AVAILABILITY OF OFFICE EQUIPMENT AND ITS EFFECT ON OFFICE WORKERS PRODUCTIVITY

ABSTRACT

There have been remarkable changes in office machines and the organization. Despite these challenges there are still challenges that are being faced which have an adverse effect on organization productivity. It is on this regards that this study is embarked upon. “Availability of office equipment and its effect on office workers’ productivity”, benefit of using the office equipment, its level of availability in the organization and the problem associated with the procurement and maintenance of office equipment in the organization was discussed. It was discovered that the office equipment is expensive and difficult to maintain. Five objectives of the study out of research question work drawn. A review of related literature was carried out, data work collected from 98 respondents from the organization through structured questionnaire. Using Arithmetic mean for data analysis and interpretation, it was discovered that office equipment enhance production and most organizations are come by converting their office to a modern automated office by enforcing the use of technological and digital office equipment which has enhanced productivity. The researcher recommends among other things to acquire skills and knowledge should be made available to enable employees to remain excessively productive to their employer

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background of the study

An office equipment have gone beyond manual typewriter, ink, pot, local storage facilities etc. into more complicated and effective modern office equipment. Some organization has embraced and purchases some of this equipment while others has not. In light of the above, the researcher decided to investigate the availability of this equipment and its effect on workers productivity.

In the early, age office activities which include paperwork was done manually with the use of machine such as manual typewriter, large duplicating machine, collating machine etc. These later developed into new modern office equipment due to the disadvantage which includes noise, bulkiness, lack of speed, waste of energy, time and resources.

Today, office equipment is required in every field of specialization, this is because they facilitate clerical work and preparation of office documents. The use of fax machines, WAP phones, teleprinters, internet and e-mail facilities etc. is now the order of the day. These have now made the work of the office professional more efficient than what it used to be and given rise to what is now known as the modern office. Other equipment include punchers, staplers, electric fan, air conditioners, enhanced furniture and fitting to create a more comfortable and convenient work environment for office activities to be carried out smoothly.

Mills and Ford (2008), noted that office equipment enable workers to work with minimum fatigue. It does not only increase efficiency but boost production process which is the main objective of the organization. Office work is made easier as less effort is put into achieve a greater result. An employee may not have to go from one place to another but can easily sit at his table and carry out his regular office activities. However, today’s office cannot be discussed without relating to technology.

According to Alli and Akinbi (1998), technology is an alteration in the life of an equipment, character, knowledge and method of doing things. The impact of these equipment resulted into acquisition of needed office professionals to effectively operate these facilities in order to be relevant in their labour market.

Pickard (2006), also states that employees who feel good are likely to be more productive. It is easy to instinctively understand that a few standard equipment in the office will make it a nicer place to be for employees feel better as a result. However, when the finance manager wants to know why thousand of money is wasted every year on caring for a few office equipment, it is difficult to effectively demonstrate the bottom line return on such an investment.Many organizations are being driven by the value systems of office equipment rather than its contribution to the organizations productivity.In recent times, employees learn to operate new office equipment mainly through attending courses, trainings, workshop and seminars during which manufacturers will introduce their products and demonstrate by giving illustrations about their equipment to various operators.

Pickard further stresses that the office is the center of social interaction and the design provide better meeting rooms, open spaces and telecommunication facilities demands serious attention. The stacking plans for the building are equally important, an efficient office layout will take careful operational advances to optimize the use of assets, facilities and function in use.

Boating (1992) state that today’s modern office equipment depend largely on the use of office equipments to maximize and increase organizational productivity. Office equipment help in making office work easier, efficient and time saving and ensures accuracy.

Watson (1999), emphasizes that technology changes has tremendously made an impact in various organizations especially with regards to the office. He points out that office automation product looks nothing like it did just 10 years ago. Outfitted with some of the most modern business systems and equipment, the office today is a contemporary and strict place for business. The sound of noisy and distracting equipment or unsightly machines is now a thing of the past. The quality of output cannot be compared to what it looks like years ago.

Roger (2008), points out that environment now resembles any peaceful environment that you can easily relax in and not feel overwhelmed with huge and bulky machines. Some of the hardware cannot be seen easily unless you look really hard.

However, office professionals need to be trained to be acquainted with the use, procurement and maintenance of existing office equipment as well as know its relevance and benefits to the organization as a whole. This is to enable organization face the challenges associated with it. This is because despite the fact that the technology has changed and transformed the office to a better one. There are still some problems and aspects that cannot be overlooked as a result of those technological changes. The use of some of this equipment has adverse effects on the operators and the organization in general; which can also have effect on its production level.

The equipment has more from the traditional age to the modern age and therefore, there is need for the modern equipment to be available to the users. It is in this regard that the study is embarked on which is titled “An Assessment of the availability of the equipment and its effect on organization productivity.