AN IN-DEPTH STUDY ON THE EFFECT OF ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE ON SECRETARIES' JOB PERFORMANCE IN PUBLIC SERVICE IN CAMEROON

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background of the study 

Human resources are the most valuable assets of any organisation (Ubeh, 2021). Effective employee management is imperative for the organisation to achieve its overarching goals and objectives. The significance of employee performance in the organizations stems from the fact that excellent employee performance and dedication facilitate the sector's growth and improvement.

Culture, in a broad sense, can be defined as a collection of fundamental beliefs concerning the nature and ideal state of the world, which are shared by a group of individuals and influence, to some extent, their overt conduct (Lion, 2018). Pete (2019) asserts that organisational culture is a reflection of how members of an organisation perceive and react to situations and events. Additionally, organisational culture pertains to a framework of values that are collectively understood and interpreted by members of the organisation, serving to differentiate it from other similar entities. Based on the aforementioned definition, distinct organisational cultures may be considered to impact or exert an influence on the dispositions and conduct of their personnel (Flame, 2019).

Odeh (2018) defines a secretary as a someone who has had a comprehensive education and has completed a specific training course in secretarial skills. This training equips them with the necessary abilities, attitudes, and competences to effectively fulfil the responsibilities and tasks of an office.  The individual must possess both personal and business attributes in order to undergo secretarial training. This training involves guiding and initiating learners to acquire the essential skills, facts, knowledge, habits, and attitudes that will enable them to live and work harmoniously with others as valuable and productive members of society. The Secretary plays a crucial role in the diverse daily operations of the global organisation, and their influence on the growth of the Nigerian economy should not be underestimated.

A secretary is responsible for numerous administrative tasks. Historically, these responsibilities mostly involve tasks associated with communication, such as transcribing letters and organising physical documents (Wole, 2018). Furthermore, a Secretary holds a crucial role within an office. The secretary is responsible for maintaining the organisation of the office, ensuring that appointments and meetings are properly scheduled, and managing the influx of visitors and employees seeking to meet with the management team.  Secretaries not only handle basic secretarial work but also undertake more complex executive functions or specialise in certain areas such as healthcare or legal support (Odeh, 2018). A Secretary oversees both physical and digital file systems, processes and directs incoming mail, and runs a range of office technology including computers, telephones, fax machines, and videoconferencing devices. Certain Secretaries engage in the task of transcribing spoken words and producing written reports or letters, while others edit and improve initial versions of written documents prepared by managers.  Secretaries commonly utilise a diverse range of computer applications and programmes, including databases, spreadsheets, and graphics.  These are some of the responsibilities of a competent secretary, among others.

The perceptions and levels of commitment exhibited by secretaries towards their organisational obligations are profoundly influenced by the organisational culture. Penn (2021) conducted groundbreaking research that sparked the interest of consultants and researchers in the notion of corporate culture, specifically pertaining to how the organization's secretaries' conduct is influenced by its values and philosophy in pursuit of enhanced achievements. Leaders have an impact on their subordinates via the organization's ethos as well as their direct interactions (Li, 2019).

The secretaries' dedication and effectiveness are critical in guaranteeing the successful attainment of the goals and objectives of the organisation. Numerous researchers have posited that the establishment of an organization's values and culture is crucial in fostering the requisite degree of dedication and effectiveness among managers and employees, thereby guaranteeing the triumphant execution of organisational objectives and strategies.

1.2 Statement of the problem

Organisational culture serves as a manifestation of the organization's long-standing, consistent attributes or its historical and traditional background. Adaptation of the employee to the traditions and systems of the organisation is what improves job performance and consequently elevates overall job performance. Ojoh (2019) asserts that the existing empirical evidence regarding the impact of organisational culture on work conduct is inconsistent, contradictory, and inconclusive, as it has been derived from numerous studies. In light of these contradictory findings, additional research is warranted to determine whether organisational culture enhances or diminishes the job efficacy of secretaries.  

