THE EFFECT OF THE INTRODUCTION OF COMPUTER INTO ORGANIZATION IN NIGERIA A CASE STUDY OF SHELL PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT, PORT HARCOURT REFINERY COMPANY (PHRC) EASTERN DIVI

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

A computer is an electronic devices, which is under the control of instructions (programmes) stored in its memory, has the ability to accept input, process the input, produce required output and also store information or data for future use of reference.

The invention of the telegraph, television transistors, system unit have profoundly influenced the way we live today. Each of the advances has sprawled a technical revolution which in turn has reached the confines of technology to effect the way we live, work and see the world.

The introduction of computer based system produces the most recent and existing of all revolutionary technical advances, its profound impact in our daily lives and on the business community delude all imagination.

In our professional lives, the computer is an integral tool in the performance of many jobs, managers for instance, use the package of “word processing” system to compose memos and spell checking grammar and style etc. Geologist rely on an “expert” computer system for guidance in the guest for minerals. Also bankers “up to the minute securities information from their computer terminals”. However the development of this century, there has been an increased emphasized on the need for the introduction of the computer based management manager more efficiently and effectively and to provide a more positive service in the organization. In the past, corporation have fallen to see the need for such a system. Organization especially in Nigeria are slow to appreciate these benefits, which such a system yield.

However, the gradual introduction of computers into organization in general and particularly for administrative purposes could be attributed to the following reasons.

Firstly, top-level managers, have been involved in the negotiation and agreements covering the introduction of and the use of computer based technology in their organization.

Secondly, the work being carried out in most personnel department in various organizations in Nigeria has become a reality, so much, so that computer need to be introduced to promote efficiency.

Thirdly, the presence of their devices in organization draws a line between “prosperous and “Non prosperous” companies in the eyes of Nigerian.

Despite the appreciation of the need, computers based management information. System, it is not easy for organization to appreciate fully what a computer can do for it.

This project work therefore intend to promote a greater understanding to effect the introduction of computer to organizations in Nigeria especially it’ benefit in relation to the management service functions envisaging that together, they will combine to harness and promote this new technology most efficiently.

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

It is said that to manage an organization is to manage it’s future. How can the future be managed? The answered clearly is that the future can be managed through a timely procurement of relevant and reliable information. The storing and retrieval of these items of information is the complement of it’s procurement. The whole lot of activities therefore is ranging from validation and analysis to feed back make up what can be seen as a system.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Computers are electronics devices in terms of mere definition. In actual sense, it is the latest innovation in technology computerized management system with a view to reducing the benefit or other wise in taking such a decision.

In addition it will also help to expose those areas in which management as well of computerized firms have firms have failed to take advantage of the device of the computer within the organizational data processing and procurement as well as analysis area and therefore point the way to optimal utilization of installed capacity.

The study will go further to uphold or deny some presumptions that have existed around the computer displaces people from their jobs for instance, will be analysed.

In the same view, this study will also seek to portray how far the introduction of the computer into organization has solved the latent problem of the manual system and also, it will examine whether managers and other staff of the organization prefers computer system to the manual system why?

Finally, the study would also provide and appraised of the operational performance of the computer system with particular reference to shell petroleum Development Company Nigeria Limited Port Harcourt and the problems associated with the use advancement as it relates to the overall running of an organization.

Its major function include the sourcing and storing of many years of data in it’s memory banks of the computers. This over wheeling innovations has granted organization twice and edge in decisions making them if every envisage a decade ago, this is why it is important to introduce this device to organization in Nigeria especially consider the benefit that is been derived from it’s introduction.

This stud therefore is geared towards addressing the following problems.

1. To determine the extent of awareness and installation of computer in organizations like shell petroleum Development in Nigeria, Nitel, Enugu and Port Harcourt Refinery a subsidiary of NNPC.

2. To encourage the acceptability of computer by employee of shell, Nitel Port Harcourt.

3. To compare the production of these organization before and after installation of computers.

1.3 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

This project is limited to the affect of introduction of computer into organization. It aims at setting up a frame work for analysis a company with a computerized management system with a view to deducing the benefit or otherwise in taking such a decision.

In addition it will also help to expose those areas in which management of computerized firms have failed to take advantage of the device of the computer within the organizational data processing and procurement as well as analysis area and therefore point the way to optimal utilization of installed capacity.

The study will go further to uphold or deny some presumptions that have existed around the computer. Such idea widely held that the computer displaces people from their jobs for instance, will be analysed.

In the same view, this study will also seek to portray how far the introduction of the computer into organization has solved he latent problems of the manual system and also, it will examine whether managers and other staff of the organization prefers computer system to the manual system why?

Finally, the study would also provide and appraised of the operational performance of the computer system with particular reference to shell Petroleum Development Company Nigeria Limited port Harcourt and the problems associated with the use of the machine, also attempt shell be made to prefer possible solutions to minimize and if possible eliminate the problem.

1.4 SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

The scope of this study is only confined to the effect of introduction of computer into organization especially in shell Port Harcourt with particular reference to the designating system. The adoption of the billing system will help in proving the relationship between the billing system and the profitability level.