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The New Office Technology and Its Effects on Secretaries and Managers

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Abstract

This article examines effects of new office technology on secretaries' attitudes in the UK and Malaysia. Despite research studies on the impact of this technology, there has been a lack of empirical evidence on secretaries working patterns, interactions and communication, and specifically how new office technology has changed working practices in the culture of offices.

The sample of this research study comprised secretaries and managers in the UK and Malaysia. The main findings are these: Whilst significant historical and political changes are subtle there are shifts which stand out as important. Both managers and secretaries are using new office technology, regardless of the size of organisations. Both access almost the same information, indicating a possible breakdown in the traditional hierarchical structure of management, making secretaries more powerful with new roles and responsibilities. There are some differences due to historical and political backgrounds between the findings in both countries.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Office Management and Technology, University of Technology, Mara, Malayasia

    Halimaton Khalid

  2. School of Education and Professional Development, The University of Huddersfield, Lockside, Queensgate, Huddersfield, West Yorks, HD1 3DH, UK

    Helen Swift & Cedric Cullingford

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  1. Halimaton Khalid
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  2. Helen Swift
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  3. Cedric Cullingford
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Khalid, H., Swift, H. & Cullingford, C. The New Office Technology and Its Effects on Secretaries and Managers. Education and Information Technologies 7, 257–274 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1020863731121

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