RELEVANCE OF SECRETARIES’ PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS FOR IMPROVED JOB PERFORMANCE IN OGUN STATE PUBLIC SERVICE

Adebimpe Olusola Adesanya, Olabisi Aishat Taiwo Sotayo, Fehintola Bintu Bolarinwa

Abstract


 

This study examined the relevance of secretaries’ problem-solving skills for improved job performance in Ogun State public service. The study adopted descriptive research design for the study with 300 Secretaries randomly selected from ministries, agencies and parastatals within Abeokuta in the Ogun Central Senatorial District of Ogun State which included male and female Secretaries. Research question focusing on the purpose of the investigation guided the study. A 32-item adopted questionnaire entitled “Problem Solving Inventory (PSI) structured by Heppner and Petersen (1982)†was used to collect data. Out of the 300 questionnaires distributed only 294 were returned by the respondents. The PSI is a standardized instrument with a reliability coefficient of .89 using Cronbach alpha as reported by Heppner and Peterson (1982). The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and graphical illustration. The result of the research question showed that the level of performance of secretaries is high due to high level of problem-solving skills. The study revealed the benefits of possessing problem solving skills to advance job performance. The study recommended among others that secretaries should make every effort to improve their problem-solving skills so as to enhance their performance in the public service and that secretaries who possess high problem-solving skills be encouraged for better performance and improved productivity.

Keywords: Secretaries; Skills; Problem-Solving Skills; Performance; Job performance


Full Text:

PDF

References


Adesanya, A.O. & Sotayo, A.O.T. (2015). Influence of personal characteristics on

secretaries’ job performance in public establishments in Ogun State. Journal for the

Promotion/ Advancement of Office Management/Secretarial Profession (Secretarial

Forum), 9(1), 47-63.

Adana, B.S. (1986). Job finding. In T. Ipaye. (Ed.). Education and Vocational Guidance:

Concepts and Approaches. Ibadan: Bezekos.

Aluko, Y. A. (2014).Employers’ perceptions of the employability skills of new graduates in Nigeria. Journal of Education Review 7(4), 547-556.

Atakpa, R.A. (2010). Office Practice and Management: Practical Approach. Agbor: Royal Pace Publications.

Campbell, J.P. (1990). Modelling the performance prediction problem in industrial and organizational psychology. In M.B. Dunnette & L.M. Hough (Eds.), Handbook of industrial and organizational psychology (2nd ed., Vol.1, 687-732). Palo Alto, CA: Consulting Psychologists Press.

Ekpenyong, L.E. (2011). Foundation of technical and vocation education. Evolution and Practice. 3rd ed., Benin City: Supreme Idea Publisher International Ltd.

Fauzah, A., Noryati, Y. & Zaharah, D. (2011). The influence of skill levels on job performance of public service employees in Malaysia. The Business and Management Review, 1(1), 31- 40.

Heppner, P. P., & Peterson, C. H. (1982). The development and implications of a personal problem solving inventory. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 29, 66-75.

Jamal, M. (1984). Job stress and job performance controversy: An empirical assessment. Organizational Behaviour and Human Performance, 32: 1-21.

Lisa, G. S. & Mark, J.S. (2008). Teaching critical thinking and problem solving skills. The Delta Pi Epsilon Journal. 1(2), 90-99.

Nwaokwa, E. & Okoli, B.E. (2012). Information of communication technology on the influence performance of secretaries in government ministries in Nasarawa State, North-Central Nigeria. Research Journal of Information Technology, 4(3): 93-97.

Oke, J.O. & Olakotan, O.O. (2017). Training needs of Technical Education Pre-service Teachers for Employment and Sustainable Development in Ogun State. International Journal of Educational Foundations and Management IJEFAM 11(1): 39-44.

Rosen, Y. & Tager, M. (2013). Computer based assessment of collaborative problem solving skills. Human-to-agent versus human-to-human approach. Research and Innovation Network. Pearson Education. Retrieved from http://www:pearsonassessment.com/research on 18/05/2019.

Science, Technology Engineering and Mathematics Network STEMNET (2014). Employability skills. Retrieved from www.exeter.ac.uk/ambassadors/hestem/resorces.

Shakirova, D. M. (2007). Technology for the shaping of college students’ andupper-grade students’ critical thinking. Russian Education & Society, 49(9), 42–52.

Tamkin, P. (2005). The Contribution of Skills to Business Performance: The Institute for Employment Studies. https://www.employment-studies.co.uk. Retrieved on 17/04/2019.

Wade, M. & Parent, M. (2002). Relationships Between Job Skills and Performance: A Study

of Webmasters. Journal of Management Information System/Winter, 18(3), 71-96


Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


Copyright © 2022-2025. Department of Business Education, Kwara State University, Malete, Nigeria. All Rights Reserved.
ISSN: 2408-5367

Powered by Myrasoft Systems Ltd.(http://www.myrasoft.com.ng)