Effect of Information and Communication Technology on Organizational Performance: A study of Ebonyi State Ministry of Finance

Abstract

The study examined the effect of Information and Communication Technology on organizational performance with a particular focus on the Ebonyi State Ministry of Finance. The study was anchored on Roger’s Innovation Diffusion Theory propounded in 1983. Descriptive survey design was adopted for the study with a population of 167 respondents being the staff strength of the ministry as at the time of the study. The main instrument for data collection was a structured questionnaire drawn on a five-point likert scale, while Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient through the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 21 was used to test the hypotheses formulated for the study. Among other things the study revealed that there is a significant positive relationship between ICT and timely collection of revenue by the Ebonyi State Ministry of Finance through the e-payment system. The test of hypothesis 1 revealed a correlation coefficient of 0.744 with a p-value of 0.00 which was lesser than the 0.05 level of significance, indicating a positive relationship between ICT and timely revenue generation by the agency. ICT has significantly improved data accuracy in the accounting operations of the ministry; and it has significantly reduced fraud in public sector financial management through real time monitoring of transactions which enables the organization to view her financial profile at a glance. Based on the findings of the study, the researcher recommended that government should improve ICT infrastructure for ministries in the state, especially in the Ebonyi State Ministry of Finance by ensuring steady supply of electricity and procurement of modern ICT soft and hardware facilities to improve the overall performance of the organization.