Effects of Advanced Office Technologies in the Secretarial Profession on Organisational Operations in Tanzania

Abstract

This study is guided by the theory of Technological Determinism, propounded by Marshall McLuhan (1964), to explore the application of advanced office technologies in the secretarial profession in Tanzania. A mixed-methods approach was employed, with quantitative data collected from 112 survey respondents and qualitative data from 30 interviews with secretaries, human resource professionals, trainers, and secretarial studies students across eight regions of Tanzania. Quantitative data were analysed using IBM SPSS version 28.0, while qualitative data were analysed thematically. Findings indicate a growing application of advanced technologies in the secretarial profession, with significant effects on day-to-day organisational operations, including improved communication, greater efficiency and cost-effectiveness, enhanced workflow management, faster decision-making, easier handling of complex tasks, and reduced manual workload. The findings contribute to understanding how technological transformation is reshaping administrative work and the competencies required of contemporary secretaries. The study recommends that the government revisit and redefine the roles, responsibilities, and skill set of future secretaries to ensure alignment with ongoing technological advancements.