University of Nigeria Research Publications

OGOR, Florence Konye

A

utho

r

PG/MBA/98/20997

Title

Revolution in Communication and its Impact on Management: A Case Study of

N.E.P.A.

Facu

lty

Business Administration

Dep

artm

ent

Management

Dat

e

October, 2000

Sign

atur

e

KEVOLUT~ON LN COMMUNICATION AND I8rs IMPACT ON MANAGEMENT

A CASE STUDY OF NATIONAL ELECTRIC POWER AUTHORlTY (NEPA)

OGOR FLORENCE KONYE PGIMBA/98/20997

A RI<SEAIICI1 PROJECT SUBMITTED TO T H E DEYAHTMICN'I' 0 1 7 MANAGEMENT, FACULTY OF BUSINESS AL)MINIS'I'IL4'I'ION,

UNlVERSlTY OF NIGERLA, ENUGU CAMPUS 1N PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE AWARD 011'

MASTERS IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (MBA)

OCTOBER 2000

CEltTII~ICATJON

OGOH t;I.OIIENCE KONYE a blaster in Business Adnir~istration student of thc

Department of hlanagernent, with registrution number PG/MBA/98/20997 has

satisFdctory completed the requirements for the courses and rcsearch work for thc award

of Masters in Business Administration in management.

1 lead of department

DR. U.J!!F Ewurum Supervisor

DEDICATION This research work is dedicated to Chuxs

i i i

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

My profound gratitude goes to my supervisor DR. U J.F Ewurum whose

fatherly and relentless effort made this project a success.

My warmest greeting goes to chuxs, 1 thank him very much for standing

by me throughout the period this study lasted.

My warmest greeting also goes to my parents Mr. and Mrs. R . 0 Ogor for

their parental love and support towards me.

To my brothers and sisters especially lsioma and Nneka, thank you very

~nuch tbr being there for me.

To my friends - Gloria Anyasodo, Shalon, Jennifer Obiazikwor, Queen

Anike and a host of other who have contributed positively toward this project.

Thank you very much Linda for typesetting the work.

ABSTRACT

'I'he growing use of computer has dramatically altered many aspects of

01-gani~ational activity. Innovations such as'corporate electronic mail, Internet and

Teleconferencing are not yet the norm in all offices.

Increasingly, computers are used not just to gather, store and process data

but also to serve as communication centers for distributing numerical data and

textual information throughout an organization.

Computer revolution in communication has effect on organizations and

their managers. One consequence is that the form, content, size and frequency of

message has changed. This has had a strong influence on how individuals and

departments interact with one another. Because employees working on easy-to-

use computers can complete that task without much help from others, they are

spending less time in direct interpersonal communication and also tticrc is a

seduction in the cost of operation in most organization as a result of coniputer

revolution in communication.

In summary, this Computer technology is the acclaimed engine room of

niodern day global development and sustainable growth. It is presently designing

arid creating a standardized information society of the future at a phenomenal

speed.

This project also dealt on the importance of computer to organization in

particular (NEPA) and the society at large.

In this study, it was found out that the computer technology has made

great impact on the National Electric Power Authority (NEPA). These include

- Bills comes out earlier

- Payments are posted on time

- Storage of data are more permanent

- Accuracy of records

- Faster decision figure for management decision.

In conclusion, the computer technology has had great impact on the services of

NEPA.

TABLE OF CONTENT

TITLE PAGE

PAGES

CERTLFICATION

DEDICATION

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

ABSTRACT

TABLE OF CONTENT

LIST OF TABLES

CHAPTER ONE

I I

i i i

iv

v

vi

viii

Introduction 1

The statement of the problem 6

The objective of the study 7

The significance of the study 7

Research Question 8

Definition of concepts 9

The history of National Electric Power Authority PLC (NEPA) 10

References 13

CHAPTER TWO

Literature review 14

Internet 15

Importance of computer to management 20

Computer Role in data communication 2 1

How Telecommunication Technology (Computer) has changed

business24

The rise of Modern Networking 26

The summary of the review of the related literature 2 8

Computer to the rescue of National Electric Power Authority

(NEP A) 29

References

CHAPTER THREE

Research Design and Methodology

3.1 Target popuIation/study area

3.2 Sources of data

3.3 Sample size

3.4 Resesch instrument

3.5 Research Design

vii

3.6 Tools of Analysis

3.7 The scope of the study

3.8 The Iimitations of the study

CHAPTER FOUR

DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS

4.1 Testing of Research Questions

CHAPTER FlVE

5.1 Findings

5.2 Conclusion

5.3 Recommendations

5.4 Area of ar ther research

Bibliography

Appendix

LIST OF TABLES

Table i

TabIe 2

Table 3

Table 4

Table 5

Table 6

'TabIe 7

Table 8

Table 9

Table 10

Table 11

Table 12

CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION

Communication has been described as the "Life Blood" of an

organization, and miscommunication has caused the equivalent of cardiovascular

damage in most organizations. Certainly, today's managers face an environment

in which the issue of communication has become increasingly complex. The

acceleration of technolo~y both expedites and complicates means of

communication; and an unstable environment sends rapidly changing signal

retlecting shifts in social and cultural values. In addition, greater demands are

being made by various sub-cultural within our larger culture necessitating the

tar~eting of communication to groups that respond to message different from

those to which the larger culture has traditionally responded.

Kotter J. (1977) defined comrnunication as a process consisting of "a

sender transmitting a message through media to a receiver who responds" for

example, we can send a message, but if it is not heard by someone, no

communication has occurred. In its simplest form, this model can be schematized

as follows:

SENDER- MESSAGE- RECEIVER

This model indicates three essential elements of communication. Obviously, if

these elements are missing, no communication can take place.

Effective communication is important for managers. For two reasons, first,

communication is the process by which managers accomplish the fimctions of

planning organizing, leading and controlling. Second, communication is the

activity to which managers devote on over-whelming proportion of their time.

Rarely are managers alone at their desk thinking, planning or contemplating

alternatives. In fact, managerial time is spent largely in face to face electronic or

telephone communication with subordinates peers, supervisors' suppliers or

customer.

Below is a schematic diagram of communication process.

Transmit receive

Scndcr _, Encoder Message _+ Channel _+ Message _, Dccoding _, Receiver -+, -

(Source) (Noise)

Receiver Feedback Transmit

Sorrrcc.: Management by James A.F Stoner et a1 (1989)

The business world is undergoing a far reaching but fortunately a

bloodless revolution due to the advancement in technology. The new global

conlmunication network has altered significantly how businesses and government

communicate and share information. Electronic mails, the most elementary

communication medium for business and telephone have become standard

business practice tools.

The global communication intiastructure has re-defined the information

borders. Nothing in the world today has had as huge and phenomenal an impact

on the world's economy and organization as the increase in the processing power

of the computer. Ranging from manufacturing, distribution, logistics and

resources planning to medicine, agriculture, transportation and education, the

computer has literally changed and is still changing the way economy, businesses

and organizations are managed.

Computer and information technology is bound to affect all facets of

modem organizatiodmanagetnent system significantly as we are now in the new

millennium. In this regard, forward looking managers must continually stare to

improve on existing systems and structure as a means of maintaining a

competitive edge in the dawn of the new century described by many as the

computer age.

One of the problems facing many organizations today is how to

computerize their materials management hnction. The materials management

fur~ction like other aspects of management can benefit immensely from

computerization.

Powerful desktop computers have made it all too easy and possible to

"network" these computers with each other. The benefit of this computer power

for government is to create efficiency while maintaining the bureaucratic status

quo. For businesses, it is principally to reduce operating cost and offer effective

and efficient and customer service delivery.

Mainframe power of the computer has made it possible to seek ways to

transfbrm the New World economy into a digital economy. The developing

countries are beset by a fast changing digital world; where new rules and new

standard are re-defined just as the changing itself.

For developing nations, a strong communication infrastructure will lead to

thc inevitable growth of the economy. Moreover, it will precipitate the movement

and sharing of information that is now the life linelwire of the new knowledge

worker and has become so critical to the survival of any business today. The

mainframe power on a desktop computer enables one to communicate with the

global community at the blink of an eye.

India is perhaps one country today that has leveraged heavily its foreign

exchange earning on software export with its massive investment in strong

I:omrnunication infrastructure. For India, it is a realization from software revenue

for which government has recognized a need to boost its investments in this sector

attracts a higher return in investment.

As nations open their borders to the global community using this

rnainhme power and the Internet, new strategies for doing businesses are

emerging. We are clearly witnessing information being used to transform

economics.

One of the technologies that has the greatest impact on our world and in

fact management is the computer technology. The phenomenal growth in

computer technology with its attendant socio-economical effects is being felt

daily.

