The purpose of this study was to identify reactions of clerical personnel when an office changed from a traditional office to one utilizing automated word processing systems. In order to achieve this purpose, the Concerns Based Adoption Model (CBAM) developed by Hall (Loucks, Newlove, & Hall, 1975) was applied to assess the Level-of-Use (LoU) of word processing office personnel. It was expected that if personnel who operate word processing equipment were not at a level-of-use commensurate with their training and experience, then some problems existed which interfered with their adopting the system in an effective way. If persons could be classified according to their level-of-use, then those persons who were having difficulties could be identified and factors which impeded them from moving from lower to higher levels-of-use could be reported. The specific question posed in this study was: What are the factors reported as impeding the transition from traditional to automated office equipment and procedures? / Sixteen companies with a total of 31 word processing operators, located in Jacksonville, Florida, were interviewed to collect the data. Two instruments, The LoU Focused Interview Questionnaire and The Word Processing Company and Respondent Information Questionnaire, developed by the researcher, were used to collect the data. The results were presented in frequency distribution tables. / Major findings of the study were: (1) Many companies have not yet converted to automated word processing systems. (2) Of those companies that have installed word processing systems, several are in the process of modifying or replacing existing equipment. (3) Although some companies have attempted to adopt the systems approach to word processing, many have not made a distinction between the duties of the administrative secretary and those of the correspondence secretary. (4) Word processing personnel operated at a level-of-use comparable with their combined methods of training and on-the-job experience. (5) Word processing operators expressed concerns with the failure of originators to observe specified procedures, an inequitable salary schedule commensurate with their training and experience, and the lack of time provided for adequate training. (6) Clerical personnel who resist the change from traditional to automated word processing equipment are quickly replaced. Usually these personnel are returned to their traditional typing and clerical jobs. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 44-07, Section: A, page: 2021. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1983.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_75126 |
| Contributors | GREER-CHASE, MARLENE., Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text |
| Format | 157 p. |
| Rights | On campus use only. |
| Relation | Dissertation Abstracts International |
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