ABSTRACT
Keyboarding skills as motor skills is defined as the ability of secretaries to key in information in the memories of the computer with minimum effort and energy use. The major aim of this study is to determine the impact of keyboarding skills on Job performance of secretaries in business enterprises. The specific objectives were to: Determine the relevance of keyboarding skill to secretary’s accuracy in minutes taking in a business enterprise; To analyze the relationship between keyboarding skills and secretary performance. The findings of this study will go a long way to correct the misconception and or confirm the belief of many organizations and institutions that keyboarding is an irrelevant skill to the practicing secretaries in automated a business enterprise especially in Nigeria. Through the findings of this research, relevant information regarding the benefits or otherwise of keyboarding skills would be revealed. Data was collected from two main sources; primary source. 50 secretaries selected from the Enterprises The researcher used questionnaire as the main instrument for the collection data and in some cases interviewed respondents to obtain the necessary data for the study. Finally research recommended that; Organizations and employers of labour should educate people on the relevance of keyboarding skills through appropriate seminars and workshops because keyboarding skills still serves as a means of confidential writing in close door meetings; Secretaries in the business enterprise should always learn to know more about keyboarding skills so that administrators can appreciate the use of these rare skills especially the aspect of good communication, speed, accuracy and confidentiality of handling office correspondence and matters.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title page i
Approval page ii
Declaration page iii
Dedication iv
Acknowledgement v
Table of content vi
Abstract vii
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 Introduction 1
1.1 Background Of The Study 1
1.2 Statement Of The Problem 3
1.3 Purpose Of The Study 3
1.4 Research Question 4
1.5 Significance Of The Study 4
1.6 Delimitation Of The Study 5
1.7
Definition of Terms 5
1.8 Plan
of the Study
6
CHAPTER
TWO
2.0 Review Of Related Literature 8
2.1 Theoretical Framework 8
2.2 Relevance Of Secretary
Keyboarding Skills In a Business Enterprise 12
2.3 Position Of Keyboarding
Skills And The Work Of Secretaries In A Business Entreprise 17
2.4 Office Equipment And The Secretary’s Productivity 20
2.5 Secretaries And Their Roles In Offices 23
2.6 Keyboarding Skill Levels For Secretaries 29
2.6.1 Fingers On The Keyboard 30
2.6.2 Function Keys And Associated Tasks 31
2.7 Importance Of Keyboarding Skills 32
2.8 Characteristics Of Secretaries 34
2.9 Duties Of Secretaries In Offices 35
2.10 Challenges Of Office
Secretaries In Business Entreprise 40
CHAPTER THREE
3.0 Research Methodology 43
3.1 Introduction 43
3.2 Research Design 43
3.3 Population Of The Study 43
3.4 Sample And Sampling Technique 44
3.5 Sources Of Data Collection 44
3.6 Validity Of The Instrument 44
3.7 Reliability Of The Instruments 44
3.8 Data Collection Tools 45
3.9 Data Analysis 45
CHAPTER FOUR
4.0 Presentation, Analysis And Interpretation Of
Data 46
4.1 Introduction 46
4.2 Demographic data of Respondnt 46
4.2 Presentation And Interpretation Of Results 48
CHAPTER FIVE
5.0 Summary, Conclusion and Recommendations 52
5.1 Summary 52
5.2 Discussion Of Findings 53
5.3 Conclusion 54
5.4 Recommendation 55
References
Appendix
CHAPTER
ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Keyboarding skills as motor skills is
defined as the ability of secretaries to key in information in the memories of
the computer with minimum effort and energy use. Hames (2000:1) are of opinion
that secretaries can be considered as skilled keyboard users when they are able
to accurately key in data into the memories of the computer in a minimum time,
with minimum use of energy and with high degree of consistency and flexibility.
Keyboarding is a long life skill. It has
evolved from a transcription typing skill where secretaries typed hand-written
letters into a generative typing skill involving composing original thought at
the keyboard, (Cooper, 1983). Technologically, progress and development has not
resulted in information being made available
and easier, but it has put more pressure on computer user-secretaries to
develop skills (such as keyboarding skill) in order to best utilize good
business transaction and to improve communication, for example, the use of e-mail
to interact with customers through the help of keyboard. The key to success
when living in such a computer-centric world is to be able to interact
effectively and efficiently through well-developed keyboarding skills. Unlike
the days gone-by Cooper was considered
a talent that ensured a secretarial
position for typing someone else’s letter, typing has become an integral part
of our daily lives, keyboarding is no longer a routine for transferring ideas
from scribble to print. The average computer user spends at least 2.4 hours a
day actively engaged in computing at work. (Usernomics , 2007).
