African Educational Research Journal - Full Length Research Paper - From manual to digital: The impact of networking tools on administrative effectiveness in higher education

Oct 15, 2026

The study examines how networking tools influence administrative effectiveness in higher education institutions in Enugu State, Nigeria. Despite benefits of information technology in administration—improved management efficiency, reduced paperwork, and faster service delivery—networking tools are often underused. A quasi-experimental design was applied with 103 administrative officers selected purposively from one federal college of education. Outcomes from an 18-item AOAT instrument were analyzed using mean and standard deviation, showing significant improvements in office management and service delivery. Recommendations include adopting networking tools and organizing regular upskilling programs.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages8

Reading Time20 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Introduction

Networking tools and administrative administration

Administrative roles and operational needs

Skills gaps and study purpose

African Educational Research Journal Vol. 13(3), pp. 303-310, July 2025 ISSN: 2354-2160 Full Length Research Paper From manual to digital: The impact of networking tools on administrative effectiveness in higher education Asogwa Emmanuel C.1*, Bakwa Dunka D.2, Okpe Josephine O.1 and Chijioke Jonathan Olelewe 1 1Department of Computer and Robotics Education, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria. 2Department of Computer Science, University of Jos, Nigeria. Accepted 18 July, 2025 | ABSTRACT
The integration of Information Technology (IT) in administrative settings has significantly enhanced management efficiency, minimized paperwork, and facilitated faster and more accurate service delivery. Despite these benefits, many administrative officers in higher education institutions still underutilize or neglect the adoption of networking tools, thereby limiting administrative effectiveness. This study aimed to investigate the impact of networking tools on administrative effectiveness in higher education institutions in Enugu State, Nigeria. A quasi-experimental research design was adopted for the study. The population consisted of 213 administrative staff members (111 males and 102 females) drawn from Enugu State College of Education (Technical) and the Federal College of Education, Eha-Amufu. A purposive sampling technique was used to select 103 administrative officers from the Federal College of Education, Eha-Amufu. Data were collected using an 18-item instrument titled Administrative Officers’ Achievement Test (AOAT). The data were analyzed using mean and standard deviation to assess the pre-test and post-test results. The findings revealed that the use of networking tools significantly improved office management and service delivery compared to traditional administrative methods. Based on the findings, it is recommended that administrative officers should adopt networking tools in their daily operations. Furthermore, regular upskilling programs such as seminars, workshops, and conferences should be organized to equip administrative staff with relevant computer networking skills.
Keywords: Information and communication technology (ICT), computer networking, digital literacy skills, internet, colleges of education, administrative officers. | | --- | | *Corresponding author. E-mail: [chinonye.asogwa@unn. edu. ng](chinonye.asogwa@unn. edu. ng). | INTRODUCTION The Internet has become the central nervous system of all productive activity, making offline work unimaginable in the modern era” (Schwab and Malleret, 2023, p. 45) . Lee (2021), in support, contends that cloud-based architectures have reduced workplace connectivity from an advantage to an absolute necessity. Zuboff (2020) also observed that the contemporary digital economy systematically eliminates any remaining spaces for nonnetworked work. These authoritative views collectively emphasize that efficient work is now fundamentally inseparable from robust network infrastructure. According to Lucas (2021), the evolution of networking technologies has revolutionized the way people act and interact, particularly in professional settings. Networking plays a critical role in enabling efficient management and administration within the education sector ( Kumar and Sharma, 2016) . In today's digital age, networking tools such as cloud platforms, intranets, LANs, and communication software are essential for administrative officers in educational institutions, particularly in Nigeria’s colleges of education, where service efficiency directly impacts institutional performance (Smith, 2020) . Proficiency in networking skills supports streamlined communication, efficient data management, timely decision-making, and effective resource allocation, all of which enhance institutional operations (Jones and Lee, 2019) . A computer network allows interconnectivity between computers, storage devices, printers, and Afr Educ Res J 304 telephone systems (Akinola, 2013) .

FAQs

What was the purpose of this study?

The study aimed to investigate the impact of networking tools on administrative effectiveness in higher education institutions in Enugu State, Nigeria.

What research design and data collection methods were used?

A quasi-experimental research design was adopted. Data were collected using an 18-item instrument titled Administrative Officers’ Achievement Test (AOAT).

What were the key findings and recommendations?

Networking tools significantly improved office management and service delivery compared with traditional administrative methods. Administrative officers are recommended to adopt networking tools, supported by regular upskilling programs such as seminars, workshops, and conferences.

Oct 15, 2026

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