ABSTRACT
There have been
remarkable changes in office machines and the organization. Despite these
challenges there are still challenges that are being faced which have an
adverse effect on organization productivity. It is on this regards that this
study is embarked upon. “Availability of office equipment and its effect on
office workers’ productivity”, benefit of using the office equipment, its level
of availability in the organization and the problem associated with the
procurement and maintenance of office equipment in the organization was
discussed. It was discovered that the office equipment is expensive and
difficult to maintain. Five objectives of the study out of research question
work drawn. A review of related literature was carried out, data work collected
from 98 respondents from the organization through structured questionnaire.
Using Arithmetic mean for data analysis and interpretation, it was discovered
that office equipment enhance production and most organizations are come by
converting their office to a modern automated office by enforcing the use of
technological and digital office equipment which has enhanced productivity. The
researcher recommends among other things to acquire skills and knowledge should
be made available to enable employees to remain excessively productive to their
employer.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title
page - - - - - - - - - i
Declaration
- - - - - - - - ii
Approval
page - - - - - - - - iii
Dedication
- - - - - - - - iv
Acknowledgement
- - - - - - - v
Abstract - - - - - - - - - vi
List
of tables - - - - - - - - vii
CHAPTER ONE- Introduction
1.1 Background of the study- - - - - - - 1
1.2 Statement of the problem - - - - - - 6
1.3 Purpose of the study - - - - - - -
8
1.4 Research questions - - - - - - -
9
1.5 Significance of the study - - - - - - 9
1.6 Scope of the study - - - - - - - - 11
1.7 Limitation of the study - - - - - - -
11
1.8 Definition of terms - - - - - - - - 12
CHAPTER TWO: Literature Review
2.1 Introduction- - - - - - - - - 14
2.2 Office Equipment of Concept - - - - - - 15
2.3 Classification of Office Equipment- - - - - 17
CHAPTER THREE: Research Methodology
3.1 Introduction- - - - - - - - - 47
3.2 Area of study- - - - - - - - - 48
3.3 Population for the study- - - - - - - 48
3.4 Sample size- - - - - - - - - 49
3.5 Method of Data Collection- - - - - - - 49
3.6 Instrument for Data Collection- - - - - - 49
3.7 Validation of Instrument- - - - - - - 50
3.8 Administration of Instrument - - - - - - 50
3.9 Data Analysis Technique- - - - - - - 51
CHAPTER FOUR: Data Analysis and interpretation
4.1 Introduction- - - - - - - - - 52
4.2 Data Presentation - - - - - - - - 53
4.3 Major finding- - - - - - - - - 61
4.4 Discussion of Findings - - - - - - - 60
CHAPTER FIVE: Summary, Conclusion and
Recommendations
5.1 Introduction - - - - - - - - - 64
5.2 Summary- - - - - - - - - 64
5.3 Conclusion - - - - - - - - - 65
5.4 Recommendations - - - - - - - 67
5.5 References - - - - - - - - - 69
LIST
OF TABLES
TABLE 3:1 population size
TABLE 4:1 Respondents view on the types of equipment
available in the organization
TABLE 4:2 Respondents opinion on workers achievement of
maximum productivity from the equipment
TABLE: 4:3 Respondents view on the
procurement/maintenance of office equipment
TABLE: 4:4 Respondents opinion on how adequately the
furniture/fitting use in the organization
TABLE: 4:5 Respondents opinion on the effect of office
equipment on company productivity.
CHAPTER
ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the study
An
office equipment have gone beyond manual typewriter, ink, pot, local storage
facilities etc. into more complicated and effective modern office equipment.
Some organization has embraced and purchases some of this equipment while
others has not. In light of the above, the researcher decided to investigate
the availability of this equipment and its effect on workers productivity.
In
the early, age office activities which include paperwork was done manually with
the use of machine such as manual typewriter, large duplicating machine,
collating machine etc. These later developed into new modern office equipment
due to the disadvantage which includes noise, bulkiness, lack of speed, waste
of energy, time and resources.
Today,
office equipment is required in every field of specialization, this is because
they facilitate clerical work and preparation of office documents. The use of
fax machines, WAP phones, teleprinters, internet and e-mail facilities etc. is
now the order of the day. These have now made the work of the office
professional more efficient than what it used to be and given rise to what is
now known as the modern office. Other equipment include punchers, staplers,
electric fan, air conditioners, enhanced furniture and fitting to create a more
comfortable and convenient work environment for office activities to be carried
out smoothly.