The most popular types of computer
hardware processing which help the user to write and edit memos, letters and
reports data management programmes which involve the secretaries to use long
list of data and spreadsheet programmes that handle tables and numbers is known
as keyboard, (Isosoki, 2000). Secretaries now have these skills to ease their
jobs and enhance proficiency and productivity leading to improve access to
goods and services. Current computer technologies is mostly controlled using
keyboard input in the delivery of service in business enterprises is basically
about efficient service delivery.
Business enterprises exist to achieve a
set objectives or goal. The secretaries are total persons influence by input
received from external factors, example; trade association, political
association etc. they are citizen members of the system in any industry and
virtually influence demand and supply. In recognition of this, it is then
believed that secretaries are unique in their own ways, they play vital roles,
need and different level of knowledge and skills; it then becomes imperative
for the secretaries to recognize this unique differences.
Hence, good keyboarding skills of
secretaries ensure good qualities both in typing out figures that contains
customers’ details for documentation and producing error-free of business
letters, memos, transcripts etc. in any business enterprise. Keyboarding skills
breed coercion which ensure organizational and industries efficiency that leads
to organizational success. So any business enterprise that lack keyboarding
skills oriented secretary would find it difficult to attain her desire
objectives.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
The secretaries can be looked upon as
vital link in an organization, more than that they are expected to carry out
nearly thousand different activities in assisting the executives (Wikdal,
2001). The inability of secretaries to meet up with this expectation has
brought frustration to their bosses. A
lack of keyboarding skills impedes secretaries in their work because it can
turn even a relatively small typing into an arduous and time consuming ordeal.
For example extra time and energy are needed to hunt for the right keys.
Fumbling with keys can generates spelling and punctuation errors. Extra time
and energy are needed to find and correct typing mistakes. Poor keyboarding
skill therefore affect secretaries’ ability to complete a related task,
(Johnson & Brine, 2000, McDonald & Foss, 2007). This has equally raised quarrels between the
secretaries and their bosses, other employees, customers and the public of
which the reason might be lack of good keyboarding skills, more sometimes,
these keyboarding skills are not found in secretaries. Therefore, this research
work will examine the impact of keyboarding skills on the performance of
secretaries in business enterprises.
1.3 AIM
AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The major aim of this study is to
determine the impact of keyboarding skills on performance of secretaries in
business enterprises.
The specific objectives were to:
1. Determine
the relevance of keyboarding skill to secretary’s accuracy in minutes taking in
a business enterprise.
2. To
analyze the relationship between keyboarding skills and secretary performance.
3. To
identify the factors that may influence keyboarding skills among secretaries.
1.4 RESEARCH QUESTION
The study was guided by the following
research questions derived from each specific objective:
1. What
is the relevance of keyboarding skills to secretaries’ accuracy in minutes
making in a business enterprise?
2. What
is the relevance of keyboarding skills to secretaries’ communication skill in a
business enterprise?
3. What
is the relevance of keyboarding skills to report writing ability of secretaries
in a business enterprise?
1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The findings of this study will go a long
way to correct the misconception and or confirm the belief of many
organizations and institutions that keyboarding is an irrelevant skill to the
practicing secretaries in automated a business enterprise especially in
Nigeria. Through the findings of this research, relevant information regarding
the benefits or otherwise of keyboarding skills would be revealed.
The result of this study will be of
immense benefit to curriculum planners and implementers as it will help them in
their job of curriculum review and implementation as it concerns computer
training in the schools system. The findings of this study will be of benefit to
secretaries, companies, business owners and director in different sector of the
economy. it will help them to know the importance of keyboarding skills and
computer literacy. Finally, the result of this work will be of benefit to
future researchers who may wish to carryout similar researches in the related
areas.
1.6 SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
This study was delimited to secretaries in
a business enterprise. Business enterprise were selected because keyboarding
skill and proficiency are criteria usually used for selection and promotion of
Secretaries as well as having the same mode of office operations based on these
conditions. Accessibility to information served as a major consideration of the
limitation to this study.
1.7
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY AREA
1.7 Historical
Background of the Study Area
The setting of this study is Jigawa state
ministry of finance located at Dutse local government area of Jigawa State.