The growing use of computer has dramatically altered many aspects of

organizational activity. Innovations such as coporate electronic mail and

teleconferencing are not yet the norm in all offices, but it appears that computer-

mediated techniques will soon be used routinely for communication both and

between organizations.

Increasingly, computers are used not just to gather, store and process data,

but also serve as communication centers for distributing numerical data and

textual information throughout an organization.

In industry, a number of organizations have begun to provide economic

forecasts, competitive information, facts on different types of markets and other

data. As a result, managers sitting at their desk now have access to enormous

amount of information from thousand of sources around the world. v

By using electronic mail, people standing the same subject on opposite

side of the country can communicate with each other. Videoconference allows

people who are miles (or continent) apart to be in visual contact.

'The major advantages of computerization include

Enhancement of the overall efficiency of the material management fbnction

by providing accurate data for decision making

Allow management executives more time to concentrate on policy formation

and decision making by freeing them routine and repetitive clerical activities

Possible reduction in personnel and administration cost

Data inputs and outputs, the form, content and timing of various reports will

vary from organization to organization. However, there are general activities that

are better performed by computers. These includes:

1. Keeping stock and inventory records.

2. Writing of purchase requisitions.

3 . Writing of purchase others.

4. Follow up letters for outstanding orders.

5 . Processing of invoices and payment of cheques.

6 . Post delivery and quality records.

7. Computing various order qualities (EQQ, ROL, etc).

8. Performance evaluation reports, management reports, suppliers' evaluation

reports.

Mekesson, an American distribution company revolutionized its whole

approach to business by the efficient use of computers to keep track of inventory

and by integrating its computer system with its customers; thereby allowing them

to enter orders directly and receive products more quickly. People in some other

occupation such as telecomputing- using computers connected by teIephones to

send and receive work that they do at home.

Revolution in communication affect organizations and their managers. One is

that the form, content, size and frequency of messages have changed. This has had

a strong influence on how individuals, departments and organizations interact

with one another. This is because employees working on easy to use computers

can complete their task without much help fiom others; they are spending less

time in direct inter-persona1 communication.

1 2 THE STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

It is alleged that information is the life-wire of any organization. Where

rhere is no effective and efficient cornrnunication/information flow, organization

will not exist. The National Electric Power Authority (N.E.P.A), in particular is

faced with a lot of problems relative to cornrnunication/information flow. For

example

1. There is the problem of keeping tract of NEPA installations

2 . There is also the problem of human operating cost of getting

information and how to pass such information fiom person to

person and from department to department

3. Apart from the problem of effective and efficient customers

services delivery

4. There is the accounting probiem associated with billing method

and meter reading and

5. Finally, the problem of coping with processing power which has

doubled in the past years. The growth of data traffic in the public

network is outpacing the rate. The inability of NEPA to meet up

with the growth rate constitutes a problem.

1.3 T H E OBJECTIVI;: OF THE STUDY

The essence of management is to make decisions for the purpose of achieving

organization and individual goals. It has been said too that "managers have no

time" but then, there is the ever-increasing need to capture all the necessary data

and make speedy effective decisions.

The objectives of this study are to find out:

1. To what extent has the introduction of computers improved the operational

efficiency of the organization (especially the organization under investigation)

with regards to the end of day performance, billing, and error in bills, cash

collection, accounting service rendered to customers.

2. The extent to which the use of computers has affected human resources

utilization.

3. To what extent has the introduction of computer helped in the reduction of

operating cost in the organization

4. To ascertain to what extent has the computer technology helped in improving

the biIIing and accounting system

5 . To find out if the computer technology has helped to reduce communication

gap/problern between departments.

1 4 THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The investigation of the impact of communication on work in National Electric

Power Authority (N.E.P.A) will give insight into the benefits, policies and points

of areas where improvement is desired.

It is hoped that the result of this study will kindle the interest of other

organizations- public and private organizations in the utility of computer

technology.

It is also believed that this study will indicate some areas of knowledge

which may be relevant to academics for teaching purposes, usehl to students as a

guide for future research work and serves as an eye opener to professional

managers for fbture decision making.

Finally this study will be significant to the societv at larse. This is

because, with the use of computers, productivity could be enhanced; the society

will benefit by way of Improving welfare, that is a higher standard of living. This

is because efficient and effective communication is one of the indices for

measuring standard of living of any given society.

1.5 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

From the foregoing, the following questions are raised and they form the core

of this research.

1. Has the computer technology helped in keeping tracks of NEPA installations,

recording and monitoring of meter?

2 In terms of cost effectiveness, what effect has the computer technoIogy have

the management of NEPA?

3 . Has the computer technology helped in doubling the processing power of

NEPA as its relate to the gowing demand of public network?

I . To what extent has the computer technology helped in solving the problems

billing and accounting in NEPA?

5 . Has there been any effect(s) with regard to effectiveness and efficiency in

operation in the organization of NEPA?

1.6 DEFLNlTlON OF MAJOR CONCEPTS

For the purpose of clarification, the following concepts will be defined:

Information are data that have been coIIated, analyzed, ordered, manipulated and

given meaning which is capable of initiating action. Modum U. (1995).

DA 71 :

Data are information in its raw, unprepared, unanalyzed and unmanipulated

forms. Modurn U. (1995).

C~Oh4PU TER:

Computer is an electronic machine designed to accept data as input, work on data

following a pre-determined instruction and produces information as output at an

incredible speed- Modum U. (1 995).

&!!I. 'OLU710N:

Revolution is defined as a complete change in ways of thinking, method of

working- Dictionary of contemporary English new edition.

MA NA GEMENT:

Management is defined as the process of combining and utilizing or, of allocation

an organization's inputs (men material, and money) by planning, organizing,

directing and controlling for the purpose of producing outputs (goods and services

or whatever the objects are) desired by consumers so that the organizational

objectives are accomplished- Akpala A. (1 990).

C'OhMUNICA T ' . :

John Kotter has defined communication as a process consisting of "a sender

transmitting a message through media to a receiver who responds"

1'1 I E HISTORY OF NATIONAL ELECTRIC POWER AUTHORITY

(NEPA)

Electric Power development in Nigeria started towards the closing year of

the last century when the first generating plant was installed in the city of Lagos

in 1898.

ELECTRICITY CORPORATION OF NIGERIA

In 1950, in order to integrate power development and make it effective,

the Government passed the Electricity Corporation of Nigeria Ordinance No. 15

of 1950. This ordinance brought under one control of the Electricity undertaking

section of the PubIic Works Department.

NATlONAL ELECTRIC POWER AUTHORITY

The National Electric Power Authority was established through Decree No

24 of 1972 following the amalgamation of Electricity Corporation of Nigeria

(ECN) and Niger Dams Authority (NDA). By virtue of that Decree, NEPA was

mandated to "maintain an efficient coordinated and economic system of

electricity supply for all parts of the federation".

Under a partially commercially status, NEPA operation now cover broadly

four major sectors namely:

- Generation and Transmission

- Distribution and Sales

- Finance and Administration; as well as Managing Director's

office.

GENERATION AND TRANSMISSION

The National Electric Power Authority has eight major power stations that

generate electricity for exportation into the Nations Grid System. Six of these

eight power stations generate electricity through Thermal System while the other

three depend on hydro technology.

The Thermal Po .m, Delta -

Ughelli, Egbin, Ijora ar : located at

Kainji, Jebba and Shiwo. rI e s ~ n r ~ y , we roiiil msra~~eu capacity of the

Authority's power station is 6098mv. Also, as part of the positive efforts of

NEP.I\ to ensure that electricity generated reaches the appropriate quarters, it has

now . n plm: 1 1,000 kilometers of transmission lines running across the country.

r w r l i 1 ~ L I J !'ION AND SALES

Iilccr I-icity is one service that is needed all over the country no matter how

m a r c . ~ :emr?te the location may be. It is needed by all irrespective of sexes, ages

and socio-economic classes. Consequently NEPA has put in place numerous

distriliuiion stations, sub-stations and sales offices nation-wide in order to meet

h e hi,$ aspirations of the ever-teeming customer population. Also, the Authority

has p i t ~JI p 1 . i ~ ~ an aggressive revenue drive strategy to collect all monies due to

[he Aulhurity so as to enable NEPA respond timely to the consumers' call for

repairs, ~nirinienance of old installations.

NATIONAL CONTROL CENTRE

The National Electric Power Authority has a Central National Control

centre located at Oshogbo. Through the National Control centre, the Authority is

able to pool together all he electricity generated and transmitted from the various

power stations before such electric power is distributed to the final customers.