Mills
and Ford (2008), noted that office equipment enable workers to work with
minimum fatigue. It does not only increase efficiency but boost production
process which is the main objective of the organization. Office work is made
easier as less effort is put into achieve a greater result. An employee may not
have to go from one place to another but can easily sit at his table and carry
out his regular office activities. However, today’s office cannot be discussed
without relating to technology.
According
to Alli and Akinbi (1998), technology is an alteration in the life of an
equipment, character, knowledge and method of doing things. The impact of these
equipment resulted into acquisition of needed office professionals to
effectively operate these facilities in order to be relevant in their labour
market.
Pickard
(2006), also states that employees who feel good are likely to be more
productive. It is easy to instinctively understand that a few standard
equipment in the office will make it a nicer place to be for employees feel
better as a result. However, when the finance manager wants to know why
thousand of money is wasted every year on caring for a few office equipment, it
is difficult to effectively demonstrate the bottom line return on such an
investment.
Many
organizations are being driven by the value systems of office equipment rather
than its contribution to the organizations productivity. In recent times, employees learn to operate
new office equipment mainly through attending courses, trainings, workshop and
seminars during which manufacturers will introduce their products and
demonstrate by giving illustrations about their equipment to various operators.
Pickard
further stresses that the office is the center of social interaction and the
design provide better meeting rooms, open spaces and telecommunication
facilities demands serious attention. The stacking plans for the building are
equally important, an efficient office layout will take careful operational
advances to optimize the use of assets, facilities and function in use.
Boating
(1992) state that today’s modern office equipment depend largely on the use of
office equipments to maximize and increase organizational productivity. Office
equipment help in making office work easier, efficient and time saving and
ensures accuracy.
Watson
(1999), emphasizes that technology changes has tremendously made an impact in
various organizations especially with regards to the office. He points out that
office automation product looks nothing like it did just 10 years ago.
Outfitted with some of the most modern business systems and equipment, the
office today is a contemporary and strict place for business. The sound of
noisy and distracting equipment or unsightly machines is now a thing of the
past. The quality of output cannot be compared to what it looks like years ago.
Roger
(2008), points out that environment now resembles any peaceful environment that
you can easily relax in and not feel overwhelmed with huge and bulky machines.
Some of the hardware cannot be seen easily unless you look really hard.
However,
office professionals need to be trained to be acquainted with the use,
procurement and maintenance of existing office equipment as well as know its
relevance and benefits to the organization as a whole. This is to enable
organization face the challenges associated with it. This is because despite
the fact that the technology has changed and transformed the office to a better
one. There are still some problems and aspects that cannot be overlooked as a
result of those technological changes. The use of some of this equipment has
adverse effects on the operators and the organization in general; which can
also have effect on its production level.
The
equipment has more from the traditional age to the modern age and therefore,
there is need for the modern equipment to be available to the users. It is in
this regard that the study is embarked on which is titled “An Assessment of the
availability of the equipment and its effect on organization productivity.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
The impact
of the office equipment is of paramount importance to any organization.
However, there are some foreseeable problems along with the numerous advantages
of its existence. Many organizations do not put this into consideration
especially when it comes to organization productivity.
Office
equipment increases the rate of intra and inter office communication, however,
the cost of installation and keeping the equipment in a working state is
exorbitant. He pointed out that the initial cost outlay and maintenance of the
equipment will increase their expenses. As a result of this some organization
do not purchase or make use of them without checking the cost effect.
Office
professionals are not trained on the proper use of equipment or the various
maintenance procedure that is required of equipment. He reveals that since not
all products are manufacture or serviced by a single company, there should be a
list of who to call incase of emergencies. As a result of this the slightest
malfunction problem gets out of hand. There is no safety rule or training
measures given to employee on how to go about using equipment without it
affecting their health.
Many
organization do not provide adequate necessary equipment for their employees
even there is need for it, In some organizations these equipment, through they
exist strict measures, rules and protocols need to be followed as declared by
the management before employees can have full access to them.
