computer revolutions have effects on the job performance of modern secretaries?
ii. Do modern secretaries who are not computer literate be employed in a modern office?
iii. Do revolution and prospects of computer appraise the work of secretaries?
iv. Do computer revolution have any importance to modern secretaries?
1.5 Significance of the Study
This study is going to identify the effects of computer revolution and its prospects on secretarial role in modern office, to recommend solutions for the up-liftmen of everybody in business and for the growth of Nigerian economy as well as implement benefit/significant to secretarial role in the government authorities, academic schools, organizations.
1.6 Scope and Limitation of the Study
This research is focused on an identification of the effects of computers revolution and its prospects on secretaries in Gombe Local Gov’t Secretariat but not limited to the use of observation which were employed to assess both view of the senior secretaries and junior secretaries and the top managers that work directly with the secretaries.
1.7 Definition of the terms
The Effect:- a change which is a result or consequence of an action or other cause.
Computer Revolution:- Also known as a digital revolution, a computer revolution is a point in time at which computers make a significant change to human civilization. There's been roughly four computer revolutions over the last century, each of which are described below.
Prospect:- the possibility or likelihood of some future event that is occurring.
Secretarial Role:- Managing diaries and scheduling appointments. Booking meeting venues and making travel arrangements. Taking minutes at meetings.
The Secretary:- is responsible for: Ensuring meetings are effectively organized and minuted; Maintaining effective records and administration


 
Chapter Two
2.1 Literature Review
A computer is a digital electronic machine that can be programmed to carry out sequences of arithmetic or logical operations (computation) automatically. Modern computers can perform generic sets of operations known as programs. These programs enable computers to perform a wide range of tasks. A computer system is a "complete" computer that includes the hardware, operating system (main software), and peripheral equipment needed and used for "full" operation. This term may also refer to a group of computers that are linked and function together, such as a computer network or computer cluster.
A broad range of industrial and consumer products use computers as control systems. Simple special-purpose devices like microwave ovens and remote controls are included, as are factory devices like industrial robots and computer-aided design, as well as general-purpose devices like personal computers and mobile devices like smartphones. Computers power the Internet, which links billions of other computers and users.
Early computers were meant to be used only for calculations. Simple manual instruments like the abacus have aided people in doing calculations since ancient times. Early in the Industrial Revolution, some mechanical devices were built to automate long tedious tasks, such as guiding patterns for looms. More sophisticated electrical machines did specialized analog calculations in the early 20th century. The first digital electronic calculating machines were developed during World War II. The first semiconductor transistors in the late 1940s were followed by the silicon-based MOSFET (MOS transistor) and monolithic integrated circuit (IC) chip technologies in the late 1950s, leading to the microprocessor and the microcomputer revolution in the 1970s. The speed, power and versatility of computers have been increasing dramatically ever since then, with transistor counts increasing at a rapid pace (as predicted by Moore's law), leading to the Digital Revolution during the late 20th to early 21st centuries.
Conventionally, a modern computer consists of at least one processing element, typically a central processing unit (CPU) in the form of a microprocessor, along with some type of computer memory, typically semiconductor memory chips. The processing element carries out arithmetic and logical operations, and a sequencing and control unit can change the order of operations in response to stored information. Peripheral devices include input devices (keyboards, mice, joystick, etc.), output devices (monitor screens, printers, etc.), and input/output devices that perform both functions (e.g., the 2000s-era touchscreen). Peripheral devices allow information to be retrieved from an external source and they enable the result of operations to be saved and retrieved.

    Date: 2026-08-05 00:00:00.000000