Meanwhile, a new supplementary National Control Centre is under constniction

at Shiroro Uydra Power Station. It is located very close to the switchyard and

when completed, the project will serve as a supplement to the existing national

con~rol centre at Oshogbo.

A nine Member Board whose members and chairman are appointed by the

Federal Government runs the affairs of the Authority. The Authority is also

accountable to the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of' Mincs

and Power. The Board is to lay down the Policy of the Authority and the Chief

Executive (General Manager) see to it that all decision of the Board are etficiently

executed.

REFEWNCES

1 . Agwu Akpala (1993) Management: An introduction and the Nigerian

Perspective Gostak Printing and Publishing co. Ltd.,

Uwani, Enugu.

2 Uche Modum (1995) Management Information Systems

Analysis and Design Precision

Printers and Publishers, Achara Layout Eniigi~.

3 . Longman Dictionary of contemporary English. New edition (1995).

4 James A. F. Stone el a1 ( 1 989) "Management" Fourth edition. I'rcnluc I ]all

Inc.

CHAPTER TWO

2.1 LITERATURE REVlEW

Good business is based upon good communication between co-workers,

customers and partners. Understanding, based upon good infbrmation

transmission, requires good human communication skills. Today, however,

communication equipment plays a vital role in assisting communication between

human who are exchanging information and between computers passins data over

networks.

All the nlana~erial functions- planning, organizing, leirding atld contr-ollin~

are necessary for successful organizational pertbrmance. To support these

functions, especially planning and controlling, system for supply in^ information

to managers are of importance. Only with accurate and timely information can

managers monitor progress towards their goals and turn plans into reality.

Business spending has driven growth in computer hardware spending largely.

Firstly, businesses began to use the earliest computer to automate back-ofice

operations such as accounting. With the introduction of the personal computer

(PC) and greater power at the desktop, front-oftice task also were automated. In

each evolutionary step, as the market broadened, computer hardware revenues

gained. [Fred E. David (1 999)l.

The most recent stage in the computer hardware revolution reflect a shift to

network computing. Today, competitiveness in trade and attracting capita1 is more

knowledge intensive than ever before. Through information superhighways, new

technology is eliminating some problem of access to knowledge.

2 .2 lNTERNET

According to Human Development Report (1997) lnternet growth is

acceleratin= faster in developing countries than anywhere else, but it will continue

to be available only to a tiny proportion of people in the poorest couutrics for

n~any years. The Internet is still very much in its early stage of growth

everywhere and is in its infancy is developing countries.

According to the International Data Corporation the number of Internet web

users in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean and Eastern and Central Europe

will almost quadruped from 7.6million today to 2225.6milIion in the year 2001. In

Asia Pacific region, Internet growth will be even faster, rising from 6Smillion

user today to 29.3rniIIion.

In the U.S, the number of web user ahs doubled from 51.6million to

106.8million. Growth in Western Europe will be similar from 23.7million to

56rniliion. Within these regions, several countries enjoy even faster growth rates.

Figures from Argentina, Brazil, Paraguey and Uruaguay suggest that new Internet

connections grew by 352% between January 1997. (Thisday, Wednesday July

1999, Vol. 5 number 1550).

All but four Africa countries now have lnternet connectively and, it estimates

arc to be believed around 700,000 people on the continent- about 0. I% 01' tlic

popdation are now using "Basic Internet Service".

However, estimate of the Internet use need to be treated with caution and

sometimes with skepticism. Estimate if rapid lnternet gowth in Africa, for

example, masks the fact that most Internet growth occurred in just one country-

South Africa. Many more people have access to more basic Internet services such

as E-mail than to the World Wide Web.

According to Matrix information and Directory Services, these were

36million users globally of the "core internet" (people who can e-mail, browse the

web and put up their own web pages) in January 1997 compared to 7lmillion

users of e-mail around the world.

E-mail has always accounted for most Internet use. This is especially the case

in developing counties, where a full internet connection either may not be

available or is unreliable and incapable of dealing with the volume of data needed

for using world wide web, or may be prohibitively expensive. Matrix predicts that

there will be S27million e-mail users and 436million "core Internet" user by the

year 2001. In the light of figure, the Internet comes close to being a mass medium

in industrialized countries but a minority medium in developing countries.

A "host" computer is a computer with a permanent lnternet connection to

which individual users connect through their (usually smaller) client computer.

Exclusively in access to the lnternet has led many to brand it as vet, another

technolo~y that is available only to the wealthy and powerful elite in developing

countries. The true picture is more complex and despite lack ot' ilccCss, thc

1 tlternet is having a real impact.

One consistent criticism centers on the domination of Internet use by men.

Access to information means access to the global internet gender ratio has remain

static for a number years with around 63% male user and 37% female users.

(Thisday, Wednesday July 1999, vol. 5 number 1 550).

What the lnternet means fbr women is reflected in other traditionally

n~aginalized group. Much of the South's lnternet use, particularly in the earlier

years (1993-1995) has been attributed to low cost Non Government Organization

(NGO) networks. The earliest users and dissemination of 1nte1.net use and

technology were academic research organization and organizations belonging to

the Association of Progressive Communication (APC). Such as Green net

(London), and the Institute for Global Communication (San Francisco). These

have actively supported or established networks in Asia, Africa and Latin

America for years, and often provided countries with their only link to the

ln~ernet. Partly because of these initiatives, the Internet may have a greater social

in~pact in developing countries than anywhere else.

'Thisday (1999) equally highlighted that these networks successfUlly targeted

key actors in the developing process international NGOs and local Civil Society

group. Association of Progressive Communication (APC) currently "a consortium

of' 25 international member network providing vital link [s of con~rnunicntiotl to

over 50,000 NGOs activities, educators, policy makers and community lenders in

1 33 countries.

'I'he lrltemet sector in industrialized and developing countries alike is now

I ~ i ~ l l l y con~ptttitive, profitable and likely to flourish with or without the help of the

No11 Governmental Organization (NGO) or donor communities. Egypt, for

:xample, now has more than 15 commercial Internet services provider, all of

~h11:h 11:iv~: started since 1995. More than 100 lnternet service providers have

bee11 established in Sub-Sahara Afiica in the past two years.

E i w the Internet's most ardent enthusiasts urge caution against making

exct-s:ivc: c.laim for it. ''There are more radios per capita than telephone lines, let

al(~ne ;oml)ulers (in Sub- Sahara) says Peter de Costa of the United Nations

Eccmonlic~ Commission for Afiica (UNECA). According to Peter de Costa, if the

objtcliw is to include more and'more communities in the information loop, then

radio, and not the internet is the technology of choice, and will be for quite some

tinx to come. Radio Cover approximately 75% of Afiica's population and

television 40%. The Internet's 0.1% show just how marginal a medium it still is.

Never the less, the internet is spreading rapidly, chiefly because its claimed to

be the most adaptive and flexible information tool invented and is being deployed

in an information hungry, knowledge dependent age.

According to the World Bank's Information development Program, a key

development of the last year is the accelerated use of the Internet as the

networking platform of choice for businesses, institutions and individuals in every

part of the world. Some organizations are pioneering the synthesis of the new and

traditional technologies. Pulser in South America, for example, uses the Internet

to 1 . A news stories to more than 1,000 communities and independent ratio

stari.,rts in 4 S countries.

?I oil GI m s 1; om analysts support this. International Data Corporation (IDC)

pre:trc~ tlw "most growth in web usage will come outside the United States, as

mur, ,)L t i1.1 deveIoping countries embrace information technologies". The

Uni:;d Nalioi~s Confe~ences for Trade and Development (UNCTAD) clearly

think so It has established a 'Trade Point" network consisting of business centers

in 1115 cuu.itrie3 for small and medium sized enterprises in developing countries

to i; rr ; WI business over the Internet.

I'he Inlcs-net is an adaptive technoloby says Ashely Oliver of Pipex, who is

devclol~ir~g mnmercial internet provider in the South "it tends to produce what

conmunj~ie:, requires, rather than meeting the goals for which it was put in tllc

firs1 pI,1cc.

Internei gowth is booming because providing lnternet service makes money.

Generally, it makes money only where there are lucrative businesses and middle

class market and where telephone connection are good. None of these conditions

applies to most rural areas in developing countries, in 1994, 63% of' the

population r - f developing countries lived in rural areas and this group represetus

49% of' the world population.

