European Journal of Physical Education and Sport Science
ISSN: 2501 - 1235
ISSN-L: 2501 - 1235
Available on-line at: www.oapub.org/edu
Volume 3 │ Issue 4 │ 2017
doi: 10.5281/zenodo.818070
THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN OFFICE AUTOMATION AND
IMPROVEMENT OF DECISION-MAKING AND PRODUCTIVITY OF
EMPLOYEES OF YOUTH AND SPORT OFFICES OF
WEST AZERBAIJAN PROVINCE, IRAN
Mostafa Mostafa pouri, Ali Amini,
Vadoud Shoshtary, Auoub Izadi,
Yousef Esmayilian, Fatemeh Salami, Bager Khakpour
Department of Physical Education and Sports Science,
Education Management of Miandoab, Iran
Abstract:
The availability of precise, relevant, timely and new information increases the speed and
precision of decision making. The objective of present study is to examine the association
between office automation, improvement of decision-making and productivity of
employees of Youth and Sport offices of West Azerbaijan Province. The statistical
population of present study consists of 130 employees of Youth and Sport offices of West
Azerbaijan Province selected through simple random sampling. The statistical instrument
of present study consists of two standard questionnaire of office automation and
improvement of decision-making and productivity. To analyze data were used descriptive
statistics and inferential statistics (Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and Pearson correlation). The
results of preset study show that there is a positive association between the items of office
automation and improvement of decision-making and productivity of employees of Youth
and Sport offices.
Keywords: office automation, improvement of decision-making, productivity, youth and
sport offices
Copyright © The Author(s). All Rights Reserved.
© 2015 – 2017 Open Access Publishing Group
194
Mostafa Mostafa pour , Ali Amini, Vadoud Shoshtary, Auoub Izadi,
Yousef Esmayilian, Fatemeh Salami, Bager Khakpour
THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN OFFICE AUTOMATION AND IMPROVEMENT OF DECISION-MAKING AND
PRODUCTIVITY OF EMPLOYEES OF YOUTH AND SPORT OFFICES OF WEST AZERBAIJAN PROVINCE, IRAN
1. Introduction
In the present era, the organizations have to use computer systems, information
technologies and advanced media. The future belongs to those who use precise and up-todate knowledge to analyze the advantages and disadvantages of these systems and learn
lessons from the experiences of others without undertaking the costs and consequences of
experiences for the second time.
Today, there are different types of office automation systems. The management
information systems can develop new organizational projects and use modern tools of
collection and processing of information to support the employees in attaining their
objectives. The computer can increase the speed, correctness and accuracy of decisionmaking and enhance the level of accuracy and efficiency of works done in an organization.
The automation system might significantly influence the efficiency, cost-effectiveness and
scheduling of employees decision making. In the present study was investigated the
effects of automation system upon improvement of decision-making and productivity of
employees of Youth and Sport offices of West Azerbaijan Province. Management and
decision-making are two close terms in dealing with organizational affairs. Undoubtedly,
decision-making is one of the significant duties of top managers which is susceptible to
errors but if the whole process is viewed differently, the conditions will be different. Most
of the employees regard decision-making as an individualistic measure which occurs in a
definite moment but it is actually a process mixed with the interaction of power, policies,
personal differences and organizational background. The leaders who perceive this issue
will make better decisions than those who emphasize decision making under their sole
authority. As a result, one could say that some decision processes are more effective and
efficient than others (Garvin, 2010).
The
significant
changes
of
administrative
correspondence
in
economic
organizations and entities are growing so rapidly that previously slow and timeconsuming administrative processes are no longer acceptable. In this regard, it is necessary
to develop an instrument through which the speed and precision of administrative
processes could be enhanced. To do this, the office automation system as the modern
method facilitates the procedures and on the other hand, collection of information on the
set of organizational activities and their classification provides proper background to
enhance dealing with daily affairs.
The maximal application of physical resources, human resources and other factors
based on scientific methods decreases the manufacturing costs, development of markets,
increase of employment and enhancement of living condition of every individual. From
European Journal of Physical Education and Sport Science - Volume 3 │ Issue 4 │ 2017
195
Mostafa Mostafa pour , Ali Amini, Vadoud Shoshtary, Auoub Izadi,
Yousef Esmayilian, Fatemeh Salami, Bager Khakpour
THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN OFFICE AUTOMATION AND IMPROVEMENT OF DECISION-MAKING AND
PRODUCTIVITY OF EMPLOYEES OF YOUTH AND SPORT OFFICES OF WEST AZERBAIJAN PROVINCE, IRAN
the viewpoint of Japan Productivity Center, productivity is a national priority which
enhances social welfare and eliminates poverty.
