Office Automation and Performance of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises in Anambra State, Nigeria

Abstract

The rapid advancement of technology has transformed business operations, making office automation increasingly crucial for organizational success. This study examined the impact of office automation on the performance of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Anambra State, Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design with a population of 1,200 SMEs in Anambra State. Using simple random sampling, 300 SMEs were selected, and data were collected through structured questionnaires. The instrument was validated by research experts, and reliability was confirmed using Cronbach's alpha coefficient (α = 0.88). Out of 300 distributed questionnaires, 218 (72.7%) were successfully completed and returned. Data analysis employed both descriptive and inferential statistics, with hypotheses tested using linear regression at a 0.05 significance level. The findings revealed that automated record management systems significantly affect operational efficiency (R² = .55, F 1, 216) = 245.42, p < .001), with improvements observed in document processing time, data security, and error reduction. Similarly, automated communication systems demonstrated a significant impact on customer service delivery (R² = .47, F (1, 216) = 185.42, p < .001), enhancing response times and customer feedback management. The study concludes that office automation significantly enhances SME performance through improved operational efficiency and customer service delivery. It recommends that SMEs prioritize investment in comprehensive automated systems and suggests that the Anambra State government establish a dedicated SME technology support fund. These findings contribute to the growing body of knowledge on technology adoption in SMEs and provide practical insights for business owners and policymakers seeking to enhance SME performance through office automation.