History
At the creation of Jigawa State in 1991,
there was a Department of Budget and Economic Planning under the State Ministry
of Finance, Industry and Cooperatives headed by a Director. This Department was
subsequently upgraded to the status of a Directorate under the Governor’s
Office headed by a Director General and later by a Permanent Secretary due to
civil service reforms when the DG status was reverted to that of a Permanent
Secretary. This was the case for the period from 1994 to 2002. Late 2002 the
Directorate was further upgraded to Ministerial Status and formally named the
Ministry of State Joint Planning, Budget and Expenditure Control after bringing
the Project Implementation and Monitoring Unit (PIMU) under the purview of the
Ministry. PIMU used to be a Unit under the Governor’s Office headed by a
Director General operating more as a “Due Process Office” that ensured
compliance to due process in public procurement. The ‘Expenditure Control”
function of the Ministry was principally being performed by the PIMU where a
‘secretary’ was appointed serving more like a Departmental Director who
assisted the Commissioner in running the Unit. Following the restructuring
exercise carried out in 2007, the Ministry was reverted back to its Directorate
status under the supervision of Ministry for Finance and Economic Planning
which remains till date.
The Directorate currently has five
functional Departments made up of four operational departments and one service
department each headed by a Director. The operational departments are so called
because they are performing functions that are derived directly from the core
statutory mandate of the Directorate. These are the Budget Department, Planning
Department, SDGs Coordination & Monitoring Department and Statistics
Department. The Administration & Finance Department performs the general administrative
functions of the Directorate.
While
there is no law establishing the Directorate of Budget and Economic Planning
Directorate, yet its core mandates are directly derived from the Constitution
and other Government Statues? Section 120 (1 – 3) is about Powers and Control
over Public Funds, While Sections 121 and 122 are about the preparation of
annual appropriations, supplementary appropriations and other related matters.
The Public Finances (Control and Management Act)talked about the “development
of Economic Policies”; , Establishment of the Consolidated Revenue Fund” and
issues of monies therefrom; estimates of Revenue and Expenditure; Supplementary
Appropriations; and a host of other provisions that directly centers on the
roles and mandates of Budget and Economic Planning Agencies. The Economic
Planning and Fiscal Responsibility Law also has whole Sections dealing with
“Medium Term Expenditure Plans”; “The Annual Budget Process”; “Budgetary
Planning of State Government Owned Companies and Public Enterprises” and
“Budgetary Execution and Attainment of Targets”.
1.8
DEFINITION OF THE TERMS
The following terms used in this study at
various points requires specific definitions as follows:
Keyboarding: The
act of placing information into various types of equipment through the use of a
typewriter-like keyboard. Typewriting and keyboarding are not synonymous. The
focus of keyboarding is on
input rather than output (Shuller, 1989 ).
Skill: A skill is the learned
ability to perform an action with determined results with good execution often
within a given amount of time, energy, or both. Skills can often be divided
into domain-general and domain-specific skills. For example, in the
domain of work, some general skills would include time management, teamwork and leadership, self-motivation and others,
whereas domain-specific skills would be used only for a certain job. Skill
usually requires certain environmental stimuli and situations to assess the
level of skill being shown and used.
Performance: A Performance is an act of staging or presenting a
play, concert, or other form of entertainment. It is also defined as the action
or process of carrying out or accomplishing an action, task, or function.
Secretary: A person employed to handle correspondence, keep files, and
do clerical work for another person or an organization.
Business
enterprises: is the activity of making one's
living or making money by producing or buying and selling products (such as goods and services). Simply put, it is "any activity
or enterprise entered into for profit."
Having
a business name does not separate the business entity from the owner, which
means that the owner of the business is responsible and liable for debts
incurred by the business. If the business acquires debts, the creditors can go
after the owner's personal possessions. A business structure does not allow for
corporate tax rates. The proprietor is personally taxed on all income from the
business.
1.9
PLAN OF THE STUDY
The project is carried out of The Impact of Keyboarding Skills on
Performance of Secretaries in Business Enterprises.
The project contains five chapters, chapter
one deals with general introduction, statement of the problem, aims and
objectives of the study, research hypothesis, purpose and significance of the
study, scope and limitation of the study, Historical Background Of Study Area
definition of key terms, plan of the study and references. Chapter two consist
of literature review and theoretical frame work of the project. References Chapter
three contains research methodology, introduction of the chapter, population of
the study, sample size, sampling techniques, method of data collection,
research instrument, method of data Analysis and references.
Chapter four consist of Data presentation
and analysis, introduction of the chapter,
Demographic data of the Respondents,
Response of the presentation and Analysis and Finally, chapter five of this
project comprises the summary, conclusion, and recommendations, Bibliography
and appendix.
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