Effects of information and communications skills on secretaries' performance in contemporary organisations in Bauchi State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined the effects of information and communication skills on secretaries' performance in contemporary organizations in Bauchi State, Nigeria. The need for information and communication skills development especially in Nigeria cannot be overemphasized. The quality of secretaries available is a function of reliable and acceptable reporting framework that will improve productivity in the public sector. This can only be achieved through an effective and efficient human resource development structure. Information and communication skills involve harnessing of electronic technology in its various forms to improve the operations in terms of communication and organization effectiveness as a whole. Organizations without staff with viable information and communication skill may experience difficulty in facing modern challenges in this dispensation and work environment. It was in this light that this paper anchored its objectives. The general objective of the study was to assess the effect of information and communication skills on secretaries' performance in organizations in Bauchi State, Nigeria. To achieve the objective of the study, primary and secondary data were used. The primary data were obtained through a well structured questionnaire administered to one hundred and forty three (143) secretaries in Bauchi State, Nigeria while a total of ninety five (95) copies of the questionnaire were received through the use of simple random sampling technique, and the data obtained were analyzed with econometric models of multiple regression and diagnostic test. The Cronbach alpha model was used to verify the reliability of the instrument. From the analysis, it was discovered that the usage of computer, telecommunication and video techniques positively and significantly related to the productivity (performance) of public sector secretaries in Bauchi State, Nigeria. Among others, it was recommended that public sector secretaries should be given some training and retraining of the skills involved in the use of these effective information and communication skills for effective job performance.