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THE RELEVANCE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT) IN E-BUSINESS PROCESS

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1   BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

 Information technology covers any form of technology, that is, any equipment or technique used by a company, institution or any other organization which handles information.

The handling of information has an ancient history going back to the invention of “abacus” and subsequently “adding machines” and more recently the development of electronic computers with stored programme concept. The past few decades since the development of electronic computers have been characterized by major development in information technology. 

Information is required in any organization for planning, controlling, decision making, communication, organizing, and directing. This can be achieved through the use of the computer and the application of Management Information

System (MIS), electronic data processing (EDP), office support system, data processing system, and decision support system and package.

The role technology plays in enhancing economic and business activities of both the private and public institution cannot be overemphasized. While it has opened up opportunities that would have gone undiscovered or neglected, it has saved many organizations millions of perpetrated fraud through its applications. The use of technology now makes such technical jobs such as accounting, data processing, modelling, construction, forecasting and other services more interesting, attractive and less cumbersome

The term information technology was coined in the late 1970’s, to refer to the connection of computer based technology for handling information.

Information technology is the technology related to the computerized or electronic gathering, recording, processing, retrieval, and communication of information which involves the use of digital electronic especially the internet, cable and satellite televisions, and telephone links. It is taken to include a        complex network of computers and telecommunication technologies with their associated software and operating system. In addition to these, information technology also includes the knowledge to operate the computerized systems.

Information technology could also be seen as a broad category of communication that is rapidly changing how organizations and individuals communicate. For example, video-tapes, recorders, telephone answering devices, facsimile machines, computer and internet etc, all provide new communication flexibility and opportunities for organizations. Information technology reflects the convergence of several technological developments including microelectronics, telecommunications, and software engineering. Applications that use these systems include computer-based information system for data storage, processing and retrieval. Major application areas of information technology in organizations include industry, commerce, administration etc.

Hence, information technology is important to the operations of all organizations (both social and commercial), since it provides the means to efficiently achieved objectives. It is a broad multidisciplinary subject. It includes the range of strategic, tactical, \and operational activities involved with all those technologies that gather, handle, distribute and use information. Information technology involves a considerable human activity, and it is this aspect that defines IT as distinct from computing.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

This study is put forward because of some of the problems found in organizations that neglect the use of information technology. Prior to the advent of information technology, most organizations operate manually given rise to operational inefficiencies such as;

i.        Waste of time.

ii.      Duplication of efforts. iii. High cost of operations. iv. Heavy work load on the employee.

v. Low customer satisfaction and high process time per customer. vi. Information gathered can easily be lost because of filing system.

vii.        Fraudulent practices were difficult to dictate.

viii.      There are problem of interconnectivity i.e. no connection and transfer of information from one department to another.

If the organizations aspire to compete in the global environment (to be world class) without taking full advantage of information technology, then their aspiration can never be met.

Thus, this research work is focused on the impact of information technology on decision making in organizations.