COMPUTER INDUSTRY SALE

(in thousand of units)

1995 1996 O/U change

Desktop PCs 5 1,493 6 1,088 18.6

I'ortable PCs 9,707 12,412 27 9

Servers 1,670 2,2 16 32.7

Work stations 1,371 1,823 33.0

hl ulti- ilser system 186 224 20 4

Total 64,427 77,763 20.7

Source: Trend Focus, inc. (1 999)

2.3 IMPORTANCE OF COMPUTER TO MANACEMENT

The lnternet is pronlpting a sea - change in international dcvclopmcnt

thinking and many donor and multilateral lending organizations are radically

reshaping their policies in the new information age.

'The World Bank for example has begun to describe itself as the "knowledge"

Bank and will devote its annual World Development Report in 1998 to the role of

laowledge in development. This shift tbllows a growing acceptance of the

importance of communication in development.

However, studies in the field of telecommunication over the past twenty tears

(20 years) by Information Technoloby Unit (ITU), the World Bank and OECD

have demonstrated ratios of the benefits to cost of telecommunications usage from

5: 1 to more than 100: 1 . This is due to improved etticiency in nlanaging rural

enterprises, time saving, saving travel cost and others. (l'hisdi~y August 4 1W0,

v d . 5 uo. I564

111 thc information economy, the 1ntcl.net is a nlcans of' transporting goods to

[liar-kuts through advertising say Bruce Giraid of Pulsar in Ecuaclor. ' I ' l ~c goods ilre

hfor~mtion, not Nicaraguan coffee or Sri Lankan tea.

Computer and information technology is bound to afl'ect all I k e t of uludcrn

nlarqgment system significantly in this new century.

According to Guardian Newspaper (1999) vo1.15, No. 7492, the major

advantages of computerization include:

1 . Enhancement of the overall efficiency of the material management l'unction,

by providing accurate data for decision making;

2. Tim saving - allows material management executive more time to concentrate

on policy formation and decision making by freeing them tiom routine and

repetitive clerical activities;

3 Possible reduction in personnel and administrative costs.

2.4 COMPUTER ROLE LN DATA COMMUNlCATlONS

In just four quick years, the global system of computer networks called the

Internet underwent a metamorphosis from an obscure communication system used

by a limited number of academics and researches to a massivc wcb ot' mure thim

70 million inter-connected computers encompassing uscrs iiorn ill1 watks ot' l i k .

Frcd K. David (1999).

In the process, the Inlernct has been translbrn~cd tbrtn a static, tcst-l)i~s~~l

r~lediunl understandable by a very few to a graphically rich i ~ ~ t c r x ~ i w ~iicdiim

well suited to the fist-growing commerciaVconsumer market. In 1998, the

lnternet should continue to become a larger part of the daily lives of a growing

group of users drawn by its convenience and resources.

The lnternet has one big advantage over traditional media: interactivity.

'I'he wcb is a dynamic ~nediurn for communication in rcal time. In addition, il uscr

on the web can influence and manipulate content.

A web-based magazine, for example, can offer quick links to related web

sites and provide a search feature to find articles on a particular topic. Users can

search indexes for older issues and communication with columnist via e-mail.

Finally, Fred R. David (1999) noted that a magazine on the Internet is not

limited to a predetermined number of pages or by a weekly publication schedule.

Publishers can adjust content throughout the day, without being constrained by

publication dates and physical production and distribution schedules.

Today, the computer plays an essential role in almost A1 business

information exchange over distance, including both voice and data

co~nmunications. For voice messages, computers d \ e n dighielix tl~c sigt~ul,

meaning to convert it into binary form for transmission by light signal over optic

networks. Computers along the way examine the messages and route them on to

their proper destination.

Vcrslraete (1908) higlllighlcd thc Sollowing roles thc colnpulcr j)liiys i t1

teluco~~imunication.

1. Computers can be used to translate messages using on protocol

convention into another, so that they can be properly handled by

systems that are different protocol convention;

2. Computers also can check the messages to determine if some error

has occurred during the encoding or transmission processes. Error

detection and correction protocols are vital to insure the accuracy

of data transmission, and computers make rapid automatic error

checking possible;

3 . Con~munications networks are today coniplotely conlrollcd by tl~c

use of computer tcchr~ology. Con~putcl- ~lclworli such as ~ h c

passed about the network, it is ottcn ~ I C C C S S ~ I I ~ lo stol-c i~

temporarily before scnding it on to its lird dustili;~rion. I;or

example, a connection might bc i~~lavailablc to rci~ch tllc Ii~ul

destination. E-mail messages may have lo be placed i l l clcctronic

mail box until the user is ready to reccivc them. 'I'hesc store and

forward operations depend upon modern computers and their

storage devices;

-I. Of great concern to business operations is the security of

transmitted data. Computers permit the high-speed automatic

encryption of busincss data, which muans to cncodc it using n

secret key so that others cannot read it. They provide ways and

means to prevent unauthorized person from infiltrating company

networks and stealing data or causing damage. They also provide

techniques to authenticate persons sending data over the network

so that the receiver can be certain that the party sending the data is

really who they claim to be;

5. Although modem communications media permit high speed

signals to be sent, there is an cvcr-present concern about thc

carrying capacity of the con~munication network. For t l ~ i ~ t r c n s w ,

data transmission signals are ottcn C O I I I ~ ~ L ' S S L ' ~ SO tlwy COIISIIIIIC

less time in transmission. Computcrs and rclatcd cqitipnlcnt that

they control provide the ability to compress and dccornprcss data

signals for greater transmission etlicioncy;

6 . There are other important roles that computers play in business

communication that is more closely related to the purpose of data

as used for information. The data must be put to use and

computers allow us to handle transmitted data more convenierltly

in the process of making it into usehl business information.

Computers help us to integrate message handling with other user

applications. They facilitate interactions with both the company's

suppliers and its customers;

7. Computers allow us to process business forms for electronic

commerce applications such as electronic funds transfers and

electronic data interchange. Computers can provide electronic

"agents" to sift through e-mail messages or search for information

of interest to us on the public networks. They can store and

displays t&u transmissions so that Paper Filing can be avoided.

So it should be remembered that the role of' conipi~tcrs in hsitlcss

tt.leca~nmunications goes well beyond thc processes ol'di~ta tra~~sriiissio~~.

2.5 HOW TELECONlhlUNICArl'lON I'ECIINOLOGY (C'OiVI ID1I'I'EI<)

11AS C H A N G E D BUSINESS

Information technolohy has become a global revolution. The potential

attributes and benefits of information technoloby to a given society have also been

acceptable as the imperative paradigm. Indeed, information technology is the

acclaimed engine room of modern day global developrncnt and crcaling a

standardized information society o f the fiiture at a phenomenal speed.

The applications of computer technology to management information and

decision - support systems has certainly had an eff'ect on how managers perform

their task and how organizations behave.

Computer technology has had tremendous impact on organization. Stoner

( 1989) highlighted the following points.

1 . Ry increasing status for some middle management positions, more

difference between top and middle management, and

decentralization of the organization.

2. The chief effect of computerization has been the ability of

organizations to process (and create) paper worth with ever-greater

accuracy and speed.

Verstraete (1998) also highlighted the following on how

telecommunication technology has changed busincss/organiza~ion.

3 . Business computer networks allow for the inte~ration oi'busincss

processes over widespread geographical areas, and have thereby

created an explosion in the development of global business

enterprises;

4 Re-engineering business processes means to redesign and develop

ways of achieving process goals with greater efficiency and

effectiveness.

This is done with the aid of new technologies and communication

technologies are among the niosi inlportan~ in I-e-e~lginecring.

According to Verstraete ( l999), comput e1.s and

telecommunication.

Coruputer Technology has enable the re-engineering of business processes to:

1 Shorten the time needed to respond lo cus~on~cs needs

3. Coordinate activities conducted at rumolr: localio~ls

3. Tighten the communication links betwcen custo~i~c~s iwd busitlcss

partners

4. Permit letter access to dislributed data resources

5 Reduce the costs of pert'orming essential business xtivitics.

Conclusively, it is difficult to imagine any medidm - sized of larger

busirws today that does not require computer based telecommunication facilities

lo remain competitive. No matter what your major, a good knowledge of the

techniques and applications of business telecommunication is a very usehl think.

2 6 THE RISE OF MODERN NETWORKING (COMPUTER)

Understanding the evolution of modern data communications technologies

and the rise of business network is useful in understanding why we have arrived at

the point we are today.

Man's earliest business exchange was face to face with others who lived

close by. Over time a need grew for people engaged in business to establish

relationships with distant trading partners and custorncrs. This Icd to thc

developnient of protocols to formally carry out business transactions.

Verstraete (1998) stressed the history of Modern Networking to the mid-

nineteenth century. According to him, in the mid-ninctcenth centilly businesses

hircd telegraph operation to send messages using Morw code, but tlic nlr,l~iplc.xcd

teletypewriter using the Baudot code quickly replaced that tecl~~iology.

