AN ASSESSMENT OF THE CONTINUED RELEVANCE OF THE SECRETARIAL PROFESSION IN ERA AGE OF OFFICE TECHNOLOGY

Abstract

Questions have been raised on the continued relevance of the secretarial profession in the age of automation. The study was conducted to determine the degree of continued relevance of the secretarial profession and professionals to the performance of office tasks in the age of Information and Communication Technology. The survey design was employed in conducting the study. The
population comprises secretarial and management professionals is selected public and private organizations in Ibadan, Oyo State. The sample comprises 60 managers and 40 secretarial personnel (typist’s secretaries and computer  operators). Four research questions and one hypothesis guided the conduct of the study. A structured questionnaire was developed and administered on respondents. Mean and Standard deviation were used to analyze the research question while the hypothesis was tested at 0.05 level of significance with t-test. The study revealed that secretarial personnel remain relevant in the areas of document preparation, office administration, human relations and executive assistance.