IMPACT OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY ON THE MODERN BUSINESS WORLD

(A CASE STUDY OF SOME SELECTED ORGANIZATIONS IN CROSS RIVER STATE)

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

In today's national and international business world, information is a price less commodity, what ever form it takes, without up to the minutes, accurate information, most commercial organization would quickly founder.

Such business offices serve as hubs or centers of information which take in, process, store and relay data and messages in a host of situations, financing, selling, building, making, servicing or advising so as to to enable all sorts of people to function in their jobs, ranging from senior managers planning company activities over the next five years to stop assistants quering the current retail price of a product.

While manual and paper-based system of information processing are still much in use, in the form of book, diaries, letters, invoices and so on, more and more office facilities are today being undertaken by electronic and compute-based technology. 

Information technology, both in the industry and business world is resourceful. In the 1905s, business embarked on the first widespread use of computer primarily as tools for recording and processing accounting transactions.

Thus information technology has only really been part of business for about the last 40 years. Nonetheless, information technology is one of the most important resources in today’s business environment. But what exactly is information technology.

Aronu (1999) defines information technology as the combination of two technologies; computing and telecommunication (the cornerstone of information technology and the main purpose of which is to transmit representation of information (signals) between remote locations).

One must admit that the modern business world have been reshaped, compared to the business of years ago. History has it that man has to cross oceans, spend huge amount of money and energy to transfer information or transact business. Since the advert of computers, experts have contributed to research with a view of making computer a greater advantage to the business world.

The world at present is connected to a global system of communication that ensures speedy information and business transaction. The global system of communication involves the uses of computer, GSM, fax machine etc.

The modern technology offers world wide communication capability, a mechanism for information dissemination and a medium for collaboration and interaction between individuals without regard or geographical location.

Buying and selling electronically is changing the way people think and carry out transaction all over the world. Time, distance, and competitive product quality, is no longer the problem. This has triggered off increased economic activities and is having a considerable impact on the world of business. The business world should not be left out in this trend. Inspite of many business hindrances ranging from poor computer appreciation to inadequate communication facilities, the business world must strive to harness the huge economic potentials inherent in this amazing technology that has revolutionalised global economics.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEMS

today's organizational environment is quite different from that of the past. The global competition, information technology , the quality service revolution, and diversity and ethics have forces management of all types of organizations to totally rethink their approach to both operations and human resources. Because of the sudden shift, organizations are now more responsive to both their internal and external environments. The modern business world is characterized by state of art information technology.

However most modern business organization’s, inspite of the numerous benefits associated with technological advancement are yet to help pace with drastic change and also the cost involved in acquiring the facilities, training and retraining of work force. Also important is the general attitude to embracing change.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

The main purpose of this study is to examine each of these characteristics of today business world. On a more Examine the role of information technology on the modern business world. This research work is intended to enhance knowledge and eliminate difficulties encountered in the business world in relation to the use of information technology. The research work is specifically aimed to:

1. Examine the impact of information technology on performance of the workers.

2. Look into impact of information technology on communication in the modern business organization.

3. To find out the attitude of organizations and their workers towards the change brought about by information technology.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

It is hoped that, the finding and solutions of this research work will be of great benefit to the following.

1. Private Organizations: This research work will sender opportunity to the private organization to look inward and restructure their organization to meet the intrigues of information and communication technology simultaneously, its relevance to the modern day business.

2. Education Institutions: It is believe that at the end of this study, the educational authorities will see the urgent and sudden need to introduce information and communication technology course to the academic curriculum and at the same time equip her students.

3. Government: It will enable the government realize and discover the relevance of information and communication technology to the business and thus, stand to meet the challenges and ordeals posed by information and communication technology. It will also help the government plan her business policy along the path of information technology.

4. Students: This research work will serve as a vital academic tool for students who may wish to write further on this topic.

5. Applicant: It will also serve as an enablement to applicants by helping them to realize that to have a good knowledge of information and communication technology is very essential. Lastly, it will help them to plan for the way forward and have a good interface with information technology.

RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1. What are the roles of information and communication technology on the modern business organization?

2. What are the impacts of information and communication technology on workers performance?

3. What are that attitude organizations and of workers towards the change brought about by information and communication technology?

DELIMITATION/SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This study was carried out in some selected organization spread within Cross River State. The study also covers the impact and problem (huddles) of information technology, again the modern equipment/gadgets used in communication.

LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

Pertinently, the following were the problem (huddles) encountered during the conduct or execution of this study among them which are:

i. Communication Difficulties: This is one of the problem comforted during the execution of this research study, as a result of getting freeze and speedy access to some of the needed organization was not fragile (easy) as expected.

ii. Transportation Cost: The art of moving from one business organization to another was not easy especially now that transportation is at a higher rate and sometimes the finance needed was not adequately available and that stood as a great limitation.

iii. Time: This was greatly associated/include to the problem encountered during the execution of this research study. Because, as a student the time to do some other things such as reading doing of home works/assignment was limited in the course of executing this study.  

iv. Poor Instrumentation: To get the relevant instruments was nasty and hazardous in some cases in the conduct of this research study and that was a very big problem. However, even though there are such limitations; the study has some pertinent and indispensible credit to itself.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

The following terms were in view according to their meaning.

Technology - This referred to the entities, both material and immaterial, created by the application of mental and physical efforts in order to achieve some value. It is also referred to tools and machines that may be used to solve real world problems.

Communication- This refers to the transmission of information from one computer system to the other in a particular geographical location in order to affect the attention of the recipient.

Information - This refers to things, objects, fact etc provided or sent to somebody either through electronic gadgets or oral means. 

Business - This refers to an organization which aimed to earn profit by providing what the society need and want. It is the totality of all activities which take place in the provision and allocation of goods and services for private or general profits Johnny U.N (2015).

Organization - This is a forum, where people are systematically organized paramount with a particular aim, and purpose.