THE ROLE THE OFFICE MANAGER IN ENSUING AN EFFECTIVE DECISION MAKING PROCESS IN THE MODERN OFFICE

ABSTRACT

Office management has identified one of what companies require to dominate in an industry. Past studies have dealt with office management too broadly without considering specific aspects of office management which has led to a limited level of understanding on the extent to which the comprehensive nature of office management has influenced firms’ performance in decision making. The specific objectives of the study sought to determine the role of office management in effective decision making in a modern office.  To achieve this objective, the study adopted explanatory and cross-sectional survey design. The target population of this study comprised of all the forty three organizations in Nigeria. The unit of observation was the functional area in each bank, whereas the unit of analysis was organization. Five functional areas were identified in each organization comprising human resource, finance, marketing, information communication technology, and operations. This study used primary and secondary data. Primary data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. The questionnaire was administered using drop-and-pick later method. Secondary data was collected using document review and was used to validate information collected through the questionnaire. The response rate in this study was approximately seventy three percent which was considered sufficient for making inferences and drawing conclusions.

CHAPTER ONE

Introduction

1.1  Background To The Study

Decision making constitute fundamental functions of the office manager in almost every day transaction of the business of the organization. Such decision as managerial decisions, routine, and operational decisions. Are fundamental for meeting the objectives of the organisations. According to Drucker (1967). Effective decisions result from a systematic process, with clearly defined elements, that is handled in a distinct sequence of steps’ [Drucker, 1967]. Office managers have key roles to play throughout the effective decision making process. Decision making is becoming the basis of competitive advantage and value creation for organisations. Improving decision making could be the key to superior business performance if global markets give all organisations access to similar resources and competition causes many business processes to converge on world-class standards. The quality of decision making could become the key differentiator and link in the value chain. The office manager must take into consideration relevant factors such as the culture, ethics, and the strategic direction of the business in taking effective decision of the business. Relevant steps include 1.Frame the issue; This is a key step. Issues must be properly framed to balance a broad view with efficient focus. Appropriate parties must be engaged. Stakeholders’ interests are taken into account in determining the objectives at this stage. In businesses that are managed for value, the main criterion will be the impact on shareholder value. 2. Assemble information; Relevant information impinging on the issue at stake consisting of the business’ current financial and competitive position. Customer values are taken into consideration in the process.

3. Select alternatives; Alternatives should be selected on the basis of evidence and analysis rather than personal opinions. Risks must be identified as either ‘deal-breakers’ or issues to be managed. Management accountants can facilitate unbiased, evidence based decision making. They can provide consistent quantitative and qualitative analysis of the situation and proposals. 4. Decisions; The decision maker(s) should have the authority to take the decision. Role clarity and understanding is important here so that decisions are reached efficiently and not delayed or swayed by other interested parties. 5 Manage implementation and impact; Managing implementation through to impact requires that the decision should be clearly communicated and the expected outcomes reflected in performance management metrics. Quantifying or describing potential outcomes and, if appropriate, the potential next steps after each outcome, will enable implementation to be managed and appropriate action taken promptly. This will ensure that goals are achieved.6. Feedback Trial and error may be allowed as tactical experiments within acceptable risk parameters, but repeating past mistakes should be inexcusable. The decision and matters considered should be properly documented for post audit or learning purposes. The outcome of past decisions should be captured as part of the corporate memory to ensure that lessons are. The research seek to appraise the Role of the Office Manager in Ensuing an Effective decision making process in the Modern Office

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Decision making constitute a fundamental function of the office manager which must be carried out effectively to determine the strategic choices of the organization with the view of attaining the objectives of the organisations. Consequently the process of carrying out organizational effective decisions must be followed according to peter drucker (1967).However many organisations have treated the issue of decision making with levity not considering relevant issues that bear in the taking of effective decision making. This has led to loss of both resources and revenue. According to [Drucker, 1967]. Effective decisions result from a systematic process, with clearly defined elements, that is handled in a distinct sequence of steps’ [Drucker, 1967]. Office managers have key roles to play throughout the effective decision making process. Decision making is becoming the basis of competitive advantage and value creation for organisations. Improving decision making could be the key to superior business performance if global markets give all organisations access to similar resources and competition causes many business processes to converge on world-class standards. The quality of decision making could become the key differentiator and link in the value chain. The office manager must take into consideration relevant factors such as the culture, ethics, and the strategic direction of the business in taking effective decision of the business. The problem confronting the research is to determine The Role the Office Manager in Ensuing an Effective decision making process in the Modern Office

1.3 Objectives of the Study

1. To determine the relationship between good office practice and effective decision making process in modern office in Nigeria.
2. To establish the relationship between adequate office equipment and effective decision making process in modern office in Nigeria.
3. To establish the mediating effect of human capital repository on the relationship between office management and effective decision making process in modern office in Nigeria.
4. To determine the moderating effect of firm’s culture on the relationship between office management and effective decision making process in modern office in Nigeria.

1.4 Research Hypotheses

H01: good office practice has no relationship with effective decision making process in modern office in Nigeria.

H02: adequate office equipment has no relationship with effective decision making process in modern office in Nigeria.

1.5 Significance of the Study

The research shall appraise the Role of the Office Manager in Ensuing an Effective decision making process in Modern Office.

1.6 Scope of the Study

The study focuses on the appraisal of the Role the Office Manager in Ensuing an Effective decision making process in the Modern Office

1.7 Limitations of the Study

The research was confronted by some constraints including logistics and geographical factors.

1.8 Definition of Terms

DECISION DEFINED

Decision making involves the process of making a choice between stated alternatives solutions to a given problem situations bearing in mind critical decision criteria directed at meeting the objectives of the organization. Decision making constitute a fundamental function of the office manager which must be carried out effectively to determine the strategic choices of the organization with the view of attaining the objectives of the organization.

GET THE FULL WORK

DISCLAIMER:
All project works, files and documents posted on this website, projects.ng are the property/copyright of their respective owners. They are for research reference/guidance purposes only and the works are crowd-sourced. Please don’t submit someone’s work as your own to avoid plagiarism and its consequences. Use it as a guidance purpose only and not copy the work word for word (verbatim). Projects.ng is a repository of research works just like academia.edu, researchgate.net, scribd.com, docsity.com, coursehero and many other platforms where users upload works. The paid subscription on projects.ng is a means by which the website is maintained to support Open Education. If you see your work posted here, and you want it to be removed/credited, please call us on +2348159154070 or send us a mail together with the web address link to the work, to hello@projects.ng. We will reply to and honor every request. Please notice it may take up to 24 - 48 hours to process your request.