Computer and ICT Skills Level of Small-Scale Business Organization Employees: Basis for Company Intervention Program
Keywords:
computer skill, ICT skills, small-scale business, reasons for low level, intervention programAbstract
An increasing number of businesses now rely on computer technology to complete tasks. For this reason, possessing computer skills has become increasingly crucial This study aimed to assess the computer and ICT skills of employees in small-scale business organizations. The researcher administered a survey questionnaire to a purposive sample of 28 employees from small-scale business organizations, and the quantitative data gathered was organized and processed using SPSS version 17.0. The explanatory design employed unstructured interviews with non-probability sampled respondents to collect qualitative data. Thematic analysis was used to establish themes arising from the qualitative responses. Findings revealed that employees in these organizations have a low level of competence in performing office tasks, such as basic computer operations, file management, word processing, database use, and network use. There are no significant differences in computer and ICT skill levels among employees in small-scale business organizations when grouped by educational attainment, length of service, and gender. Based on the interviewees' responses, common themes emerged, such as poor internet connectivity, an unreliable power supply, a lack of funds to purchase gadgets that can access the internet, a lack of knowledge and interest in learning, and a lack of time to attend a short program related to computers and ICT are the reasons for low levels of computer and ICT skills. Tutorials and self-study are common strategies employees use to accomplish assigned tasks in the office.
Downloads
References
Abun, D., Javier, J. P., Gamponia, J. I., Magallanes, T., & Julian, F. P. (2022). (2022). The effect of employees’ computer and internet self-efficacy on job satisfaction. International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147-4478), 11(3), 130-140. https://doi.org/10.20525/ijrbs.v11i3.1727 DOI: https://doi.org/10.20525/ijrbs.v11i3.1727
Akman, I., & Mishra, A. (2010). Gender, age and income differences in internet usage among employees in organizations. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2009.12.007 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2009.12.007
Anireh, U. N., & Amadi, E. A. (2020). Assessment of ICT Skill Needs of Business Education Students for Online Entrepreneurship Business Development in Rivers State. International Journal of Innovative Information Systems & Technology Research, 8(1), 91-99.
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa DOI: https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
Ciampa, M. (2013). A study of students' perceived computer knowledge. International Journal of Learning and Development, 3(2), 11. https://doi.org/10.5296/ijld.v3i2.3355 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5296/ijld.v3i2.3355
Combs, Julie & Onwuegbuzie, Anthony. (2010). Describing and Illustrating Data Analysis in Mixed Research. International Journal of Education. 2. https://doi.org/10.5296/.v2i2.526 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5296/ije.v2i2.526
Creswell, J. W. (2013). Steps in Conducting a Scholarly Mixed Methods Study. DBER Speaker Series. 48. Retrieved from https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dberspeakers/48
Engidaw, A. E. (2020). Small businesses and their challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic in developing countries: the case of Ethiopia. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-100081/v1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-100081/v1
Hamaluba, T. (2022). An assessment of computer and ICT skills at Botswana Open University: Implications of ICT in business subjects. Journal of Learning for Development, 9(1), 104-116. https://doi.org/10.56059/jl4d.v9i1.552 DOI: https://doi.org/10.56059/jl4d.v9i1.552
Hamid, R., Nik Md Salleh, N. S., Zin, S. M., Ripin, M. R., Rahman, K. A., & Shamsuddin, N. (2023). EMPLOYEES’ COMPUTER COMPETENCY: EVIDENCE FROM GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT. Journal of Islamic, Social, Economics and Development (JISED), 8(52), 246-254. https://doi.org/10.55573/JISED.085222
Malafe, N. A., Ahmadi, M., & Baei, F. (2017). The Relationship between Demographic Characteristics with Information and Communication Technology and Empowerment in General Organizations (Case Study: Sari Municipality). International Review of Management and Marketing, 7(2), 71-75. http: www.econjournals.com
Marsh, E., Vallejos, E. P., & Spence, A. (2022). The digital workplace and its dark side: An integrative review. Computers in Human Behavior, 128, 107118. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2021.107118 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2021.107118
McCombes, S. (2022). Sampling Methods | Types and Techniques Explained. Retrieved from Scribbr. https://www.scribbr.com/methodology/mixed-methods-research/ on January 10, 2024
Mor, D., Laks, H., & Hershkovitz, A. (2016). Computer skills training and readiness to work with computers. Interdisciplinary Journal of e-Skills and Lifelong Learning, 12, 095-112. https://doi.org/10.28945/3451 DOI: https://doi.org/10.28945/3451
Moriones, A. B., Garcés,, A. E., & López, F. L. (2021). Computer use and pay for performance. Human Resource Management Journal. https://doi.org/10.1111/1748-8583.12409 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1748-8583.12409
Okeji, C. C., Tralagba, E. C., & Obi, I. C. (2019). An investigation of the digital literacy skills and knowledge-based competencies among librarians working in university libraries in Nigeria. Global Knowledge, Memory and Communication, 69(4/5), 311-330. https://doi.org/10.1108/gkmc-05-2019-0054 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/GKMC-05-2019-0054
Okon, F. I., & Njoku, C. I. (2016). Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Entrepreneurship Skills Acquisition among Vocational Education Students for the Establishment of Small Scale Business in South Eastern States Of Nigeria. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EDUCATIONAL BENCHMARK, 3(1).
Onwuegbuzie, A. J., & Teddlie, C. (2003). A framework for analyzing data in mixed methodsresearch. In A. Tashakkori & C. Teddlie (Eds.), Handbook of mixed methods in social andbehavioral research (pp. 351-383). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/267387779_Data_Analysis_in_Mixed_Research_A_Primer [accessed Mar 18 2024].
Paciente, J. L. (2020). Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Knowledge, Skills, and Attitude: Basis for DEPED Support System. Psych Educ. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6865072
Peng, G. (2017). Do computer skills affect worker employment? An empirical study from CPS surveys. Computers in Human Behavior, 74, 26-34. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2017.04.013 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2017.04.013
Rahman, S. (2022, June 20). Research on the factors affecting on “Small Business Struggles and Success.” https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/research-factors-affecting-small-business-struggles-success-rahman/
Tashakkori, A., & Creswell, J. W. (2007). Editorial: The New Era of Mixed Methods. Journal of Mixed Methods Research, 1(1), 3-7. https://doi.org/10.1177/2345678906293042 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/2345678906293042
Werber, B., Rajkovič, U., Urh, M., & Žnidaršič, A. (2015). Computer literacy and use of ICT as key factors of micro-enterprise success. E+M Ekonomie a Management, 18(2), 165-182. https://doi.org/10.15240/tul/001/2015-2-012 DOI: https://doi.org/10.15240/tul/001/2015-2-012
Published on: 18-03-2024
Also Available On
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 John F. Fernando
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors contributing to this journal retain the copyright of their articles but agree to publish their articles under the terms of the Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) allowing third parties to copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format, and to remix, transform, and build upon the material, for any purpose, even commercially, under the condition that appropriate credit is given, that a link to the license is provided, and that they indicate if changes were made. They may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses them or their use.