Teletypewriters (teletypes) [TTY] were machines that permitted the operator to

type the message on a keyboard and have it automatically translated into 1111:

Baudot Code, and also to translate and print out incoming messages onto a role

paper. The teletypewriters were connected to each other via telecommunication

lines, and the application (the first business data communication application using

electromagnetic Switching) was called administrative message switching.

To set up these data communications application, Verstraete (1998)

cuntinues a company would connect headquarters with point-to-point links to its

regional offices; each location would have a Teletype machine. These were often

s t n q out in series rather as star topologies tbr example; a company would

connect its New York headquarters to its Pittsburgh ofice, and then obtain

another point-to-point connection to its Cleveland oflice, and then to Chicago and

so forth. If headquarters waited to send a message to Chicago, il would first be

printed in Pittsburgh, where it would again be then be rctypad and transmitted to

Cleveland, where it would again be printed and rctypeti I'or its l i d I ~ - ~ I I \ S I I ~ ~ S S ~ L ) I ~

leg to Chicago. That wasn't too etficient.

To improve on this state of communication alt'air, Vcrstraetc (1998) wctit

further to say, a punched paper tape was invented. The Baudot Coda was

represented by holes punched in a Column, A Teletype wits dcsigncd that cot~ld

print and read these paper tapes as well as print out the characters If t tic rncssigc.

had to be fonvarded, the paper type was tom off one machine and sent on another

connected to the next point - to - point link in this early network.

As communication technologies evolved, companies found it economical

to try to develop line-sharing facilities. For example, if a regional headquarters

was opened in St. Louis, it might have to connect to corporate headquarters in

New York and also to the Chicago oftice. Instead of obtaining a new line from

St. Louis to New York, it would be more economical to share the existing line

through Chicago. These were known as Multipoint (transmission) Lines (also

oAen called Multidrop Lines) and permitted a single line to be shared by several

lern~inals connected at various "drop" points. 'They did not require the store and-

tbrward operations of the older torn tape systcm. Ilowever, they had o w

disadvantage - the message was typed out at each "drop" or1 the line so it could be

read by anyone at that drop point. How was confidentiality to be kcpt? 'I'he

solution was some system of line control and the first lint c~ntrol ~ I I ) ( C ) C I ) I W ~ I S

polling.

Polling according to Verstraete (1998) involved the use 01' specially

equipped teletypewriters that could be designated either as I_naster COINI-ol stitCic~r~~

or subordinate slave stations. As line the master control station sent out control

protocol. It would ask each subordinate station on the multipoint (also olkn

called multidrop) line.

As these systems evolved, public networks were created to provide

teletypewriter message services between subscribers, so that companies could

interconnect. The technoloby, based upon this evolving standard, became known

as the TWX network (from teletypewriter exchange). It was developed by AT Rr.

1' and later sold to Western Union. When computers were developed, that is the

technolo~y they first used for communication data.

Verstraete (1998) concluded that over the following decades these

communication technologies evolved. ASCll and EBCDIC evolved from the

earlier Baudot Code. By 1964, improved teleprinters were using the American

standard code for information Interchange (ASCII-7)a seven-level code capable

of producing 1 28 alphanumeric and control signals.

Line control protocols using polling techniques also cvolvcd and wcrc I llc

basis of the first computer networks.

'I'IIE SUMMARY OF TllE REVIEW OF THE KELA'I'ED LII'HKAUKE

The project focused on the revolution in conlmunication and its impact 011

olanagement. The computer technology was used as a point of focus. 'I'his is

largely due to the fact that information technolosy has becoine a global

revolution.

The computer is the acclaimed engine room of modem day global

development and sustainable growth. It is presently designing and creating a

standardized information society of the future at a pheoonlenal speed.

The project also dealt on the importance of computer to organization in

particular and the society at large.

Some communication devices such as Internet, E-mail, and

Teleconferencing was equally discussed and how such devices has helped

organization in improving in improving their comnhnication effectiveness and

etticiency.

COMPUTERS TO TIlE RESCUE Oh' NAl'IONAl. IZ1,I:C'I'RIC I'OWER

AIJ'I'IIOKITY (NEPA)

'I'he use of the computer for data proccssin~ was intrutliwd in I I W

Authority in 1970, and the first in-house computers acquircd in 1973 prirllarily lo

cater for consumer billing and also provide management and technical

iafbnnation. In Lasos area, the computer handles consumers billing tbr-

thousands if not millions of consumers.

In 1979, the billing activity was taken beyond Lagos to include Abcokuta,

Sliagamu and Ijebu-Ode with 27,000, 12,000 and 24,000 consumers respectively.

Oyo and lbadan joined the computerized billing in 1980.

Since-the beginning of 1979, every effort has been made to improve upon

the existing system both in promptness and accuracy. At the end of 1978, owing

LO the damage done to the computer earlier in the year, billing was about two to

thcu ~nunths in ar-rears. This backlog has since been completely c'earud and bills

for consumers now roll out early enough for them to be delivered in the

immediate coming month.

In the area of accuracy of billing, some room exists for improvements.

The end-users of the system in the various districts are yet to respond to the series

of' seminars being held to explain the working of the computerized system.

'The computer equipment the Authority now has comprise of a main frame

IBM 3701135 computer in Lagos located in ljora and CMC Data Entry equipment

loca~ed in ljora and Ibadan. The IBM 3701135 computer was purchased and

installed in January 1979 at the cost of N800, 000.00. Niscr Powcr ficview

( I 0x0)

According to the Niger Powcr Review (1980), corlsun~cr billing is not 111c

only application being run on the computer even thouyh it s~ill constitutus rlle

prime justification for having the equipment. Other applications beiny done are:

a. General ledger system of Headquarters Final Accounts

b. Employee Record System for Headquarters Manpower Control

Group, which maintains basic data for all employees in the

Authority.

c . Order follow-up system, which has recently been discontinued

because its value to the central stories in Oshodi remained

doubtful.

d. Technical programs for Power Systems planning and Commercial

Departments. Progams relating to Load forecasting are being run

for statisticians while other programs for power system studies are

being run for the Engineer.

REFERENCES

1. James A. F. Stone et al (1989) "Management" Fourth edition, Prentice

Hall

Inc.

2. Uche Modum (1995) "Management Information System" Anzlysis and

Design Precision Printers and Publishers, Achara

Layout, Enugu.

3 . "This-day" August 4 1999, vol. 1564. Maintiame Power on a Desktop.

4. The Internet and Poverty, "This day" July 21, 1999 voI. 5 No. 1550

5 . Computerizing the Matcrial Manaycment Furxlions "Gitnrdian" I L l q I K,

vol. 15, No 7,492

6 . Fred R. David ( I 999) "Strategic Management" Cascs 1'1-critic;. I fall, Ncw

Jersey 07458, Seventh edition.

7 . National Electric Power Authority in the 80s published by Public Relation

Dept. Awoleye Press, March 198 1 .

8. Verstraete A. A. (1998) "Computer's Role in Data Communication.

9. Niger Power Review (1980) National Electric Power Authority

CHAPTER THREE

3.0 RESEARCH METHODOLY

This section of the project is devoted to the explanation of research

rnethodolo~y, which enabled the researcher to gather the needed data. To this

end, this chapter has been organized into the following sequence.

1. Target Populationlstudy area

2. Sources of data

3 . Sample size

4. Research Instrument

5 . Research Design

6. Tools of Analysis

3. I TARGET POPULATION

The area of this study was the National Electric Power Authority

(NEPA) Okpara Avenue, Enugu. The study area was made up of the

National Electric Power Authority at Okpara Avenue in Enugu. The

figure for the study was thirty six NEPA Staff.

3 .2 SAMPLE S U E

The researcher drew a sampIe from the target population, which

was a true representation of the various characteristic of the population. In

all, ninety four NEPA Star wlis sampled especially those in the computer

department.

The sample size for this study wils ;~rrivcd at by usins ihc st;~listical

formula stated below

n = N

I -t-N (e)'

Where n = sample number

N= population

.e = margin or error (%)

?'he population of the statT of National clectric Powcr Authority (N11I1A) at

Okpara Avenue Enugu as at the time the investigation was I K O . '1'11~. researclicrr

dccided to allow a margin of error of 1 5%

. n = 180 = 180

1+180 (0.15)' l+l8O(O.O225)

.n is approximately 36

This means that 36 questionnaire was required

RESEARCH XNSTRUMENT.

