ABSTRACT
This research looked to decide the degree of utilization of technology and its influence on performance and organizational strategy at Winmat Publishers Limited which is an educational publishing institution. In achieving a descriptive survey, the objectives of the study were utilized. Again, ―the collection of primary data was done through the use of questionnaire‖. The study‘s targeted population contained the whole Winmat Publishers Limited Head office staff which is 108 permanent employees. The total number of questionnaire distributed for this research were 108 out of which ninety (90) were retrieved from the respondents. This represents 83% of the respondents out of the targeted sample of 108 in the organisation. All the 90 questionnaire retrieved were completed and valid with the end goal of this examination. In view of this, the study‘s findings indicated that Winmat Publishers Limited had received and utilized IT to an enormous degree and that IT had a positive effect on execution. Further, the study‘s findings revealed that ―there is a positive relationship between information technology use and organizational performance‖.
More importantly, the study recommended that organizations particularly publishing companies must endeavor to grasp IT apparatuses and benefits to have focused edge and improve administration conveyance to clients in order to accomplish higher proficiency, dependability and control in the association. Additionally, the study recommended that further studies be carried out in different associations in order to see whether there are some other components with regards to ―the effect of information technology on organisational performance‖ especially within the publishing industry in Ghana.
CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study
Since the beginning of the twentieth century, there existed a massive revolution with regards to
―information technology‖. According to Tom (1991), ―This revolution in technological advancement is arguably considered to be the most interesting development post the industrial revolution in the mid-18th Century‖. In this regard, human activities are changing drastically on daily basis due to this revolution in information technology in that it is changing the manner in which individuals think, communicate and behave. UNDP (2001) opines that, ―With the advent of technology, the world has virtually become a global village with technological tools such as the internet, mobile phones and satellite networks bridging time and space, linking computers and communications together; which has resulted in innovative ways of communication, processing, storing and disseminating enormous amounts of information‖. It is in this light that the headway in satellite, radio, optical fiber, and chip innovation have empowered a huge number of individuals in various sections of the globe to interface electronically regardless of national or global limits. Evans & Wurster (1997) explain that, ―the escalation in connectivity is the latest and the most important wave in the information revolution‖. Allen & Morton (2004) adds that, ―technology is seen as powerful tool that promotes tremendous growth in a dynamic and highly competitive business environment which requires the utilization of advanced technological tools in order to improve efficiency, cost effectiveness, and deliver high quality products and services to customers‖. Further, Attewell & Rule (1984); Boynton (1993); Molloy & Schwenk (1995) state that, ―organizations are increasingly using technology to develop solutions to business problems, to improve both the efficiency and effectiveness of the decision-
making process, to enhance productivity and service quality, to achieve dynamic stability, and compete for new markets‖. ―Organizations have always sought and adopted technologies that enhance efforts of their manpower in production and management‖ (Cerere, 1993). In this instance, he concluded that in spite of the fact that it has advanced over an extensive stretch of time, innovation has risen as a significant device in the management of authoritative tasks.
Technology
―Information technology implies anything related to figuring innovation of computing, for instance, software, the internet, hardware, networking, or the general population that work with these advances‖. ―Information technology can be defined as the hardware, software, telecommunications, database management, and other information-processing technologies used to store, process, and deliver information‖ (Daft, 1997). ―Information technology is usually used to help directors with direct power over business capacities, staff and different assets‖. As directors supervise asset coordination and designation, it very well may be hard to facilitate business works crosswise over different tasks. According to Hobday (2000), ―Technology is one of the key innovations that is frequently implemented to assist in this process‖. Bjork (1999); Peansupap and Walker (2005) maintain that ―Information technology is often implemented as it is believed to facilitate communication, improve integration, enhance productivity and service delivery‖. Feeny & Willcocks (1998) also explain that, ―As organisations grow and change, they depend more and more on technology for their survival‖. Porter & Millar, (1985) opines that, ―Companies today implement and use technology to find solutions to business problems, to improve management decision-making, enhance productivity and quality, and compete for new
markets in our global and aggressive business environment‖. Also, innovation through
technology ―can be seen as an earth shattering force that opens invigorating open entryways for relationship to accomplish their objectives and destinations in a convincing manner‖. Accordingly Hacker & Saxton (2007) state that, ―pioneers in associations must get a general energy about the capability of technology and connection the procurement and usage of it to the authoritative mission‖.