There
is also the general problem which is the fact that the benefit of using office
equipment is not known to many organizations and as a result acquiring them is
not their priority. The aspects of cost of purchasing it is core viewed as
disadvantages and prefer to employ people to work instead of machine. This will
not enable the employees to perform their duties efficiently and will slow down
the production process.
In
the light of the foregoing, the researcher will answer the following questions:
1.
There are limited numbers of equipment that
are available and those that are available are obsolete.
2.
Does organization achieved maximum production
without the use of \equipment?
3.
Inadequate funding for procurement and
maintenance of office equipment?
4.
How adequate are the furniture/fitting within
the company?
1.3 Purpose of the study
The major purpose of
this study is to access the availability of office equipment and its effect on organizational
productivity. Specifically, the study indents:
1.
To find out the availability of office
equipment within Kaduna Polytechnic .
2.
To determine whether workers achieve maximum
production from the use of the equipment.
3.
To find out the problems associated with the
procurement and maintenance of office equipment.
4.
To verify the adequacy of furniture and
fitting as it affect workers productivity.
5.
To find out the Impact of office equipment on
company productivity.
1.4 Research Questions
The following research
questions will be addressed in the cause of this study.
1.
What types of office equipment are available
within the Kaduna Polytechnic?
2.
Do workers achieve maximum production from
the equipment?
3.
How are the problems encountered in
procurement and maintenance of office equipment?
4.
How adequate are the furniture/fittings
within the Kaduna Polytechnic for effective production?
5.
How does the provision of adequate of office
equipment impact on Kaduna Polytechnic productivity?
1.5 Significance of the Study
1. Modern
Business or Employers
This
study will be very important to the management of modern Kaduna Polytechnic and
other employee of labour. This is due to the fact that good office equipment
increases output and enhances the achievement of the set up goals. On the other
hand faulty equipment are capable of causing chaos and winding up of an office.
2. Potential
Applicants
The research work
will be relevant to applicants who intend to seek for employment in certain
office. They would therefore be fully sensitized through this study on the
knowledge and skills they should endeavour to acquired in the course of their
training. It will also enlighten them on the problems that they may face in the
office.
3. Practicing
Employees
This study will be
beneficial to those workers who are already working with the Kaduna Polytechnic.
Their attention will be drawn to some problems, which may affect the health,
productivities etc. this research will also help the workers to carry out their
work effectively with the use of modern office equipment to enable them perform
as it is expected.
4. Future
Researcher
This project will
serve as a guide and source of information for further research on this subject
matter or other related topics.
1.6 Scope of the Study
In
this survey study, the researcher intends to investigate and assess how the
office equipment is available in Kaduna Polytechnic. The study will determine
whether workers achieve maximum productions from the uses of these equipments.
It will expatiate to some extent, the problem associated with the procurement
and maintenance of office equipment.
The
researcher will intends to verify the adequacy of office future and fitting as
it affect workers productivity and to find out the impact of office
equipment on organization productivity.
1.7 Limitations of the Study
It is expected
that this study may experience the following limitations.
Firstly, this
work will not be able to study all the manufacturing company in Nigeria as such
this may in a way limit the scope of this study.
Secondly, it
expected that the management and staff of the selected firm may not want to
divulge certain data required for the study and this may in way reduce the
quality of data for the study. However, the researcher will try his best to
mitigate these limitations and others unforeseen ones. This will be done by
structuring and designing the instrument for data collection to elicit non
sensitive information from them.
1.8 Definition
of terms.
Equipment: office
equipment includes all items of machines and furniture that facilitates office
operation.
Copiers Per Minute:
that is copies that are done in with speed and can achieve great increase.
Traffic Cop:
controlling all the information flowing between the keyboard, the computer
itself, the printer and various other devices you may have connected.
Machine Technology:
involves the physical aspect of equipment processes and work layout.
Knowledge Technology:
are the actual methods, systems and procedures involved in carrying out the
work or converting input to output.
System board: is
the central processing unit that is CPU in the computer system, it processes
all data.
RAM: Random Access
Memory is the temporary storage device of the CPU. Data stored here can easily be erased where there is power
failure.
ROM: Read Only Memory,
is the permanent storage device of the CPU programme in the ROM cannot be
tempered with.
TIH and Swivel:
this is a device in the CPU that enables the notation of any given task.
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