The instrument that was used in this research work was the

questionnaire and the lnterview method. In the questionnaire method,

both open and closed-ended questions were used. Bot5 prinlary and

secondary data were used.

a Secondary Datr~:

These include excerpts of dato t'ronl Nil t ional 1 iltxtric

Power Authority Zonal Ot'fice rtt Okpara Avcr~uc I : ' I N I ~ I , cxccrpt

from the British Council Enugu, Journals, 'I'estbuoks, I .it'~-it~l~~.c

work relating to the topic, contkrencc papers, ncwspapcrs i ~ n d

excerpts from the Internet

b. Primary Data

Primary data was collected from the following sources

1. Interview with key management staff especially those at the

computer unit.

2. Questionnaire method was used to elicit information.

Questionnaire was administered on NEPA Staff especially

those in the Computer unit using sampling techniques.

3.3 SOURCES OF DATA

The researcher obtained information needed for the present study

through major sources: Primary and Secondary sources.

Under the primary sources, infbrmation was colIected througl~ the

use of questionnaire. Boih close and open-endcd questions wutc usctt.

3.4 RESEARCII DESIGN

This is the major framework 01' collecting, ~nttasuring and

analyzing data. The data usud in lhis study came li-or11 ~ w o I~ ro~ td sotrr-ccs:

secondary and primary sources.

Secoadary Sources:

The secondary sources of data were utilized mainly from the

review of related literatures. This information was obtained mainly liom.

- Textbooks

- Newspapers

Magazines/Journals

Published Research Work

Seminar Papers

Workshop Paper

Except from Internet.

Primary Sources

The primary sources of information were raw data obtained

through questionnaire and face-to-t'ace interview with N.~tionnl Elcctric

Power Authority Enugu. The researcher made sure that the questions

asked has relevance to the goals and objective of the study presently

carried out.

Both closed-ended and open-ended questions wure used in the

present study. Close-ended question are those questions wlicrehy ~ l w

rcspondents wcre given options as its rclatc to tllc qucstiw~s i t~kcd. I'his

was done to ease the problem of completing the questions for the

respondents.

The open-ended gave respondents opportunity to give answers to

the questions based on their views without restricting them to any option,

as it was the case with close-ended questions.

Interview:

This was another sources ot'pritilary data, wllicli w;~s used as il tool

fbr obtaining data h n i the rcspo~idcnts. 'I'hc Iiicc-10-lilcc, orid ~IIICI-view

was employed in galhering of data needed !'or the prescnt study.

3.5 TOOLS OF ANALYSIS

Data collected through administering of' questionnaire and

interview were carefully analyzed and Intcrprcted with L I I C usc ol'

percentage method

3 . THE SCOPE OF T H E STUDY

This study will focus mainly on the computer

technoIogy/communication. This is largely due to the fact that

information technology has become a global revolution. The potential

attributes and benefits of computer technology to a given society and

particularly to management in organizations have bcen accepted as an

imperative paradigm.

The computer is the acclaimed engine room of modcrn day global

development and sustainable growth. I t is presently ticsigr~ing itrltl

creating a standardized information sociciy of' the tirtulc a1 a I ) I I C I I O I I ~ C I I ~ I I

speed.

3 7 THE L1MIrTA1'IONS OP'I'tIE S'TUDY

Like every social investigation, his study l:iccd a ~ ~ u m l ~ c r o f

limitations.

First, the covcrage of the arca of'tlic study ruav 110t bc total 'l'l~is

is because the processes of choosing the siilnplc may prrtclucic. quite il

number of staff from being reached.

Secondly, inadequate Financing may also hamper the execu!ion ot'

the project. It is common knowledge now that there is economic cnrnch

everywhere, this no doubt will affect the study.

Finally, the necessary and adequate literature need for this study

not be readily available in order to make an in-depth research work.

lnspite of these limitations, it is hoped that much would be

,ril~icved nt the end of the study.

SECTION A

'I'AULE I

-1.1.1 AGE STRUCTURE OF RESPONDENT

'I'l~is representation of the age distribution shows [ha( the hulk i11'1Iw s ~ a l l '

is ill the age group of 3 1 - 40. That alone amounted to 55.56 pcrc~vt of'tI1c t01d

wor h I'or cc: i n the sample. Those between the aSe range of 3 1-50 ycars md udc r

70 years amounted to 1 1.10% respectively of the total distribution It is equally

shuwn in the table that those over 50 years of ase were 5.56 percent.

'I7ABI,E 2

4.1.2. SEX DISTRLBUTION OF RESPONDENTS

I Scx No. 01' Respondents

The marital status distribution of this study reveals that a vast number of

h h t f in the Computer department of National Electric Power Authority are

married. As indicated

in the table above, 83.3% of the total respondents arc married while 16.7% are

s~ngle.

' l ' , t U L E 4

4.1.4. C I I I L D I I E N DISI'IIIUU'I'ION 01; KI~:SIDON 1)It:N'I'S

From the above table, it shows that a vast number 01' statl' in National

Electric Power Authority have children within 1 - 4 which accounted to 6 1.1%

while those with 5 - 6 children are 38.9% of the centre population.

'I'A U L E 5

4.1.5. RELIGION DISTRlBUTlON OF RESPONDENTS

Religion or Respondents No. of Respondents Percentage

IOU

' I ' k religion distribution of this study r-weds Illat, a vast nu~rlbcr. ol' stall' in

National Electric Power Authority stall'art. CIII-isliarls. As i~diciitcd ir1 tlu above

table, 94.4% o f the total respondents art: Cl~r i s~ ians while 5.6 arc hloslc.111.

4 1.6. EDUCATION DlSTRlBUTION OF RESPONDENTS

Educational N o of Respondents Percentage of Respondent. ---- WAEC / GCE 8 22.22

OND / NCE

1 IND / BSC

Natiorial Electric Power Authority. 'I'ht: above table sllows that a virst ul;r-iot.ily 0 1 '

10

hl. SC

NEPA Staff possesses I-INU/BSC degree, which accountcd Ibr -1 1 67 %. 'I'his is

27.78

15

3 I X . 3 3

f'ollowed by individuals with OND/NCE, which accounted to 37.78 % ot' thc

4 1.67

entire I-espondents. WAEUGCE and MSC accounted to 33.22% and 8.33%

respectively.

'l'.4 U 1, E 7

4.1.7 UUKATION OF SERVICE DISTRIBUTION OF RESPONDENTS -

Duration of Service

Above 21) years

No. of Respondents -----

Percentage

SECTION B

The main questions this research attempted to answer are stated below:

ICESEAHCI-I QUESTION ONE

Has the computer technology helped in keeping tracks of NEPA

irisrallalion, recording and monitoring of meters?

Computer Dept YO

Entry Section --.--

Operations Section V 2 5

The a b w c tiible is tl~c analysis 01' 1lw vicw ol' I C S I ) O I I ~ L ' I I I ~ 011 C O I ~ ~ I M I L ~ I .

technology and NEPA installations, recording and monitoring ol'rnctcrs.

In the control section of the cornputcr department, 33 33% werc of tlic

view that the computer technology has helped NEPA in its NEPA installations,

recording and monitoring. In the Entry and Operations Sections, 22.22% and

25% were of the view that the Computer technology had help thc organization

Also, in the control section, 8.33% were of the view that the computer

irchnutogy had not help the organization in anyway. The Eniry section and

operation equally share the same view. This amounted to 5.56 and 5.56

respectively.

From the above analysis one can conclude that the computer technology

have had a great impact on NEPA.

C'onqmrt'r k p t . Yes

'I'lw h o v e table shows the analysis of the views of respondents on the cost

etl'cciiveness of using the Conlputer System.

The table shows that the Control Section, Entry Section and the Operation

Section is of the view that the Computer System has reduce the cost of gathering

of data. These amounted to 19.44%, 36.1 1 % and 27.75% respectively. While

those respondents who behaved that there has not been any positive cost cfkct on

usilig [lie Computer- Systenl are Control Sectiolt 5.55%, I h l r y Scciiol~ 5.559," a ~ ~ d

Opcr-atiorls 5.55%.

' 1 ' 3 ~ s ~ sespondcrtls ~ I i o hiid rto vicws wliclhc~. II1c ( ' O I I I I N I I C ' I ~ ~ ~ c I i ~ i o I o ~ : ~

has l ~ i d iiIIy c l l k ~ t ill ~ C S I I I O ~ W S ~ c l ~ ~ c ~ ~ v w c s s i i ~ ~ i i ) i ~ ~ ~ l ~ d 10 C ' O I I ~ I ~ [ Scctiiui O"O.