It is noteworthy that the integration of advanced technologies into secretarial functions has introduced dynamic and evolving aspects that have evidently impacted the job performance of secretaries. In addition to other determinants, the frequency and rate of technological adoptions are outcomes of an operational organisational culture in the workplace (Ukoh, 2023). This is thus the primary focus of the research. Indeed, numerous secretaries exert considerable effort to ensure their efficacy in accordance with the prevailing organisational culture. It is on this note that this study will carry out an in-depth study on the effect of organizational culture on secretaries' job performance in public service in Cameroon.

1.3 Objectives of the Study 

The primary objective of this study is to carry out an in-depth study on the effect of organizational culture on secretaries' job performance in public service in Cameroon. Specifically the study seeks to:

Find out whether there is a relationship between organizational culture and secretaries' job performance in public service in Cameroon.

Find out whether there will be gender difference in the manner organization culture will influence secretaries’ job performance in public service in Cameroon.

Examine the effects of organizational culture on secretaries' job performance in public service in Cameroon.

1.4 Research Questions

The following research questions will be answered in this study:

Is there a relationship between organizational culture and secretaries' job performance in public service in Cameroon?

Is there a gender difference in the manner organization culture will influence secretaries’ job performance in public service in Cameroon?

What are the effects of organizational culture on secretaries' job performance in public service in Cameroon?

1.5 Research Hypothesis

The following null hypothesis will validate this study:

Ho1: There is no relationship between organizational culture and secretaries' job performance in public service in Cameroon.

Ho2: There will be no gender difference in the manner organization culture will influence secretaries’ job performance in public service in Cameroon

1.6 Significance of the study

One of the significant aims of this study is to add value to the body of existing knowledge in organization culture and management, to come up with findings that can be used to tackle problems arising from work situations.

The study is expected to provide adequate information on how culture and values can affect employee’s performance at a place of work. The study’s finding can be used to enrich the thinking of top management on how to develop good image of the company through enriching the company’s organizational culture and values among its employees. 

Furthermore, the findings will strive to re-orient the thinking and identifying a number of issues as being particularly important to the relationship between how people are managed and the performance of the business.

Finally, paves the ways for future study in the area of culture assessment.

1.7 Scope of the study

The study aims to carry out an in-depth study on the effect of organizational culture on secretaries' job performance in public service in Cameroon. Empirically, this study will find out whether there is a relationship between organizational culture and secretaries' job performance in public service, find out whether there will be gender difference in the manner organization culture will influence secretaries’ job performance in public service and examine the effects of organizational culture on secretaries' job performance in public service.

This study will be carried out in Cameroon.

1.8 Limitation of the study

The researchers encountered slight constraints while carrying out the study. The significant constraint was the scanty literature on the subject owing that the effect of organizational culture on secretaries' job performance in public service in Cameroon discourse is vast thus the researcher incurred more financial expenses and much time was required in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature, or information and in the process of data collection, which is why the researcher resorted to a limited choice of sample size covering only residents of Cameroon. Thus findings of this study cannot be used for generalization for other regions within Cameroon. Additionally, the researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work will impede maximum devotion to the research. Howbeit, despite the constraint encountered during the research, all factors were downplayed in other to give the best and make the research successful.

1.9 Definition of terms

Secretary: A secretary is an administrative professional who provides clerical and administrative support to an individual or an organization. Their duties typically include tasks such as answering phone calls, managing correspondence, scheduling appointments, organizing meetings, maintaining records, and performing various administrative tasks to ensure the smooth functioning of an office or department. Secretaries often serve as a primary point of contact between their employer and clients, customers, or other staff members.

Organizational culture: Organizational culture refers to the shared values, beliefs, norms, and behaviors that characterize an organization and guide its members' interactions and decision-making processes. It encompasses the overall atmosphere, attitudes, and practices within the organization, shaping its identity and influencing how individuals within the organization perceive and respond to various situations. Organizational culture can impact employee morale, productivity, innovation, and ultimately, the organization's success.