Competencies of word processing employees as perceived by word processing supervisors and business educators

The problem of this study was to determine those competencies which should be taught to prospective word processing employees. To delineate this problem, answers to questions concerning competencies currently included in word processing textbooks and the perceptions of word processing supervisors and business educators regarding those competencies were sought.

The design of this study was basically a descriptive empirical type of survey. Questionnaires were distributed to a selective sample of 25 word processing supervisors and 25 business educators located throughout the United States.

Fifty word processing competencies were identified by the investigator and included in the survey instrument. The results of the study showed that 25, 52 percent, of the competencies were perceived to be important by a majority of the supervisors and educators. Twelve competencies were personnel-oriented, 2 competencies were equipment-oriented, and 12 competencies were procedures-oriented. Of the 50 word processing competencies, 14, 28 percent, were significantly different at the .05 level in responses by the word processing supervisors and business educators.

Major conclusions reached in the study were:

1. Prospective word processing employees should develop people oriented competencies as they relate to word processing terminology; responsibilities of word processing supervisors; effective communication iii

iv methods; analysis, synthesis, and prioritization of in-basket materials; responsibilities of word originators; salary administration of word processing personnel; methods for orienting/training word processing personnel; efficiency in performance of correspondence function; efficiency in performance of administrative support function; methods for promoting job satisfaction; and occupational outlook for word processing systems.

2. Prospective word processing employees should develop equipment oriented competencies as they relate to the identification and proficient operation of input/output equipment.

3. Prospective word processing employees should develop procedures oriented competencies as they relate to the purpose of word processing; methods of origination; methods for conducting feasibility studies; centralization and decentralization of word processing systems; efficiency in "flow of work;" methods for improving dictation/transcription cycle; alternative solutions for alleviating conversion problems; current and anticipated demand for word processing technological developments and procedures; records management concept; analysis of various types of documents to enhance output methods; methods for measuring employee performance; and analysis of various types of business forms for their cost-cutting potential.