Digital means might increase our productivity. The ability to think and develop
thoughts is important. One should determine whether the office automation in developing
countries has changed into a fixed culture. Is it still a discrete and non-integrated part of
our traditional bureaucracy? In the present study, Youth and Sport offices as an entity
which undertakes the responsibility of training sports to the youth in Iran was selected
and the authors endeavor to show the probable association between office automation and
improvement of decision-making and productivity of employees of Youth and Sport
offices of West Azerbaijan Province. Does the office automation within an organization
helps in improving activities, decision making and productivity of employees?
2. Methodology
The present study is of correlative type the statistical population of which includes 140
individuals selected through simple random sampling.
The measurement instrument of the research variables included the standard
questionnaire of office automation (Rahmani, 2013) and standard questionnaire of
improving decision-making and productivity (Rahmani, 2013). To determine the validity
and reliability of the questionnaires and resolution of possible ambiguities, the initial
study was done on 10 employees of Youth and Sport offices of the adjacent province. To
determine the face and content validity, the comments of experts of physical education
and sports science were considered.
To determine the reliability, Cronbach s alpha was used the results of which
showed that for the standard questionnaire of office automation and standard
questionnaire of improving decision-making and productivity, its values were
respectively 0.90 and 0.97. In regard to the questionnaire of office productivity, the alpha
coefficient of issued letters, received letters, perception and usage hours were respectively
0.84, 0.84, 0.85 and 0.84.
Regarding the standard questionnaire of improving decision-making and
productivity, the alpha coefficient of correctness, precision, being timely, and costeffectiveness, the values of alpha coefficients were 0.96, 0.87, 0.93 and 0.87. To organize
and summarize data, descriptive statistics was used and in the section on inferential
statistics, the Pearson correlation coefficient was used to study the association between
office automation and improvement of decision making and productivity of employees in
Youth and Sport offices of West Azerbaijan Province.
European Journal of Physical Education and Sport Science - Volume 3 │ Issue 4 │ 2017
196
Mostafa Mostafa pour , Ali Amini, Vadoud Shoshtary, Auoub Izadi,
Yousef Esmayilian, Fatemeh Salami, Bager Khakpour
THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN OFFICE AUTOMATION AND IMPROVEMENT OF DECISION-MAKING AND
PRODUCTIVITY OF EMPLOYEES OF YOUTH AND SPORT OFFICES OF WEST AZERBAIJAN PROVINCE, IRAN
3. Findings
Table 1: Mean, Standard Deviation and Correlation Matrix of Items of Office Automation and
Improvement of Decision-making and Productivity in Sport and Youth Offices
Variable
r
P
0.452
*0.000
20.89±4.46
0.427
*0.000
18.69±3.21
0.390
*0.000
Perception
16.64±3.94
0.332
*0.000
Usage Hours
20.89±4.46
0.432
*0.000
r
P
0.452
*0.000
20.89±4.46
0.415
*0.000
18.69±3.21
0.308
*0.000
Perception
16.64±3.94
0.345
*0.000
Usage Hours
20.89±4.46
0.412
*0.000
r
P
0.452
*0.000
20.89±4.46
0.142
*0.000
18.69±3.21
0.325
*0.000
Perception
16.64±3.94
0.356
*0.000
Usage Hours
20.89±4.46
0.411
*0.000
Office Automation
Mean and Standard
Accuracy of Decision Making and
Deviation
Productivity (Mean and Standard Deviation)
55.71±10.085
106.39±27.27
System
Number of Issued
Letters
Number of
Received Letters
Variable
Office Automation
Mean and Standard
Timeliness of Decision Making and
Deviation
Productivity (Mean and Standard Deviation)
55.71±10.085
105.21±28.06
System
Number of Issued
Letters
Number
of
Received Letters
Variable
Office Automation
Mean and Standard
Cost-effectiveness of Decision Making and
Deviation
Productivity (Mean and Standard Deviation)
55.71±10.085
112.12±31.27
System
Number of Issued
Letters
Number of
Received Letters
European Journal of Physical Education and Sport Science - Volume 3 │ Issue 4 │ 2017
197
Mostafa Mostafa pour , Ali Amini, Vadoud Shoshtary, Auoub Izadi,
Yousef Esmayilian, Fatemeh Salami, Bager Khakpour
THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN OFFICE AUTOMATION AND IMPROVEMENT OF DECISION-MAKING AND
PRODUCTIVITY OF EMPLOYEES OF YOUTH AND SPORT OFFICES OF WEST AZERBAIJAN PROVINCE, IRAN
Variable
r
P
0.452
*0.000
20.89±4.46
0.327
*0.000
18.69±3.21
0.389
*0.000
Perception
16.64±3.94
0.365
*0.000
Usage Hours
20.89±4.46
0.347
*0.000
Office Automation
Mean and Standard
Correctness of Decision Making and
Deviation
Productivity (Mean and Standard Deviation)
55.71±10.085
104.78±29.01
System
Number of Issued
Letters
Number of
Received Letters
*p≤0.05
As shown in table (1), the obtained results show that there is a significant association
between items office automation system (i.e. number of issued and received letters,
perception, and usage hours) and items of improvement of decision-making and
productivity (i.e. accuracy, correctness, timeliness, cost-effectiveness, decision-making and
productivity) among the employees of Youth and Sport offices of West Azerbaijan
Province.
