Effect of Globalization of Information Technology on Office Services in Nigeria
CHAPTER ONE
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
This study is designed towards identifying some of the effects of globalization of information technology on office services. Specifically this study is out to:
- To find out the effect of globalization of information technology on office services
- To determine the prospects of globalization of information technology on office services
- To find out the effect of globalization on office productivity.
- To find out the difficulties that organization encounter when using information technology for office services delivery.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED AND RELEVANT LITERATURE
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
ICTs and Globalization
Information Communication Technology is basically an electronic based system of information transmission, reception, processing and retrieval, which has drastically changed the way we think, the way we live and the environment in which we live. It must be realized that globalization is not limited to the financial markets, but encompasses the whole range of social, political, economic and cultural phenomena. Information and communication technology revolution is the central and driving force for globalization and the dynamic change in all aspects of human existence is the key by-product of the present globalization period of ICT revolution. The world telecommunication system, the convergence of computer technology and telecommunications technology into the Information Technology, with all its components and activities, is distinctive in its extension and complexity- and is also undergoing a rapid and fundamental change. The results of this are that National boundaries between countries and continents become indistinct and the capacity to transfer and process information increases at an exceptional rate. The global information communication has been called “the world’s largest machine,” and it is very complex and difficult to visualize and understand in its different hardware and software subsystems. As Kofi Annan {1999} has put it, “the Internet holds the greatest promise humanity has known for long- distance learning and universal access to quality education… It offers the best chance yet for developing countries to take their rightful place in the global economy… And so our mission must be to ensure access as widely as possible. If we do not, the gulf between the haves and the have-nots will be the gulf between the technology-rich and the technology-poor”.
ICTs are increasingly playing an important role in organizations and in society’s ability to produce, access, adapt and apply information. They are being heralded as the tools for the post-industrial age, and the foundations for a knowledge economy, due to their ability to facilitate the transfer and acquisition of knowledge {Morale-Gomez and Melesse, 1998}. These views seem to be shared globally, irrespective of geographical location and difference in income level and wealth of the nation. ICT may not be the only cause of changes we are witnessing in today’s business environment, but the rapid developments in ICT have given impetus to the current wave of globalization. While trans-national corporations are reaping huge profits from the flexibility and opportunities offered by globalization, the level of poverty in the world is growing. At least, 2.8 billion people in the world, that is 45% of the world population, are living on less than $2 a day {Stigliz 2002}. Africa in particular is hit by the growth of poverty and economic crisis. The use and production of ICT plays an important role in the ability of nations to participate in global economic activities. Apart from facilitating the acquisition and absorption of knowledge, ICT could offer developing countries unprecedented opportunities to change educational systems, improve policy formulation and execution, and widen the range of opportunities for business and for the poor. It could also support the process of learning, knowledge networking, knowledge codification, teleworking, and science systems. ICT could be used to access global knowledge and communication with other people. However, over major parts of developing countries ICT is available only on a very limited scale, and this raises doubts about developing countries’ ability to participate in the current ICT-induced global knowledge economy. There has also been concern that this unequal distribution of ICT may in fact further contribute to the marginalization of poor countries in relation to developed countries, and to disruptions of the social fabric. Hence, one can conclude that the concept of ‘digital slavery’ is inevitable for developing countries as far as ICT is concerned. The wide gap in the availability and use of ICT across the world, and the influences ICT exerts on globalization, raise questions about whether globalization entails homogeneity for organizations and societies in developing countries. It also raises questions about the feasibility and desirability of efforts to implement the development of ICT through the transfer of best practices from western industrialized countries to developing countries, and whether organizations can utilize ICT in accordance with the socio-cultural requirements of the contexts {Walshan, 2001}. Information and Communication Technology development is a global revolution. It has become a subject of great significance and concern to all mankind. Relevant studies have shown that the greatest impact of the ICT revolution will revolve around the ‘Digital Divide’ equation. The most important aspect of the ICT challenge is the need to plan, design and implement a National Information Infrastructure (NII) as the engine of economic growth and development.
The Goals of Globalization
Iyayi (2004: 24) posits that globalization “has been used rather loosely to stand for a variety of things: the shrinking of the world into a global village, the awesome changes brought about or mandated by the revolution in information technology, the collapse of boundaries between different worlds, expanding connectivity of all forms of interaction.” Scholte (1997) argues that globalization facilitates the removal of barriers among nations of the world, thereby giving social relations unhindered access. The unique characteristics of globalization often includes increased capital mobility, decline in costs of transportation, computing and communications. Other aims of globalization from the economic perspective include:
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research Design
The researcher used descriptive research survey design in building up this project work the choice of this research design was considered appropriate because of its advantages of identifying attributes of a large population from a group of individuals. The design was suitable for the study as the study sought to highlight the effects of globalization of information technology on office services in Nigeria.
Sources of Data Collection
Data were collected from two main sources namely:
Primary source and Secondary source
Primary source:
These are materials of statistical investigation which were collected by the research for a particular purpose. They can be obtained through a survey, observation questionnaire or as experiment; the researcher has adopted the questionnaire method for this study.
Secondary source:
These are data from textbook Journal handset etc. they arise as byproducts of the same other purposes. Example administration, various other unpublished works and write ups were also used.
Population of the Study
Population of a study is a group of persons or aggregate items, things the researcher is interested in getting information to examine social media as a tool for emerging political participation in Nigeria. A total of two hundred 200 respondents were selected to form the population for the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTATION ANALYSIS INTERPRETATION OF DATA
Introduction
Efforts will be made at this stage to present, analyze and interpret the data collected during the field survey. This presentation will be based on the responses from the completed questionnaires. The result of this exercise will be summarized in tabular forms for easy references and analysis. It will also show answers to questions relating to the research questions for this research study. The researcher employed simple percentage in the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to reiterate that the objective of this study was to highlight the effects of globalization of information technology on office services in Nigeria.
In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given.
In this chapter, certain recommendations are made which in the opinion of the researcher are drawn from the findings of the study.
Summary
The study opened with an introduction which served as a background to the study where the statement of the problem, study objectives, study significance as well as the research hypotheses were described. In the second chapter, the study reviewed the relevant and related literatures.
The conceptual, and empirical studies were examined as well as the relationship which exists internal control system and fraud. The third chapter described the methodology employed in the study to gather data both primary and secondary data. It also described the statistical tool for testing the hypotheses. The fourth chapter analyzed and presented the data using simple percentages and chi-square statistical tool.
Conclusion and Recommendation
Information and communications technology (ICT) is a key factor to office development; its place in the office system is invaluable and it would no doubt continue to gain more grounds. It has affected many areas of office activities and has improved tremendously, the productivity of organizations. Amongst many major ways, it has provided a universal platform for both individuals and organizations to interconnect, network, transact businesses and share important resources, it has enhanced information management and documentation potential to ensure an improved office system, and has most significantly, drastically reduced office operation cost, number of staff needed to carry out tasks and office space requirements as well. This is not to say that ICT is a 100% safe and it has not had negative effects in the office system; in areas of insecurity such as identity theft, web scam, hacking, computer virus and the likes, it has posed a threat. But with modern developments in its infrastructures, mechanisms such as antivirus, anti-spam guard, firewall etc, are now available and continually updated to fight against newly developed internet threats. Therefore it is of need for any office system to implement ICT in its operations for better adaptability in a growing world of digitalization.
REFERENCES
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- Annan, Kofi. {1999}. United Nation Science. 19th February. p. 1079.
- Britannica {2003}. “Slavery in the 21st Century”. Britannica Encyclopedia, Deluxe Edition CD ROM.
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