CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

• Background of the Study

New technologies have resulted in the new deployment of advanced and superior tools to enhance smart and quick delivery of works in the society. In considering this fact, Hilbert (2007) describes these technologies collectively as information and communication technologies (ICTs) as a revolution which has penetrated almost all fields of human activities, thus transforming economic, political and social life.

ICTs are crucially important for sustainable development. Two decades ago, most developed countries have witnessed significant changes that can be traced to ICTs, hence in a simple term information and communication technologies (ICTs) can be defined as electronic machines that can store, organize, find information, do calculations and control other machines, as much these have helped in so many organizations to reduce the work load on staff and make their work performance better.

Work performance according to Oxford Advanced Dictionary (2005) is the act of performing, carrying in to execution or action, so in this dimension, the influence of ICTs has been felt, because the amount of work accomplished by a computer system within a shorter time and using less resources are more than the task carried out by man in long duration of time.

ICTs have always been considered as a competitive advantage in the business environment of effective performance. But the important thing is that the actual charges that could increase the potential value of information would occur if the organization is able to use this important resource through the application of new technology. ICT with features such as storing, processing, marketing and transferring a large bulk of data can assist management to improve the organization performance. In addition, the significance of productivity and the necessity of its assessment have received much attention given the increasing levels of competitive technology complexity, diversity of tastes, lack of resources, and rapid exchange of information.

For a time, some suggestions are offered on how to manage resources with an approach as organization work performance. Infact, organization work performance emerged through widespread use of crew Resource Management (CRM) aiming at transferring communication structure principle based on ICT dealing with issues related to clients and employees. Organization work performance is, in a general sense an efficient mechanism plan and technology in the field of management dealing with how companies are communicating with their new and old employees. Like other new managerial concept, organization work performance is viewed as an efficient mechanism that provides mutual and shared values for employers and employees.

• Statement of the Problem

Over the years, ICTs have played vital roles in almost all walks of life and the influence of ICTs has been felt in all areas including medical, marketing, agricultural sector, administration and even in communication. It is also accepted by many, that ICTs have played enormous roles substituting manual manpower in different organizations, hence, the notion “imagine a world without ICTs. This study is therefore necessitated following the assumption that work performance in many organizations in this era is generally influenced by ICTs.

As such this study sought to find the influence of information  and communication technologies (ICTs) on the work performance of staff of Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Ekpene.