A SURVEY OF THE EFFECTS OF AUTOMATION IN THE PERFORMANCE OF SECRETARIES IN  MINISTRIES OF EDUCATION AND FINANCE
ABSTRACT
This study is a survey of the effects of automation in the performance of secretaries in Ministries of Education and Finance as its case study. It is also aimed to ascertain whether modern automation pose challenges to secretaries who had prior knowledge of the skill in their operations. The introduction of modern automation brings about training and retraining of secretaries. Secretaries who had no prior preparation are being deployed by most of these financial houses to update their skills rather than being thrown out of jobs. They now have opportunity of being trained for their jobs.
The literature review was made from primary and secondary sources of the data, which is data collected from questionnaire administered to respondents and from textbooks, journals newspaper, and unpublished materials. From summary of finding, and conclusion of the research work, there are much modern office equipment used by secretaries and automation comprises mainly accounting and franking machines. This modern office equipment used by secretaries in the performance of their duties creates much advantage such as; faster and save time, it improves the quality of work, It increases output, It is convenient and it is cost effective.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER ONE
1.0    INTRODUCTION                      
1.1    Background of the Study                       
1.2    Statement of the Problems                 
1.3    Purpose of the Study                      
1.4    Significance of the Study                
1.5    Scope/Delimitation of the Study            
1.6    Research Questions                   
CHAPTER TWO
20    LITERATURE REVIEW                 
2.1    An Overview of the Secretary               
2.2    The Acquired Competence of Secretary in
Institution of Higher Learning                   
2.3    Modern Automation and Challenges          
2.4    Empirical/Theoretical on the Challenges
of Automation                        
CHAPTER THREE
3.0    RESEARCH METHODOLOGY              
3.1    Research Design                    
3.2    Area of Study                         
3.3    Population of the Study             
3.4    Sample and Sampling Techniques         
3.5    Instrument for Data Collection         
3.6    Validity of the Instrument               
3.7    Reliability of the Instrument             
CHAPTER FOUR
4.1    PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF
RESULT/FINDINGS                     
4.2    Analysis of Data                     
4.3    Summary of Results                    
CHAPTER FIVE
5.0    DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION AND
RECOMMENDATION                   
5.1    Discussion of Findings                    
5.2    Conclusion                       
5.3    Recommendations                   
5.4    Suggestion for Further Study           
5.5    Limitation of the Study                    
        References                           
    Appendix                                
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1    Background of the Study
The modern technology and economic development in recent years have affected to a large extent the functions and performance of secretarial profession.
Consequently, there arises the need for development of improved devices for the purpose of increasing production levels, to make it less tedious. The history of secretarial revolution of the 14th to 16th centuries gave credence to this point. Record keeping and inventions of menu scripting were first developed. When it became imperative that those two innovations could not provide a complete answer to smooth take off of business and full office operations, further inventions were made given birth to the art of typing with machines.
The invention of the typewriter and its uses in the office were almost revolutionalizing their usefulness to business application-work could be done more quickly, more legible more accurate and more economical. But the expansion of business activities demands for more and better skill and experience personnel. The innovation of the typewriters was allowed by adding and calculating machines, cash register and book-keeping machines. The office today has changed largely due to technical advances, new business procedures and concepts and international movement. The use of new machines like computer, fax machines, electric typewriters, word processing, etc. has generated new skill and new job opportunities.
These have posed a lot of challenges to secretaries. Some secretaries cannot operate these electronic gadgets and other modern equipment. In a research carried out by Okoye (1992, 48) it was discovered that graduate secretaries were rated so low for their inability to operate such equipments. Their knowledge of shorthand was appreciated but surprisingly, these secretaries could only exhibit a faint knowledge of the mechanism of the copiers and duplicating machines.
Added to this, most secretaries have problems in their work place because of lack of skills needed to operate these machines. Lockhart (1991) as cited by Osagie (1992) stated that the whole roles of typist were changed by the impact of technology. This could mean that secretarial staffs who are much involved may need re-examination with more emphasis on the administrative role of office personnel and fresh look at the whole activities of the office management. Whistler (1970:38) opined that in a recent study of life 15 insurance companies were conducted to determine employment change at various job levels as a result of automation.
These companies believed that without the use of computer that they would need 60% more personnel. In effect, while there may not be (and probably not) to reduce number of office employees, more work is now being done with electronic machines, than ever before.
For some industries, the installation of computer has hardly affected the total unemployment picture; on the contrary, new skills have been required. In many companies the rate of turnover among office employees continued to be high with the resultant proposed, reduction in manpower requirement that are compensated by moral attributes, Neuner et al (1972-36-37).
Further in an economic and statistical analysis conducted by fortune magazine as cited by Neuner et al (1972 – 36 – 37). It was emphatically concluded that automation has made sub-statically less head way in the United States of America economy than the literature on the subject would suggest.
Not denying that fact that technology does change and does displace a substantial number of workers, it was noted that ten years after computers have come into common user no fully automated process exists for any major project in any industry in the United States.
With the introduction of automation, an organization stands to gain among others, increased production, efficiency of work and low labor turnover and improved secretarial performance.
This study is therefore geared towards finding out effects of automation in the performance of secretaries in ministry of education and finance.
1.2    STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
It is not clear what effect modern automation has on secretaries. While the impresses is that the introduction of automation in business establishment appear to be stressing to its users, secretaries who had not up-dated their skills fear that it could replace the secretary; how soon would that happen? Much is observed today about the changing office science although many views are expressed concerning this subject, it is widely acknowledged that the future office operation and procedures are quite different from one instance. Olusegun (1991 – 5) opined that, in a meeting fear were expressed that another 10 yeas there might be nothing left for the worker to do since automation and technology might have become so improved that machines begins to separate themselves.
While Stouter (1982:28) stressed that sophisticated equipment will never be able to replace the creative and articulate thinking of human beings.
What equipment can do is to assume the responsibilities on the performance of secretaries in ministry of education and finance.
Hence, the study is determined to find out the effect of automation on the performance of secretaries in ministries of education and finance, Enugu in Enugu state.
1.3    PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
The main purpose of the study is to determine the effect of automation in the performance of secretaries in ministries of education and finance.
Specifically the study seeks to:
1.    Determine what is office automation
2.    Find out the effect of automation
3.    Find out the effect in performance of secretaries in the ministry of education and finance.
4.    To find out the problem with office automation.
5.    Find out the solution to the office automation.
1.4    SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
This study will provide a research based on information on the current nationwide argument on the effect of automation to secretarial performance and productivity.
It will also be useful as it would show the adequacies or inadequacies to present day’s secretaries vis-à-vis the manipulation of modern automation.
Again, the study would be useful to organizations and secretaries as it will reveal the training and retraining programmes that are available to the meeting this challenges and hence facilitate the realization of set organization goals.
1.5    DELIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY
The study only determines the effect of automation on the performance of secretaries in ministry of education and finance, and because of time and spaced it could not go beyond that scope.
1.6    RESEARCH QUESTIONS
The following questions were asked to determine the basis on which the study stands:
1.    What is office automation?
2.    What effects has automation in the office service?
3.    What effect does automation has on the performance of workers?
4.    What problems does office automation have?
5.    What are the solutions to the problems?