4. Discussion and Conclusion
As to the main problem of present study regarding the direct effect of office automation
system on improving decision making and productivity of Youth and Sport offices of West
Azerbaijan Province, the results showed that office automation system and its items
directly influence the increase of correctness, accuracy, timeliness and cost-effectiveness of
employees decision-making. Therefore, there is no evidence on denial of four hypotheses
denoted by defined variables of correctness, accuracy, timeliness and cost-effectiveness.
In all steps of developing office automation system, the reinforcement of
management information system (MIS) is highly significant. It is essential to revise the
working procedures and redesign them in an open manner so as to make them completely
compliant with automation system and minimize the costs which the organization
undertakes. The parallelization of procedures in secretariat through simultaneous
application of paper and software systems should be prohibited and software records
should be regarded as sufficient. There is a positive approach towards the office
automation system among the employees of Youth and Sport offices of West Azerbaijan
Province. In general, the employees think that this system positively affects the
organizational performance. It is necessary to provide the employees with more effective
training regarding the type of influence that the system has upon organizational functions.
European Journal of Physical Education and Sport Science - Volume 3 │ Issue 4 │ 2017
198
Mostafa Mostafa pour , Ali Amini, Vadoud Shoshtary, Auoub Izadi,
Yousef Esmayilian, Fatemeh Salami, Bager Khakpour
THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN OFFICE AUTOMATION AND IMPROVEMENT OF DECISION-MAKING AND
PRODUCTIVITY OF EMPLOYEES OF YOUTH AND SPORT OFFICES OF WEST AZERBAIJAN PROVINCE, IRAN
The positive effects of automation systems are undeniable but the level of
realization of objective is significant. The first step to attain a realistic viewpoint towards
the evaluation of results of office automation in the organizations is to codify efficient
variables for assessing the improvement level in the organization and following the signs
of organizational development as a result of establishing advanced organizational
systems. This issue demands scientific support of the organization. The findings of these
studies can play more effective role in identification of advantages and weaknesses of
automation systems of the organizations with similar tasks and associations. Therefore, it
is recommended that the researchers use technical consultation, guidance and cooperation
to select subjects which can be raised in all departments of Youth and Sport Ministry and
encourage a larger range of organizations to use the results of their studies. In future
studies, the researchers should deal with other new, effective and significant subjects so as
to identify and resolve the most fundamental problems of their organizations.
The present study has some limitations too. Lack of similar studies due to novelty
of the subject, the problem of identifying significant variables and transmission of
qualitative items into quantitative ones such as quality management are among such
limitations. The existence of negative hypotheses as a result of negative comments of
employees of administrative and public organizations reinforces the trend that it is better
not to challenge the existing structure and to keep the general critique undisclosed. As a
result, some of the most basic applications of present study (i.e. creation of new visions to
attain efficient functions) do not exert significant effects upon governmental structures.
Doing studies and working simultaneously will increase the duration of the study.
Therefore, those students who discretely work and study in compact courses (i.e. in
different times) have higher freedom compared with those who simultaneously work and
study. It is better to teach the employees of governmental offices the basic concepts of
office automation in its most comprehensive manner and within the context of developing
organizational culture.
Due to general state policies regarding the development of e-government and
strategic approach of Youth and Sport Ministry to office automation, it is recommended to
do comprehensive study in national scale by employing an expert team of researchers
with well-supplied means, knowledgeable professors or cooperation of those companies
specialized in office automation systems instead of hiring amateur researchers.
European Journal of Physical Education and Sport Science - Volume 3 │ Issue 4 │ 2017
199
Mostafa Mostafa pour , Ali Amini, Vadoud Shoshtary, Auoub Izadi,
Yousef Esmayilian, Fatemeh Salami, Bager Khakpour
THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN OFFICE AUTOMATION AND IMPROVEMENT OF DECISION-MAKING AND
PRODUCTIVITY OF EMPLOYEES OF YOUTH AND SPORT OFFICES OF WEST AZERBAIJAN PROVINCE, IRAN
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PRODUCTIVITY OF EMPLOYEES OF YOUTH AND SPORT OFFICES OF WEST AZERBAIJAN PROVINCE, IRAN
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European Journal of Physical Education and Sport Science - Volume 3 │ Issue 4 │ 2017
201
Mostafa Mostafa pour , Ali Amini, Vadoud Shoshtary, Auoub Izadi,
Yousef Esmayilian, Fatemeh Salami, Bager Khakpour
THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN OFFICE AUTOMATION AND IMPROVEMENT OF DECISION-MAKING AND
PRODUCTIVITY OF EMPLOYEES OF YOUTH AND SPORT OFFICES OF WEST AZERBAIJAN PROVINCE, IRAN
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