THE IMPACT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ON ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCE (A CASE STUDY OF NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SERVICE COMMISSION, ABUJA)

 

ABSTRACT

Globally, information technology has become a key element in economic development of many countries in the world. Over the years, many innovations have taken place in the world, the most striking and most celebrated is the aspect of information technology. This proposed study is to be carried out to ascertain the impact of information technology on organizational performance.  Questionnaires and Oral Interview methods will be used to obtain data for the study and the random sampling procedure will be used also in the selection of respondents from the organizations under study. Simple percentage method of data analysis and chi-square statistics test will be used in analyzing the data obtained. The researcher will commence the write-up with an introduction, statement of the problem, objectives of the study and significance of study. This will be followed by literature review and theoretical framework. The research methodology, data presentation and analysis will be presented thereafter. The study will end with conclusion and recommendations.

 

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

Information communication technology has played a prominent role in all areas of human life but the breakthrough of social progress and the vigorous development in technology has immeasurably increased the role of information in every facet of human life. The application of information technology concept, techniques, policies and implementation strategies to organizations services has therefore become a subject of fundamental importance as it concerns all organizations and a prerequisite for local and global competitiveness.

Organizations today are confronted with rapidly changing environment condition indicated by high and strong competitors. Under these conditions, traditional management approaches that focus on analytical planning methods are considered to be insufficient for effectively steering the organization in dynamic environment. Information Technology which is synonymous with computer communication technology in everyday language can be defined as technologies that facilitates the information cycle, comprising gathering, processing, disseminating and storing of information and as such information technology encompasses a wide range of technologies such as telephone, computer, word processing application, web browser, servers, full text document, database and main frame computers. Its devices especially modern computer email facilities and internet has therefore strengthened early modernizations such as fax and telephone. Other technology devices include data recognition equipment, telecommuting and teleconferences using real time and services (Adeoti, 2005).

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Information Technology is seen as the book-bone of every organization and could also be referred to as the life-line of the economy. A broad opening in technology has been experienced in many organizations and they are currently taking advantage of these innovations to provide better improved services that enhance productivity (Akinuli, 1999; Ovia,2005). This proposed project will therefore find out the role or impact which the adaption of information technology has had on the vast majority operations of organizations in Nigeria. It will provide a basis or proposed recommendations which can be re-adjust to the threats, opportunities, features technological competition and contingencies. According to Milgrom and Roberts (1990) they argued that to be successful, firms typically need to adopt information technology as part of a “system” or “cluster” of mutually reinforcing organizational approaches.

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The general purpose of this proposed study is to examine the role of information technology in organizations in Nigeria. “National Assembly Service Commission, Abuja” is used as a case study for this proposed research project. The proposed study specifically aims to determine the significant role of information technology in organizations in Nigeria. It will examine how information technology has enhanced their services, determine the effect of information technology in the process and operation of Nigerian organizations. It will evaluate the extent to which job satisfaction of the organizations has been influenced and affected ever since the introduction of modern information technology. In this regard the main objectives of this study will include:

i.        To determine the extent to which information technology has contributed to performance in organizations.

ii. To determine how skillful and knowledgeable organizations staff are in the use of information technology.

iii. To determine whether there is an increase in the level of efficiency and effectiveness of operations since the introduction of information and electronic technologies.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

Information technology has a major driving force to the development which has impacted positively in virtually every sector of the Nigerian economy. In the many organizations, the use of computers in their day to day operations in order to provide quality of service to their customers via the use of modern day technology cannot be overstressed. Information technology has also improved organizations knowledge about the use of computer and other gadgets.

Information technology has also enhanced government work via reliable infrastructure, skilled human resources, open government and other essential issues of capacity building and also developing centres to improve IT capabilities especially at zonal, state and local levels.

RESEARCH QUESTIONS

These research questions are guide and they serve as an objective for the researcher in the course of this proposed study:

i. To what extent does information technology has affected the performance of organizations in Nigeria.

ii. To what extent have information technology devices (computer, office automation) help organizaitons staffs in the operations of their duties.

iii.  What are the differences of when information technology was not use and now that is in use?

RESEARCH HYPOTHESES

In other to carry out this proposed research, the following hypotheses have been postulated; 1. The Null (H₀)Hypothesis

2. The Alternate (H₁)Hypothesis

The null hypothesis states a conjecture in a negative form while the alternative states a conjecture in a positive form (Izedonmi, 2005).

For the purpose of this proposed study, the hypotheses testing shall be stated thus: Hypothesis 1:

H₀: The use of information technology does not have a significant effect on the operation of organizations.

H₁: The use of information technology has a significant effect on the operation of organizations.

Hypothesis 2:

H₀: Information technology devices do not help organizations staffs effectively in the performance of their duties.

