Information Technology and Corporate Performance in Banking Industry (a Case Study of Union Bank Plc)

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The focus of this study is on the benefits that are derived from the use of information technology and corporate performance in banking industry.

In the year past, activities in banking sector was done manually which resulted in unnecessary delays in generating required data and poor customer services. Consequently, the society preferred to keep their money inside their bedrooms. Being a sector of the economy whose services are universally demanded, the banking industry has for sometimes now been the target of criticisms as to the quality of services given to their customers especially as it relates to the time taken by most banks to carry out simple transactions. However, the Nigerian banking scene has witnessed phenomenal changes, especially since the mid 1980’s and these have manifested in the enormous volumes and complexity of operations increased innovation and variety in product/services delivery and business process re­engineering. These developments have not only been driven by technological advances, but have also in turn spawned technological development. Information is one of the most frequently discussed issues in the field of banking. It is believed to be a major pre-requisite towards the attainment of banking goals and objectives. However, it is often misunderstood and has become one of the greatest problems facing modem management. It is therefore true to say that information technology has been the hub of banking development since the last decades and will continue to be so, well into this 21^st century.

With the recent upsurge in technology, especially the network computer system and telephone technology banking sector has become very dynamic in nature. More banks are acquiring the network system and this has brought about new innovations in banking sector examples are:

• Electronic Payment System
• Telephone Technology
• Global System of information banking (e.g. Flash me cash)
• Smart card
• Internet banking/online banking (i.e. bank anywhere cash anywhere)
• Pc banking-home banking

With the introduction of the services mentioned, competition amongst banks is now so keen that banking generally focused their attention on changing from mechanical operations to computerized operations. However, a bank that is lacking in this focused change would not be able to stand the taste of time.

Moreover, the use of computer and other system of information has again made the application of information technology and corporate performance to attain a high quality degree of e-security in the following arrears.

Authentication: Securing the identification of the parties to the transaction. Confidentiality: Ensuring information is kept private

Integrity: Ensuring the information process has not been modified or corrupted.

Non-Repudiated: Ensuring that neither party can refuse that the transaction occurred i.e. (the transaction is binding)

Therefore, the term “Information” came into limelight with the emergency of theories of banking especially the Weberian concept of bureaucracy which postulates information as a regulated norm and planned behaviour tailored towards the attainment of banking goals. A dictionary definition says that Information is a means of giving information.

According to Shaw (2005) information is any progress whereby decisional premises are transmitted from one member to another. To strike at a working comprehensive definition, there must be the content, purpose and process as in that which says that, information is a transferring of thought or a message to another party so that such can be understood and acted upon. It is the transmitting of a signal (content) from one person (source) to another (receiver) who understands the signal and make appropriate response (feedback). Thus, it is a socially instituted process of sending messages (or a linking process), following one appropriate route (or a bearer) from one source to definite receiver with a view to getting feedback.

Aremu (2003) stated that, any information passed down the banking structure is meant to elicit form of response which may get total or partial conformity, any or a show of indolence and passivity, and or in any banking when there is high degree of job satisfaction and enthusiastic understanding a clear feedback is assured. Hence the information flow overtime, rose from the traditional methods of giving orders and rigid instructions to workers who were considered ingenuous as rectors to modem participative initiative.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

The Nigerian banking industry smarting from the shock and losses of the distress syndrome that hit it hurricane recently is now gearing up for inevitable challenges of the 21^st century. In this highly competitive environment, no bank can operate successfully without the use of modern technology. No matter the strategy employed, the role of information technology for their day to day transactions for efficient customer service cannot be over emphasized Nigerian in banking sector. 

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The study is aimed at bringing awareness of the information technology and corporate performance as it effects banking sector.

1. To identify the importance of information technology and corporate performance to banking sector.
2. To ascertain the relationship between information technology and corporate performance in banking sector.
3. To examine the effect information technology in relation to banking sector performance.
4. To determine the usefulness and empirical analysis of information technology in banking sector performance.

RESEARCH QUESTION

For the purpose of this research to be completed, it is important to answer the following questions.

1. Does information technology and corporate performance and its effect relate to banking sector?
2. To what extent does the relationship between information technology and corporate performance develop or brought growth to banking sector?
3. Does information technology and its effect promote efficient customer service in banking sector?
4. Does information technology and corporate performance improve the level of banking sector?
5. Can information technology and corporate performance bring easy change for efficient management in banking sector?
6. Are computer and telephone technology necessary in the present day banking sector performance?

RESEARCH HYPOTHESES

Ho: Information technology and corporate performance does not relate to banking sector performance.

Hi:   Information technology and corporate performance relates to banking sector performance.

Ho: Information technology and corporate performance does not increase output in banking sector.

Hi:   Information technology and corporate performance increases output in banking sector.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study therefore, will help banking 1D identifying and developing information technology and corporate performance necessary for the enhancement of high-banking performance.

This project is undertaken to enable us have a general overview of information technology and corporate performances as it affects management of change in the banking sector. To this end, the work is limited to the employees and management of Union Bank PIc in Mushin Local Government Area, Lagos State.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

To complete this study with ease, there is need to define some key terms. They are:

Information: This can be define as the conscious or deliberate transmission of information with the use of signals, it is the exchanged of information ideas, feelings, emotions or through between one person and another for the purpose of enhancing natural interactions and understanding and carrying out some desired action.

Information Technology: Is a technology involved m acquiring, storing, processing and distributing information by electronics means (including radio, television and computer). It is the convergence of computer and tele-information technologies.

Performance: This is the act of doing a particular job or duly well.

Effective: Simply means doing the right things or the ability of an banking to operate in manners which ensure that objectives are being achieved.

Technology: This germane to proper understanding of the information technology of a concept.

Computer: A compute is an electronic device that accept and store input data, process the data and process output data, as a result of step by step sets of instruction.

Corporate: This is a unique method that banks use to entertain their customers in order to gain business and improve on their profitability.

Efficiency: means doing things rightly or the input and output of banking achieved excellently.

Decision Making: This is a resolution to adapt a source of action from available alternative, it occurs nearly in all stages of planning process.

ORGANIZATION OF THE STUDY

The research will be structured into five chapters, each chapters will deal extensively on different sub-topics, parameter and variable that makes up the research project. Chapter one, this Chapter is generally headline as the introduction sometimes it is labeled “Background of the study”, statement of problem, objective/purpose of study, significance of study, research question, research hypothesis, limitation of work, organization of the study, and definitions of terms. Chapter two comprises of the theoretical framework and literature review. Chapter three will examines the structure and composition of the research project which include the method of data analysis, hypothesis brief sources of data collection. Chapter four will show the data presentation and analysis of data for the research. Chapter five, which is last chapter will examine the summary of research, findings, conclusion and recommendation based on the research.