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ATTITUDES OF OFFICE PERSONNEL TOWARD ADVANCED OFFICE TECHNOLOGY (WORD-PROCESSING, DATA-PROCESSING, INFORMATION-PROCESSING, AUTOMATION)
Abstract
This study analyzed attitudes of office personnel toward advanced office technology (AOT). The research measured attitudes of five job categories, determined relationships between attitudes and eighteen demographic factors, and determined if there was a difference in attitudes among job categories. The sample consisted of 247 members of six professional associations. Overall AOT attitudes were positive. The most positive attitudes were held by middle managers, followed by systems analysts, supervisors, and secretaries. Clerical personnel had a significantly more negative attitude than the other job categories. Most respondents were receptive to an AOT-instigated shorter work week, were not receptive to alternative work places, and felt that AOT would be responsible for improved office reorganization. Respondents indicated that though AOT was inevitable, it would have a mixed impact on office employment, create more stimulating positions for entry-level personnel, and increase office productivity. Clerical personnel perceived increased job pressure, isolation, and monotony. Most workers looked forward to AOT job-related changes and felt pressured to learn about AOT, yet found company-sponsored training inadequate. Although most respondents were concerned about crime and privacy, concern about health was mixed. Attitudes became more positive as AOT knowledge increased, supervisory style became more participative, and job variety increased. Attitudes became more negative as age increased, office work experience increased, and working conditions deteriorated. Supervisors' attitudes became more negative as educational level increased, and clerical workers' and secretaries' attitudes became more negative as tenure increased. As office personnel aged, their feelings of AOT-related emotional stress intensified. Significant relationships were found between attitudes and industry type. The present findings supported previous studies which recommended the use of participative, humanistic management strategies and job enrichment programs. New recommendations included paying special attention to: clerical working conditions, AOT fears of older secretaries, and ergonomic AOT implementation. Furthermore, the present research supported: (1) "AOT concept" training, which goes beyond "hands-on" operation; (2) retraining clerical personnel for upgraded positions; and (3) training managers to understand realistic AOT capabilities.
Subject Area
School administration
Recommended Citation
KIZZIER, DONNA LORRAINE MCALISTER, "ATTITUDES OF OFFICE PERSONNEL TOWARD ADVANCED OFFICE TECHNOLOGY (WORD-PROCESSING, DATA-PROCESSING, INFORMATION-PROCESSING, AUTOMATION)" (1985). ETD collection for University of Nebraska-Lincoln. AAI8526595.
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissertations/AAI8526595