H₁: Information technology device has helped organizations staffs effectively in the performance of their duties.

SCOPE OF STUDY

This proposed research is concerned with the role of information technology on organizations in Nigeria using Nationals Assembly Service Commission, Abuja for the case study. This organization was certified worthy for this proposed research due to the high indulgence in I.T practices. The organization’s performance is weighted before and after the incorporation of information technology into the system.

LITERATURE REVIEW

Information technology simply refers to as the gathering, storing, manipulating and transferring information. It is the automation of process, controls and information production using computers, telecommunication, software and ancillary equipment. It is a term that generally covers the harnessing of electronic technology for the information needs of a organizations at all levels. Laudon D. and Laudon J. (2001), assert that Information and Communication Technology deals with the physical devices and software that link various computer hardware components and transfer data from one physical location to another.

Information Technology (IT) is the bedrock for national development in a rapidly changing global environment, and this challenges us to devise bold and courageous initiatives to address a host of vital socio-economic issues such as reliable infrastructure, skilled human resources, and other essential issues of capacity building.

As Gates (1995) put it, The personal computer has already had a huge effect on organizations. But its greatest impact won’t be felt until the PC’s inside and outside a company are intimately interconnected. The study here reveals that to achieve a successful and an effective communication organizations need to connect their computers to the internet via the use of networks such as Local Area Networks (LANs) or Wide Area Networks (WANs), with this network put in place, organizations staffs can work simultaneously on the same document either by sending or receiving emails internally, externally and from the rest of the world.

Ovia, (2000), also noted that organizations have improved basically on the deployment of information technology in their operations.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

This section describes the research design area of the research work intended to be carried out, population of the study, sample and sampling procedure / technique, instrument for data collection, method of data collection and method of data analysis. The proposed research will be carried out predominately on National Assembly Service Commission, Abuja and it is on this organization that the data will relate.

The type of research design that will be used in this proposed research work is descriptive survey. This descriptive survey will be used on the study “The Impact Of Information Technology On Organizational Performance (A case study of National Assembly Service Commission, Abuja)”.  The instrument for data collection will be interview and questionnaire as well as contributions from various writers.

SAMPLE AND SAMPLING PROCEDURE TECHNIQUE

In determining the sample size, selected persons will be administered with questionnaires and interview will be done by simple random sampling without replacement.

To get the opinion of the cross section of the workers, the researcher intends to divide the working population into various grades i.e senior staff level, supervisory staff level and junior staff level.

METHOD OF DATA COLLECTION

The researcher will take cognizance of the descriptive nature of the proposed research work and will apply it for the completion of the project. The main methods of data collection that will be considered will be primary and secondary data.

METHOD OF DATA ANALYSIS

The method of data presentation which will be used by the researcher is the tabular method and percentages. The tabular method involves the systematic arrangement of facts and figures in series of boxes made up of rows and columns.

The percentage will show relative values of responses in percentages and the researcher intends to use Chi-square (X²) formula in testing the validity of the hypotheses.

INSTRUMENT FOR THE DATA COLLECTION

The collection of data is the most crucial operation in the execution of a research because such data are necessary for arriving at the solution of the problem to be investigated. The instrument for data collection will be interview and questionnaire as well as contributions from various writers. The data to be used to carry out this research will be based on 2015 staff strength of National Assembly Service Commission, Abuja.

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

Based on the above, when the proposed research study is concluded, the researcher will be able to summarize the findings, make recommendation,  proffer solution where necessary  and make suggestions for further studies etc.

REFERENCE:

Adeoti, J.O (2005), “Information Technology Investment in Nigerian Manufacturing Industry: The Progress So Far”, Selected Papers for the 2004 Annual Conference, Ibadan: Nigerian Economic Society, p.213-244.

Akinuli, O.M. (1999), “Information Technology in Nigeria’s Banking Industry: Operational Applications, Problems and Future Challenges”, CBN Bullion, 23(3), 71-75.

Emmanuel, G. and Sife, A. (2008), Challenges of Managing Information and communication technologies for educational Experiences from Sokoine National Agricultural Library.

Frenzel, F.W. (1996), Management of Information Technology. Boyd and Fraser Publishing Co., Massachusetts.

Garbade, K.D. and Silber, W.L. (1978), “Technology, communications and the performance of financial market: 1840-1975, Journal of finance 33(3), pp.819-32.

Gates, B. (1995), The Road Ahead. Viking Penguin, London.

Hunton, J.E. and Flowers, L. (1997), „Information technology in accounting: Assessing the impact on accountants and organizations,‟ Advances in Accounting Information Systems, 5, 3-34.

Igwe, U.O. (2005), Harnessing information technology for 21st century library education in Nigeria. Library philosophy and practice 7 (2). Available: http://unllib.unl.edu/lpp/igwe.htm.