1lri11-y Scctiun 09.6 and Operation 0%.

t;ronl the above tablc, one can concludc illat I I W cotqwlcr- ~ c c h ~ o l o ~ y II;IS

had positive: impact on the manage~iicnt of Na~ioni~l 1~~lcclr.i~ I'owu :Iulltor-i~y ill

t I u t I he cost ul' Operations and Control has reducud.

KESEAHCII QUESTION T H R E E

Ilas the Computer technology help in doubling the processing powcr. ol'

NIiI'A as i ts relate to the growing demand of public network'?

Conlpu~er Dcpt. Yes

Control Scction

Total No. %

'I'hc iibuvc tablc i s thc H I I ; ~ ~ S ~ S 111' ~ l i c vicws trl ' I - C S ~ ~ ~ I I ~ ~ ~ I I I S 01 ' I lic rloul)li~lr:

Imwsaing power NEPA in usills C O I I I ~ L I I L ' ~ S Y S ~ I I I i l l llicir O I ) ~ ~ ; I I ~ O I I S

111 flic Control Section of the: Clo~i~putc~' Ucpar-t111c111, 37.78% ~ ~ t ~ s p o r ~ d c ~ ~ t s

lrc ut' the view that the Coniputer Syste~il has had u gcat ~ I I I ~ I C I i l l I I I C ~ I -

)roctssitig cupacity. Entry Scction itrid Opcl-ation Sccticm uccou~~tcd li~r. .].I .;.Po

trld 27.7550 respectively.

'I'hose respondents who do not believe that the Conlpulcr Systcr~ Iiavc not

lo~rble the processing power of NEPA are Control Section 3.78%. Entry 2.78%

mci Operation 5.56%.

111 conclusion, 88.89% i s of the view that the Computer System has

loubled the processing power due to the growing demand of public network.

RESEARCH QUESTION FOUR

To what exten: has the Computer technology helped in solving the

pvblerns of billing and accounting in NEPA?

C'omputer System has tc some extent solve the billing and accounting J ) I ~ O ~ I ~ I I I S 01'

liespundent Computer Dept.

NEI3A. While 44.44% and 1 1 . 1 1 % equally share the same view i n thc l'nlry and

Oper-ation Section respectively.

Yes % No YO Don't Know %

I i i [he Control Section, 1 1.13% were of the view that the Computer

Systeni has not made any impact in the organization. While 5.55% of the Entry

Section and 8.33% of the Operation share the same view.

IiESEAHCH QUESTION FIVE

I l;~s there been any ell'rct with regal-ds to etl'ectivcncss and cllicicwcy i n

C)peration in the organization of NEPA'?

Kesporidcnt Yes Comp~~ter Dept.

66.65 Total

'I'he above table shows the analysis of the views of respondents 011 tlic

clli.ctiveness and efficiency of Computer technology to the managerticlit ot'

National Electric Power Authority (NEPA).

111 the Control Section, 16 65% of the respondents bclicvcd that had

:ulpruvr: the eflectiveness and of their operations. While in thc Entry and

Operation Section 22.22% and 27.78.1% share the same view respectively.

In the Control Section 5.55% of the respondents is of the view that the

C'oitlputer technology has not improve the ciliciency in ttwir- operution. 'I'he

Entry arid Operation Section sham thc vicw, which iiuiourltcd tcr 1 1 . 1 190 a d

I6 b5?0 reqxctively.

DISCtISSlON 01; f ~ I N U I N G S

'I'he researclw obtained inhrnlaliun thruugh intcrvicws rind qucs~icm~;ii~c

r l lu l l lo~ l

I hc qiiestion I l in thc cpc.stionnairc: sincc thc il~trodi~ction 01' ~ ' ~ I I ~ ~ I I [ c ' I .

t c c l ~ n u l ~ ~ y i n your organization has tlwc bccn iilly cllt.cl wit11 ~ c p d s to

ct1~c~ivc.ness and efKciency?

I t could be inferred from the view of the respondcnts ol'thc tlircc scctions

ol' I I K Con~puker deparlrnent studied, that each scctions bclicicd tllirl tl~c

C'wxipu~er technology has to some extent improve the etl'ectiveness and ctlicicncy

ot'lhe operations and activity of NEPA.

In question 15 in the questiomaire: What are those factors militating

a ~ ~ t i ~ i s t the etiective and eficient means of communication in National Electric

I'owtx Authority?

'fhe factors include the follow-ing: -

I . Lack of adequate co-ordination berwcn the Coliiputcr- ~ C ~ > ~ ~ I - ~ I H C I I I i111d

olli~f sources of getting ilihrniation. I:OI- C S ~ I I I I ~ ) I C lhc M ~ I I L L - I ~ I I $ i111tI

Accounting dt3pib1-t I IWI~L.

> I .i111ikd COIII~UICI. SYSIC'III

1

.>. Must Coniniunicalicm equiprnciit arc obsolc~c

4. Lack of Maintc~iancc: Culturc on [hc: part ol' h~laiiirgcri~c~l~.

5 . . hlosr of the Statf are artisan, and not cduc;\tio~i

11. Sliortage of cxpcrienccd and qualiticd pcrsol~~lcl

7 Cur-poru te Policy utljcctivc

X . Inlerpretation of report

I n question 18 and 19 in the questionnaire; tllc Cost ~'ITc~ti~cncss c)t'(I~c C O I I I ~ ~ C ' I .

technology to the organization, It could be ini'erred tion1 the views ol' tllu

respondents of the three sections that the Computer technology has helped to

reduce the cost of operation in the organization especially where fcw hands arc

I-ecpired to man the system.

011 the whole, one can conclude that the Computer technology has helped

tlic o~gdnization in so many ways. From my findings also, the Computer

~eolmology is without its own shortfalls. According to some respondents. One

major problem they enter using the system is how to interpret the data generated;

b i ~ l c t : most ofthe staff are not well educated

SI I hlblAKY OF MAJOR FINDINGS, RECOiVIMENDATlON AND

CONCLUSION

5.1 FINDINGS

In this study, Revolution in communication and its inlpact was

carried out using die Natiorinl Electric I'OWL'I- Author ity ( N I :PA) 111111y1 ;IS

a cast: study. The fbllowing tirldi~igs wcrc 111i1dc:. 'Ilic ('OIIIINIILY

~echnolosy has ~nade great impact or1 IIic org;rnicirtiori ill I I I C li~Ilo\vrr~~

n ay

1 Bills coriles out eurlicr

3 Paynwnts are posted on tinic

7

3 Fast processing oi'int'orrilation tllrou~h data arc 1110s~ ~ \ C C I I I . ~ I ~ C

-1. It is less prone to er-ror

5 Storage of data are morc permanent

6 There is higher productivity

7. Less manpower is needed in operation

b: 13roduction of bills as at when due

9. Proper and faster maintenance of account records

I 0

I I .

13.

13.

11.

15.

l b .

17.

I S .

tlild

Accuracy of records

Efficiency of services

More accurate financial figure

Faster decision f ig~~re for nlanagement decision

it aids easier accounting/Audiling procedure

More effective and eficient Public Relation

EA'ective Communication

Mores cost et'fcctive in the busi~icss world

01-ga~iized report thiit aid Iniiliiig~[ll~!lt decision

I t was also tbutid out that i~ltliougl~ ~lic ( ' c m p i l tct t cclll~olog Ius

positive impact on thc I ~ ~ ; I ~ I ~ ~ C I I I L ' I I ~ 01' Ni~lio~l;~l I :IL'cII.Ic' I'o\vc'I.

Aulliol-ity, the organizalior~ hi~s scrics ot' p11h1'11is 111il i t ;11i11~ ;;tpirisl

alkctive and elf cicnt comlnunicatior~ ~ ' I I O S C ~ ~ C I L I I C ' I I I S i11-c

I Lack of adequate co-ordination betweeti tliu Cotliputcr d~prllncrlt a11c1

otl~er sources of getting inl'ortnation. For example, [lie mat-ke~iny and

Accounting department.

2 All the departments are not fully computerized hcncc a break in

communication.

3 Limited Computer System

4 Lack of maintenance culture on the part of management

5 Poor Financing

6 Most of the comnlunication equipment are obsolete

7 No proper training for staff members

S tquipment may not accom~nodate proper network connection.

9 Shortage of experienced personnel

10 Corporate poticy objective.

I I Level of aware is low, which makcs intcrprc*talirm oI' I - C ~ O I I vcry tlillicult

on the part ol'tl~e slaty and custonlcr s.

l'hcrc arc also ~ l i c p~ thlc~ns of ~rr,rilrtcl~;mc-c (111 lire- O,II I ol'

hlauagement Tllese ptnblct~ns a[ c -

I Latetiess in providing slatiullcl ics l i r l w c l ~ h

3, Replacement 01' prin~ Ilcad

, 3 lnsutlicicnt man-power to ~nnn tl~c available systciir

4 Lack of Computer eng' ~rncel-s

5 Lack of experienced personnel

CONCLUSION

Communication has been described as the life-wire of any

organization, and where these are no effective and efticient means of

communication, there will be no organization.

Computer technology espccially the use of lritcr~ict has niaclu tlic

wurld a micro place espccinlly organizations.

Computcl- technology Ilas hiid ~ ~ - c o l ir l~pi~c~ o11 Ni~tio~~al I~lcbc~ric-

I c r Autlioity. 'I'l~at not witlistu~itfi~~g. n lo1 ot'wor k IIL-cds lo Iw clcwc- lo

l l ~ 1 1 i 1 1 1 1 i l 1 1 l i l ~ ~ l k * ~ ' i i l l l y will1 1'~Y:;ll'ds I t )

recounting espcriwccd alid qu;~lilic.ci ~~cl-sonl~cl 10 I I I ; I I I OIL, L I ) I I I I ) L I I C Y

syslclll.

Finally, purchasin~ up-ti) dntc ccl~ripilc~lt and i ~ i ~ p r t w i l ~ ~ O I I 1 1 1 ~ i r

rnaintenitnce culture is incvita!h lix lhc ol-si~l~izi~Iic)n 10 lilncliol~

efkctively and etliciently.

5.3 RECOMRIENDATIONS

Having completed this research work on the Revolutior~ ol'comrn~~tlicaticsn

and its impact on management, using National Electric Power Authority

knugu as a case study, it is worthwhile to makc some recommendations.

' h ey are as follows -

There should be an effective networking system

Personnel should be trained tbr the job

Personnel should be trained on hard-warc mnintenrlnce

All hindrances that atfect con~nlunication tlow S I I O L I I ~ bc t o ~ i l l y

eliminated.

More dcpar-tnlcnts uscd to bc con~putct i d .

More liicilities i111d c q u i p ~ w ~ t I I C ~ 1 0 IW i i ~ ~ ~ i i l l ~ d L Y ~ ~ I ; ~ I I L I *

opcratio~l

More qualified man-puwr shodd bc r.w 11i1c.d

More funds should bc liladc av;~ilablc cspccially tlic ~ ' o ~ i q ~ u t ~ ~

department to purcllasc 1 1 1 ~ ncccssiii y cqi~ipr~lcrlt.

Good conducive environment ibr Cornpukr Opct-aticws

Regular Supply of Conlputer accttssorics

More Computer training to update statkrs

Purchase of modern and update equipment

Practice adequate maintenance culture

Improvement of public relation through advert

15. Provision of inter-departmental telephone

16. Motivation of Personnel

17. Training programmes for staffers at various categories

i 8. Fund availability to meet organizational needs

19. Provision of a functional co-ordination otlice that will includct

computer marketing and accounting s t a K

:\11EL4 IiOK FUTHEK RESEAIZCH

This study is based on the revolution in communication and its impact on

management. Due time constraints. the researcher could the entirc study.

Furtlier effort should be gcar.cd towards lindirrg out tllc p1.01~lcii1

associalion with commuilicalion arid proll'er pcwiblc solu~io~l lo solviy such

prchlcrn.

licscarch is sccn as a mcans to an cnd; not an cud i l l itscll.. It is ~llc.rc1i~1-c

I~upeci that this work will scrvc 3s r1*ti'1~1cc poilit iiw oll~cr. I - C S C ~ I I ~ ~ ~ ~ C I ~ S

liesearchcr should focus on tllc r~~ainlcnaricc wllurc iwd Ilic p~-ol~lcru of' t l , i i i ~ i i i i ~

stdl'r~ieii~bers in order to acllievc organizational goals i n ort.y~ii;c.atio~i

BIBLIOGRAPI-IY

1 Agwu Akpala (1993) Management: An Introduction and the Nigerian

Perspective Gostak Printing and Publishing co. Ltd.,

Uwani, Enugu.

7. UCIIC RIC~CIUIII ( 1995) M;tnilge~ll~[lt 111 t b r ~ l i a ~ i o ~ ~ SYS(CIIIS

Analysis and Dcsign P rwi s i~n

Printers itnd Publislwrs, Acliara l..;iyc)ut I Inugu.

.i. L.o~ig~ilan Dictionary ot'contonlporary Irlg,lish. NW cdi1i011 ( 1005).

Layout, Enugu.

7 '-'l'llis-day" P.ugust 4 1999, vol. 1564. Mainframe Power on a Desktop.

b: 'l'he Internet and Poverty, "This day" July 21, 1999 vol. 5 No. 1550

9 Computerizing the Material Management Functions "Guardian" May IS,

vol. 15, No 7,492

10 Fred R. David (1 999) "Strategic Management" Cases Prentice Hall, New

Jersey 07458, Seventh edition.

1 1 National Electric Power Authority in the 'IOS published bv Public Relation

Dept, Awokye Press, March 198 1

12 Verstraete A. A. (1 9%) "Computer's Role in Data Communication.

1 3 Niger Power Review (1 980) National Electric Power Authority

University of Nigeria,

Department of Management,

Faculty of Business Aclrninistration

Enugu Campus.

'I'he researcher is an MBA student of the above named Clniversity. She is

conducting a research on "Revolution in Communication and its impact on

hlaniigement". Kindly supply the needed infbrmation, wl~ntcvcr- the option you

give will be treated with strict conliderlcc.

I Age: (a) Under 30yrs ( ) (b) 3 1 - Wyr-s ( ) (L,) . I I 5 0 yrs ( )

? - W h a t is your sex'? (a) Male ( ) (b) I;cn~alc ( )

-1 I t 'hat is your tnariti~l starw? (a) Si~iglc ( ) (b) h l ; ~ ~ r icd ( )

4 N u n d x r of children? (a) 1 - 4 ( ) (b) 5 ( ) (c) o i111d above

i . What is your religion? (a) Christianity ( ) (b) Islam ( )

(C Others ( )

o What is your level of education? (a) WAECIGCE ( )

(b) OND/NCE ( ) (c) HND/B.SC. ( (d) M.SC. j

(d) Ph.5 ( ) (e) Ph.D ) it) Others( )

7 What is your

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

S . Iiow long have you work for the National Elcctric Power Authority

(N E ['A I,?

Do you h ~ t . co11lputc.r dcpart~nc~it i l l N:~~iotliil I~lcc*tl ic I'o\vcv r \ ~ ~ ~ l ~ o l ity"

('1) Yes ( 1 (b) No ( )

ll'ycs to yestion 0 above, when did i t co~nc illto csisccllcc (;I) 5y1-s aso ( )

(b) I0 - 20yrs ( ) (c) ;rbovc 30yrs ( )

Since the introduction of computer technology in organi~ation. Ilas ~l~cr-c

been any effect with regards to efTtxtiveness and elli5ency in opcl-ations.

@ ) Y e s ( ) ('4 ( )

With reference to question 12, state reasons for your answcr:

(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(b) . . . . . . . . . .

. .

(c) . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . .

What kind

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

of effects does

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

the computer technology have on your

organization with respect to billing and accounting system'?

(a) I'ositivc: eftkcts ( ) (b) Ncgativcl cll'cc~ ( )

I -I I%me state reasons for your nnswcr to rluc'stion 1.3 ; ~ l ) c w

(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . .

(b ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . .

(c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . .

j d) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . .

15 . What are those factors militating ayainst the effective a~ld efficient means

of communication in National Electric Power Authority?

(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

I O. What roles do human plays in information exchange.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (a)

17. Do you have sutticient manpower to man the computer qsteni?

(a) Sufticient ( ) (b) Nor suflicient ( ) (c) biircly sulliciotlt (

)

I 8 Is the inlroduotion ot' oompirtcr tccI111010gy IIWC cost c lkct i~c I I I sc11i113

itll'ormation and passing such inlbi-n~ution lium pel-sotl to ~ C I W I I ; i t ~ d 1i.o111

department to depafl mc~lt (a) Ycs ( ) (b) No ( )

19, Kindly give reasons Ibr your answer lo qi~eslion 18:

(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . .

r, -0 ln terms of maintenance of the computer system, how efiicient is it?

(a) Eficient ( ) (b) Not efficient ( ) (c) Fairly eficient (

)

21 Kindly state problems if any associated with maintaining the computer

syslern

(4

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

37 Suggest ways of improving the information/commu~~icatior~ flow ill - -

NationaI

Electric Power Authority - NEPA:

(b) . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . .

(c) . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . .

(d) . . . . . . . . .